{"id":4088,"date":"2024-12-09T00:47:44","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T06:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/?p=4088"},"modified":"2025-03-10T15:25:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T21:25:19","slug":"the-success-story-of-canadian-businessman-robert-brawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-success-story-of-canadian-businessman-robert-brawn-4088","title":{"rendered":"The Success Story of Canadian Businessman Robert Brawn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Robert Brawn was an oil executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who dedicated his life to the development of <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/uk\/eternal-2513-top-miscz-u-rajoni-edmontona-yaki-varto-vidvidaty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Edmonton<\/a> and Alberta. He was the owner of several enterprises, including Turbo Resources, Merland Exploration, and Danoil Energy. Learn more about his life and business success at <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/uk\">edmonton1.one<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2d7e3db5908\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2d7e3db5908\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-success-story-of-canadian-businessman-robert-brawn-4088\/#Childhood_and_Early_Years\" >Childhood and Early Years<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-success-story-of-canadian-businessman-robert-brawn-4088\/#First_Steps_in_Business\" >First Steps in Business<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-success-story-of-canadian-businessman-robert-brawn-4088\/#Advancing_Albertas_Energy_Sector_and_Supporting_the_Community\" >Advancing Alberta\u2019s Energy Sector and Supporting the Community<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-success-story-of-canadian-businessman-robert-brawn-4088\/#Establishing_and_Supporting_the_Brawn_Family_Foundation\" >Establishing and Supporting the Brawn Family Foundation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/eternal\/the-success-story-of-canadian-businessman-robert-brawn-4088\/#Achievements_and_Awards\" >Achievements and Awards<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Childhood_and_Early_Years\"><\/span><strong>Childhood and Early Years<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Robert Brawn was born in Calgary on September 24, 1936. His father, Jerry, was a respected newspaper editor, while his mother, Daisy, focused on raising their children. Jerry served as a role model for young Robert, teaching him the value of hard work and community involvement. Despite working six days a week, Jerry was also a volunteer reservist in the Boy Scouts and diligently documented historical events in <em>The Herald<\/em> newspaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As he grew up, Robert became involved in scouting and later played football in high school while working as a courier for <em>The Herald<\/em> and as a laborer in construction. In 1954, he graduated from Central High School. Fascinated by science, he moved to Edmonton to enroll in the mechanical engineering program at the University of Alberta. After completing his degree, he joined <em>Mobil Oil Canada<\/em>, a young and growing company at the time. Later, he transitioned to <em>International Drilling Fluids<\/em>, where he gained invaluable experience in research and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_Steps_in_Business\"><\/span><strong>First Steps in Business<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxee9fry4iojjof-huesf7_ulm44-drli67mo8thuf7gvipndn_txdmvvh-fj1ioxxws6rhfijgomfbryne6jrlgj1ynwi3msst8kfvgtam1l0r5tag8jz9xnddkguuhuya59xghewkeyrqjvobx5ilbbqyevqg_c0ten.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1956, Robert decided to start his own business by borrowing $40,000 to purchase a non-operational oil processing plant in Edmonton. His plan was to use recycled oil as a base for drilling fluids. Long before recycling became mainstream, Robert collected used motor oil from service stations and chemically processed it for reuse as a lubricant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1970, recognizing the limited number of waste-processing enterprises, he merged his plant with a network of discount service stations and founded <em>Turbo Resources<\/em>. At its peak, the red-and-black <em>Turbo<\/em> brand expanded to hundreds of stations across Western Canada. Brawn&#8217;s success was driven by his ability to purchase surplus gasoline at discounted rates from refineries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using his education and extensive experience, Robert transformed <em>Turbo<\/em> into a diversified business spanning the entire energy industry. The company sold gasoline, recycled used oil, produced drilling chemicals, and developed petroleum-based products. In the early 1970s, he partnered with an investor from <em>IDF<\/em> and became president of <em>Turbo Resources<\/em>. During this period, he focused on acquisitions, expanding into oil transportation, drilling, and exploration. Under his leadership, <em>Turbo<\/em>\u2019s revenue skyrocketed from $1 million to $500 million annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advancing_Albertas_Energy_Sector_and_Supporting_the_Community\"><\/span><strong>Advancing Alberta\u2019s Energy Sector and Supporting the Community<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxdjlygcwknwkdf2irzxroxynf12ut9frqlud9epb-00fzmodmppgm_ahti4oy-xz6qpwov8xsexbkho4r4e4vjr3fk0xqsl5ppxuw1gbxbsosfaq_63dkq_hsrb5pwg3jtizsj2qqkeyrqjvobx5ilbbqyevqg_c0ten.