Don Smith
About Don Smith
Don Smith serves as the Vice President of Petroleum and Innovation at United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative Limited, where he has worked since 2020. He has extensive experience in the petroleum industry, having held various leadership roles at Suncor Energy for over two decades.
Current Role at UFA
Don Smith serves as the Vice President of Petroleum and Innovation at United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative Limited. He has held this position since 2020, overseeing the largest cardlock network in Alberta, which provides fuels and lubricants to members and customers. In this role, he collaborates with the senior leadership team and the Board of Directors to ensure that business operations align with UFA's mandate. Smith also leads the operations of a wholly owned downstream maintenance and construction business under the Bar W and All Peace Petroleum brands.
Previous Experience at Suncor Energy
Before joining UFA, Don Smith had an extensive career at Suncor Energy, where he held several key positions. He worked as the Director of Distribution Operations and National Sales from 2003 to 2007, and as the Director of Eastern Product Supply from 2009 to 2015. His earlier roles included Manager of Metro Depot, Manager of Product Trading, Manager of Crude Oil Logistics, Manager of Performance Analysis, and Coordinator of Crude Oil Marketing. His tenure at Suncor Energy spanned from 1993 to 2015.
Education and Professional Development
Don Smith studied at the University of Calgary, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from 1987 to 1991. He also attended Sir Winston Churchill High School from 1984 to 1986. In 2017, he furthered his education by completing the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a program that lasted 11 months.
Leadership in Innovation Initiatives
In his role at UFA, Don Smith plays a key part in the organization's innovation initiatives. He focuses on implementing transformative technology and processes that enhance the cooperative's operations. His leadership in this area is vital for driving advancements that align with UFA's strategic objectives.