Myron Tetreault (BAdmin’88) wins Telfer’s R. Trudeau medal 2024

Myron Tetreault (BAdmin’88) has been part of a team that set four Guinness World Records in running. A serial entrepreneur, he takes business just as seriously. He is currently the chairman of Calafate Holdings, a consulting and investment management company. 

In the past, Myron worked as a corporate lawyer. Heeding the call of entrepreneurship, he transitioned to the private sector and led a public oilfield services company from startup to $30 million in revenue. Then he co-founded a technology company, co-founded a successful private school, and chaired one of the largest foothills gas producers in North America. 

Through Calafate Holdings, which Myron established in 1999, he’s been a founding investor and principal for real estate ventures. More recently, he is the Chairman of Stoked Oats, a superfood company selling oat-based food products across North America. This new health-focused venture is the perfect fit for the athletic entrepreneur who was an all-star of the Canadian University water polo league and a competitive swimmer. That was just a part of his sports journey; since then, he’s completed many marathons, Ironman triathlon races, and mountain ascents. 

Myron is just as passionate about giving back as he is about business and sports—together with his wife, he created the Myron & Catherine Tetreault Foundation, which supports sports, education, and community building. A generous donor to the Telfer School of Management, he is an engaged alumnus of uOttawa. In 2016, he won the Dean’s Philos Award for his philanthropy. 

This year, Myron brought his company Stoked Oats to the 2024 Michel Cloutier Case Competition, a cornerstone project for Bachelor of Commerce Marketing students, and judged the final presentations.  

For his incredible achievements in business, generous contribution to the community, and active engagement with his alma mater, Telfer is proud to honour Myron Tetreault with the R. Trudeau Medal this year.   

“uOttawa provided a foundation for my career” 

Myron knew he wanted to be in business when he was still in high school. But he didn’t have mentors or capital back then. With his parents and siblings working in education, he set out to chart a new path for himself.

He chose to go to uOttawa for three reasons: first, his father had studied there, second, the bilingual university was a perfect fit for the French-Canadian student, and third, he wanted to play on the Gee-Gees University water polo team.

Arriving at uOttawa from Regina at just 18 years old, he immediately made friends in his Stanton residence and got on the water polo team. It was a busy time, from working part-time as a second-language monitor at a local high school to team practices and socializing to studying.

“It was my first time living away from home,” adds Myron. “When I reflect on my time at university, I still remember my professor in Business Law. That class led me to my decision to go into corporate law. I had a wonderful time at uOttawa and it provided the foundation for my career.” 

The first foray into entrepreneurship 

Finally, while studying business, Myron enjoyed the academics and wanted to get some practical experience on top of it. He saw a booth advertising Student Painters franchises at a job fair and knew he found his first venture. “It was a great way to get experience running a business with support,” says Myron. 

He spent multiple weekends in training, learning how to do payroll, marketing and sales, and hiring and managing employees. He ran his Student Painters franchise the summer after graduating with his Bachelor of Administration degree and for another summer after a year of travels.  

“I was featured in a newspaper with my first franchise in Regina and we got 90 phone calls looking for quotes,” remembers Myron. “I hired three more crews and I’d get up at 5 am to deliver paint, then work on quotes in the evening. I liked the feeling of being my own boss.” He did so well financially that he paid off his student loans and embarked on more travels.  

Combining a law degree with business 

Myron didn’t want to work in painting forever. Through discussions with his close circle, he decided to enter the world of business through corporate law. Four years after graduating from uOttawa, he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Saskatchewan and was hired by a large law firm.

“I worked on mergers, acquisitions and financings,” explains Myron, “It was a great way for me to work with senior decision-makers on important transactions early on in my career. I developed a lot of relationships and grew my skillset in business.” 

After almost six years of practicing corporate and securities law, he began accomplishing his dream of being in business. He went into entrepreneurship full-time, setting up and founding businesses.  

In parallel, he began a 27-year involvement with PHX Energy Services, an innovative drilling technology provider for oil & gas producers in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. First, he worked as General Counsel, assisting with acquisitions, financing, strategy, and litigation. In 2007, he became a Director and today is the Lead Director of the company. Myron helped guide the company from its early stages to revenues of more than $650 million.  

Why giving back is so important 

After finding success in business and entrepreneurship, Myron knew it was time to start paying it forward.

Coming from a family that was used to giving back, it was a natural decision. His family housed Canadian newcomers and his father was involved in the church, always caring for their community and setting a good example for the children. “If you have some success as an entrepreneur, you have an obligation to give back,” says Myron.

