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wade miller A businessman rarely has to deal with disgruntled customers wearing paper bags on their heads and booing his product. But that's life these days for Wade Miller, who took a timeout from Pinnacle Staffing Solutions Inc. to become acting CEO of the embattled Winnipeg Blue Bombers in August. "The only difference is that obviously there's a much deeper connection in fans, our customers, and because it's so public," Miller says. "But our job is to create an amazing fan experience when people come to the game, and then also win football games. I fully appreciate that our fans are frustrated and I can assure you that I feel the same way." Miller, 40, co-founded Pinnacle in 2002 and helped build it into Manitoba's largest recruitment firm. Partners and staff are minding his businesses, which include two Booster Juice franchises, Elite Performance and three Elite Sports Injury clinics, while he tackles his new job. Miller has been evaluating every facet of the football club's operations, as well as fielding questions on everything from the team's losing record to whether it can repay loans for its new $200-million stadium. Why would anyone leave successful businesses and take on such a daunting challenge? "I don't think it's a challenge," Miller says. "I think it's a great opportunity and I'm really looking forward to that opportunity and helping being a part of turning it around." Miller has always excelled at overcoming obstacles on and off the field. The former University of Manitoba football player was drafted by the Bombers in 1995 and was considered a longshot to stuff his stocky five-foot-nine frame into a blue-and-gold jersey. But Miller defied the odds. His tenacity and knowledge of the game carried him through an 11-year career. Twice named an East Division all-star, he hung up his cleats after the 2005 season, leaving as the franchise's leader in career special-teams tackles. His transition to businessman was also successful. In 2007, Miller was named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40. The annual program run by Caldwell Partners International recognizes community leaders based on criteria such as vision, innovation and community involvement — qualities Miller is bringing to his new position. "The football club's going to be connected to our community further than it is now, both the business community and our sports community," he says. "That's one of the focuses." One of the first things he did was get Bombers staff re-engaged with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce by having some attend chamber meetings. He also implemented a plan for staff to call season-ticket holders every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon to say thank you and listen to their feedback. "It's all about people and it's all about empowering and leading," Miller says. "That transfers to any business or sporting team." He also continues to follow Pinnacle's guiding principles (see sidebar). "Success is best when shared; a challenge is a solution waiting to happen; treat people well," he says. "Those are things that I live by." Even his seven-year-old son Branson appears to have picked up on his dad's never-give-up attitude. "When my son was, I believe, four, he had a mini football that I couldn't blow up with air," Miller recalls. "So then I go cook a meal for us and he comes in about 10 minutes later and says, 'Well Dad, I got the football blown up.' I said, 'How'd you do that?' (He replied), 'Well Dad, if you can't do something, you've just got to try and try and try harder.' Those are lessons he reminds me of." wade miller doesn't see his new job as a challenge, but an opportunity. Above photo courtesy of Winnipeg Blue Bombers Opposite photo by Dave Darichuk pinnaCle staffing solutions' guiding prinCiples: think big: dream bigger than most people think practical; expect more than others think probable. believe in people: treat them well, accept only the best and watch the magic. thrive on Competition: Compete with ourselves to become better every day. welCome opportunities: a challenge is a solution waiting to happen. nurture growth: success is best when shared. WINTER 2013 'peg biz | 17

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