From ski patroller and bartender to interim president of Brewster Travel Canada, Banff’s Dave McKenna has come a long way.
McKenna is taking over the reigns from Michael Hannan, former president of Brewster and the Viad Travel & Recreation Group, who recently resigned from the company for personal reasons.
Hannan will be available on a consulting basis to ensure a smooth leadership transition. McKenna, who was vice-president of hotels and attractions for Brewster, will now report to Paul Dykstra, Viad’s chairman, president and CEO.
“I’m quite honoured to be following in the footsteps of really talented leaders before me,” said McKenna. “As a long-term local in Banff, it’s a company that has had a long-standing reputation to be a great company to work for and build a career with.”
McKenna has played a critical role in business development efforts at Brewster over the past six years, including approval and construction of the Glacier Skywalk and the acquisition of the Banff International Hotel.
He said he looks forward to the new job, including the May opening of the controversial Glacier Skywalk – a glass-floored observation deck overlooking Sunwapta Valley in Jasper National Park.
“I think that some people have some philosophical objections to the project going forward,” he said. “But now the project is completed, Brewster is focused on delivering world-class interpretation and visitor experience.”
McKenna, who is married to Banff Lake Louise Tourism president and CEO Julie Canning, came to Banff from eastern Canada in fall 1990, and took his first job here as a supervisor at the Chimney Corner bar at Sunshine ski resort.
During his seven years at Sunshine, he was also beverage manager, volunteer firefighter, and ski patroller, worked with the evening emergency response team and evening security at the ski resort.
He was one of several people instrumental in the opening of St. James’s Gate and Maple Leaf restaurants.
In 2000, McKenna helped re-open the Primrose Restaurant at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, and was asked to stay on as director of food and beverage, at which time Eden Dining Room achieved CAA/AAA Five Diamond status.
The Eden restaurant exclusively represents Alberta in the CAA/AAA Five Diamond category and was one of only five restaurants in Canada, and the only one west of Toronto, rated at the Five Diamond level for 2013.
“That was a huge deal,” said McKenna. “That was a two-year massive effort and amazing attention to detail.”
McKenna decided he liked the hotel business and became director of operations at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis from 2004 to 2006, and after commuting for a couple of years, came back to Banff in 2004 to take on the role of general manager of Brewster’s Motel Royal Hotel.
In 2008, he became vice-president of hotels and attractions for Brewster, a position he held until Hannan’s resignation in December, at which time he was promoted to interim president.
McKenna said he would never have guessed where his career path would take him.
“I’d love to say I had it all charted out, but that would be untrue, “ he said. “Banff, and probably resort communities like Banff, present absolutely wonderful opportunities for people to work hard, self educate and always be willing to learn.”
McKenna also served as chair of the Banff Community Foundation for five years, has sat on the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Environment (AMPPE) since 1998 and Banff Lake Louise Hotel Motel Association since 2006.
“I am all about the community. I am passionate about where I live,” he said.
“Julie and I have decided to make this our home. I have great respect for not just Brewster, but an awful lot of talented and exceptional leaders out there.”
