Parade of Homes

ruth Hastings, having taken over from her parents, has led the company through tremendous growth, especial- ly in the last decade, building to its current position as the largest home builder in Western canada, with a com- manding 27% share in the Winnipeg market. Van has worked alongside ruth and bri- an to set the course for more than 1,700 employees across Western canada. now, as ruth and brian Hastings slowly begin to consider stepping back, the top leadership role will transition to the third generation in the family with Van. based out of Winnipeg, he sees the company's immediate future in the expanding success and diversity of its operations across Western canada and texas. He aspires to tackle the challenges that come with rapid growth, by strengthening the unity of the Qualico brand, its divisions and its people. And he's inspired to carry on the family's tradition of giving back to the com- munity. In Winnipeg that tradition has resulted in corporate sup- port of greenspace development, including the Qualico Family centre at Assiniboine park. It also echoes Dr. Fri- esen's founding philosophy of providing people with necessary shelter, with generous support to Habitat for Humanity. Van takes a personal role in that support, raising money as a participant in Habitat's annual ride Around the Lake bike challenge. Qualico has also pro- vided support for many other community projects, sup- porting education and hospitals as well as many smaller local charities. Van will soon be fully entrusted to look after the fam- ily interests as head of Qualico. With a history of strong mentorship, industry knowledge and family values, he is well prepared to lead the company into its next stages — and to maintain its foundation for the next generation. try leaders — those working within Qualico as well as competitors like Guy Hobman and randy Jaquet, who helped him understand the need for the whole industry to work together toward common goals. While all of these mentorships were invaluable to his growth, Van's relationships with family members in the business provided him with the ultimate guidance. this started with the company's founders, Katherine and Da- vid Friesen, who were behind the original plan for his ca- reer, and continues today with ruth and brian Hastings. Van says David Friesen was like a professor of home building, with a never-ending store of knowledge to pass on. Dr. Friesen's initial philosophy for the company (which was then called Quality construction) was to pro- vide quality housing to meet the basic human need for shelter. However, the business thrived over the next six decades by leading and adapting to the desires of the changing marketplace. Katherine Friesen had a passion for the business that per- meated through all avenues of life, resulting in inspired conversations around the family dinner table. even to- day, at the age of 96 and well into her retirement years, she asks Van to keep her abreast of company news. 'In Winnipeg that tradition has resulted in corporate support of greenspace development, including the Qualico Family Centre at Assiniboine Park' << Kevin Van's home base is at Qualico's Winnipeg headquarters in Sage creek. a bust of dr. david friesen and the address at One dr. david friesen dr., are reminders of the founding philosophy. Parade of Homes Fall 2014 33

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