Carrying the family torch, he generously gives back with his wife Catherine through their Foundation, supporting causes aligned with their values, such as sports, education, and community.  

Giving back to uOttawa

“I’m lucky to have a relationship with both the former and the current Dean at Telfer,” adds Myron. “When we visited the school, I liked what they have done since my time there and we decided to give back. I think highly of uOttawa and am glad to be more involved now.” 

Entering his company Stoked Oats into the Michel Cloutier Marketing Competition this past winter was a no-brainer for the entrepreneur. He enjoyed working with many energetic students and received creative marketing ideas. 

“It was a great way to meet the students,” says Myron. “They had wonderful ideas about our French market and social media. I am really impressed with how the students performed in the competition." 

“Entrepreneurship has no limits” 

From oil and gas to real estate, technology, education and food, Myron is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of success across various industries. This incredible level of achievement and business acumen would be impossible if not for an innate motivation and confidence.

“Entrepreneurship leaves no limits to what you can accomplish,” he explains. “Our culture says you have to go to school, get a job, and earn a specific amount of money. You are constrained within that box. Entrepreneurship allows much more creativity for return and growth.” 

Beyond the limitless potential of founding and running your own company, Myron particularly enjoys the process of bringing an idea to fruition.  

The joys of creating and scaling a business

In August of 2024, he retired from his roles with the Webber Academy school after 30 years. A private non-denominational school in Calgary, the Academy grew from startup to over 1000 students on 47 acres of land with the help of Myron’s leadership. Myron assisted the co-founder Dr. Neil Webber with the business plan and financing, was the founding Chairman and helped to raise funds for the building of a $14 million performance arts centre, a $2 million high school science centre and a $28 million Athletic Park.

“Reflecting on this journey, I found a fax Dr. Webber sent me in 1994, outlining his ideas for the creation of the school,” remembers Myron. “Today it’s a huge campus and a successful school. It’s been pretty exciting watching it happen from that initial idea.”

In the early years of his career, he was more involved in day-to-day operations of the various companies he helped create. Today, he works at the board level, overseeing strategic planning and risk management.  

How sports help create the right company culture

“At this stage, what really motivates me is working with others to realize their entrepreneurial dreams,” adds Myron. “I use my experience to create the right dynamic in the company and to be a sounding board for the management team.”

Developing the right culture and atmosphere is no easy feat. And it’s actually his background in team-based sports that helped develop this important skill.

Growing up in sports, Myron started competitive swimming at 6 years old. From there, he has always loved the strong bonds that sports develop. To this day, his former teammates remain part of his social network. But the individual aspect is just as important. Sports teach you to compete against your prior self and to become a better person. Equally applicable to business, this momentum is achieved only with consistency. Showing up every day is what pays off in the long term and leads to growth in both sports and career.

Today, Myron has achieved Guinness World Records in running, and has climbed the highest mountains in Canada, Africa, the Western Hemisphere, and Mexico. He’s completed over 20 marathons and ultramarathons, and five Ironman triathlon races, winning Athlete of the Year and National Age Group Champion titles in the process.

Sports and business are complimentary

“When I first wanted to do an Ironman, it seemed monumental,” remembers Myron. “I broke down how I wanted to prepare for it, and what I needed to do on a day-to-day basis over the next year, creating my vision to successfully complete the race.”

This is the perfect example of a sports-based skill that is invaluable in business. Meticulous planning, physical activity, proper sleeping, and a healthy diet all help, too. “I train to get better and it makes my life better too. Sports is a passion of mine that helps me in my business and community work.” 

Myron Tetreault’s advice to current Telfer students

When advising current Telfer students, Myron reiterates how crucial physical health is to all aspects of our lives, especially for entrepreneurs. It’s easy to get caught up in working long hours and the stress of business, but alongside that, you must maintain your health.

“Think about how work fits into your overall life,” he adds. “I have buckets: family & personal life, my physical & emotional health, and my business & financial health.” 

You may not have balance all the time as an entrepreneur but when you visualize your buckets and focus on keeping them full over time, you will see how success in your business has positive effects on other areas of life. Therefore, if you’re healthy, you will be more productive and perform well in your business too. 

We look forward to seeing how many more records Myron Tetrault (BAdmin’88) will break in his business and sports careers. We are grateful to Myron for his ongoing support of Telfer and his generous philanthropy.