Glenn Gibson – Hamilton Hurricanes Alumn

 

Vice-Chairman, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

 

 

Hamilton Hurricanes: Since finishing your career with the Hurricanes, what have you been up to? What is your current role?

 

Glenn Gibson: I have retired from a full-time role in the insurance world where my last 15-years were spent working at the CEO level including global responsibilities with the largest claims administration firm in the world.  I still do some arbitration work in my profession but a lot of my current time is spent serving as a director on both public and non-public boards.  And, probably one of my more interesting roles is serving as Vice-Chairman of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

 

HH:  What does it mean to you to be a Hamilton Hurricane?

GG: I went to College after high school. So, the Hurricanes provided me with a place to play a game I loved while competing for a national championship.  During my 4-years playing on the time I made friends for life.  

 

HH: What is one thing you took away from the game of football? How did it help you develop as a person?

GG: I think it helped build self-esteem, which increased confidence in yourself.  You had the feeling you could accomplish anything because I played on very successful teams where we were constantly amazed at how well we did.

 

HH: What is one piece of advice you have received in your life that you live by?

GG: If it’s to be- its up to me.  Everyone controls their own destiny.  Your life is built by layers.  Bit by bit. In my case, I took control over my personal education.  I became a lifelong learner.  I went back to school 4 years ago to become a certified director.  Taking a written and oral exam at this stage in my life was an interesting challenge but my early football days showed we were always ready for a challenge.

 

HH: What is your 5-year plan?

GG: I never seem to wonder about- What’s next?  My volunteerism on boards always leads to something new and dynamic that is usually unexpected.  That’s part of the pathway that led to a meeting with Bob Young and Scott Mitchell of the Tiger-Cats where they convinced me to take on the role of as President of the business operations.  I did that for two years before turnings things over to a marvellous young leader, Matt Afinec.

 

HH: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?

GG: I’ve had many unique challenges in my working life.  This includes working on losses in major catastrophes to starting a new business to administer class actions.  This business exposed me to tragic, catastrophic situations like Hepatitis C and the Walkerton E. coli event.  Most of my biggest challenges, however, involve simply solving human resource issues.  Your best assets in a company wear shoes.  Solving people issues the right way is such a critical part of good leadership.

 

HH: What has been your proudest moment?

GG: Certainly, the 1972 Canadian Championship leads the pack.  No one expected us to win. When we returned to Hamilton to be greeted at City Hall by 4,000 people that was a very special part of it all.

 

HH: Who has had the biggest impact on your life?

GG: I would say a fellow named David McLauchlan.  He was my boss when he passed away from cancer at age 43.  I took on his role at age 30.  I was prepared to do it because he had invested a lot of time and effort in mentoring and guiding me in my career.
 

HH: Where is the coolest place you have visited?

GG: China.  I’ve been there a few times including a trip where I was lecturing to a large group of Chinese nationals.  It’s a fascinating country.

 

HH: Favourite hobby/What do you like to do in your free time?

GG: I do a lot of reading.  I also do a lot of research and writing as I’ve published over 250 articles on legal and insurance topics.  This helps me stay current in my profession.

 

HH: Do you still have ties to the Hurricanes? What are they?

GG: I served as a board member on the “re-start” of the Hurricanes.  I left the board when I assumed my new role with the Tiger-Cats.  I try to support the team as much as I can.

 

HH: What advice do you have for young men looking to continue their football careers?

 

GG: When I look at the photo of our 1972 team I see 40 players who all came together to do something special. But the story is not so much about what we did on a cold day in November so many years ago. The real story is about who we became.  That photo shows me CEO’s, business owners, teachers, principals, and managers in steel mill.  The value proposition of junior football is not all about playing the game of football but about the foundation of values and skills that provide leadership in our great country.