Leading the charge
In a career that has yet to span two decades, Tristone Capital founder
George Gosbee is a shining activist for better politics and better business
by Peter McKenzie-Brown
George Gosbee is an unusual mix
of builder, campaigner, and populist,
and from any of these perspectives he
seems to be on the leading edge.
Tristone Capital Inc. is his foundation,
and it is probably corporate Alberta’s
greatest recent success story. Despite
his high-profile participation on provincial
boards, he has been a leader in the industry
campaign against Alberta’s recent royalty regime changes. And as an observer
of social change, he has recognized the
growing strength of political populism
and has set up a firm that he believes will
become a leader in the field.
At 38, his credentials are a running
commentary on what his kind of energy
can create during a short career. He is the
founder, chairman, president, and chief
executive officer of Tristone Capital, the
largest oil and gas property acquisition and
divestiture business in the world. When he
sold Tristone to a U.S. competitor in 2003,
the Globe and Mail called it the “deal of
the year” because of the high sale price:
$101 million in cash and stock. Eighteen
months later, he bought back the enlarged
company for an undisclosed sum.
A 1992 graduate of the University of
Calgary, Gosbee began his career with
merchant bank Peters and Co. Ltd., where
he was appointed managing director in
his mid-twenties. He moved to Newcrest
Capital Inc. for a couple of years, and then
began to create Tristone.
“I founded Tristone in 2000 because
I saw the opportunity for a better type
of banking firm,” he recalls. “I recognized that there was a lack of confidence among oil companies dealing
with bankers that were not global or
BUILDER:
When Gosbee enters the room, he
brings a lightning-sharp mind and a
strong command of numbers and issues.
He also brings an engaging personality
and takes control of the interview—in an
unassuming way, of course. It’s a pleasure to do business with him, and that
is certainly one of the factors behind his
remarkable success.
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At a glance: George Gosbee
Education: B. Comm, University of Calgary; specialized in finance and
petroleum land management
Family: Wife Karen; sons John (age 13) and Carter ( 10); daughter Isla ( 6)
Hobbies: Participation sports (running, skiing, rock climbing, golf) and fitness
“I should write a book on what marriage has taught me about business.