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the 1970s, <em>Turbo Resources<\/em> continued to thrive, expanding into geological exploration and oil drilling. Wanting to free the company from dependence on external oil suppliers, Robert fulfilled his long-time ambition in 1980\u2014he opened an oil refinery. The provincial government quickly approved his plans for a 30,000-barrel-per-day refinery near Calgary. <em>Turbo<\/em> became Canada&#8217;s first fully integrated, independent oil and gas company, handling everything from wellhead extraction to gas station sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the introduction of the National Energy Program put <em>Turbo<\/em>\u2019s future at risk, leading Brawn to leave the company. He then took over leadership of its subsidiaries, <em>Merland<\/em> and <em>Bankeno Mines<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A vocal advocate for Alberta\u2019s business community and energy sector, Robert also took on leadership roles in professional organizations. In 1981, he was elected president of the Independent Petroleum Association. In 1984, he became president of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, where he led efforts to revitalize the city\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Calgary secured the bid to host the 1988 Winter Olympics, Robert took charge of the organizing committee\u2019s budget oversight. Given Canada\u2019s lingering $1.1 billion deficit from the 1976 Montreal Olympics, he was determined to avoid another financial disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the late 1980s, Brawn returned to executive roles in the energy sector, becoming president of <em>OMV<\/em>, the Canadian branch of Austria\u2019s state oil company. He also founded the private holding company <em>Danoil Energy<\/em>, which invested in underperforming resource companies and transformed them into profitable enterprises. Over time, he turned <em>Danoil<\/em> into one of Canada\u2019s largest energy trusts. In the early 2000s, he helped rescue the bankrupt <em>Smoky River Coal<\/em> company, leading to the establishment of <em>Grande Cache Coal<\/em>, which successfully reopened the <em>Grande Cache<\/em> mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For six years, Brawn served as honorary lieutenant colonel of the 746th Calgary Communication Squadron and volunteered with the Calgary Airport Authority. He also played an active role in the Calgary and Alberta Economic Development Boards, promoting the province as an attractive destination for investment. In 2009, he was appointed chair of the Alberta Economic Development Board. Throughout his career, he served on the boards of several major corporations, including <em>Forzani Group<\/em>, <em>ATB Financial<\/em>, <em>Black Diamond Group<\/em>, and <em>Penn West Energy Trust<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Establishing_and_Supporting_the_Brawn_Family_Foundation\"><\/span><strong>Establishing and Supporting the Brawn Family Foundation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxcnq76opjol2dkzybnoxqj2obefqeh59yyvcjgkdd-2lbyubbbtuolqugsnvwqg61fw1hwvo7u2udzwd09wftrpyvyi_iansptrdssrg__bowahaurotilkrilt-yyn0pi-zchd-gkeyrqjvobx5ilbbqyevqg_c0ten.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1980, Robert and his wife, Carol, founded the Brawn Family Foundation. Together with their children, they dedicated themselves to community service, funding institutions, sports facilities, healthcare initiatives, and education programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The foundation had a profound impact on the lives of many Albertans. It helped oil and gas workers acquire new skills at the <em>Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre<\/em> in Devon. It also supported numerous medical research projects, provided scholarships to students at Olds College, and funded the <em>Semester at Sea<\/em> program at the University of Calgary. The foundation\u2019s generosity also ensured that the Calgary Zoo remained a world-class institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Achievements_and_Awards\"><\/span><strong>Achievements and Awards<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over his career, Robert Brawn received numerous accolades, including the <em>APEGA Community Service Award<\/em>, the <em>University of Calgary Distinguished Business Achievement Award<\/em>, the <em>Kay Pringle Memorial Award<\/em> from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, and the <em>Canadian Government Commemorative Medal<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2008, he was inducted into the <em>Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame<\/em>. In 2013, he joined the <em>Calgary Business Hall of Fame<\/em>. In 2022, he was awarded the <em>Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brawn\u2019s enterprises remain key players in Canada\u2019s energy sector, committed to improving the lives of Alberta\u2019s communities for generations to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Robert Brawn was an oil executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who dedicated his life to the development of Edmonton and Alberta. He was the owner of several enterprises, including Turbo Resources, Merland Exploration, and Danoil Energy. Learn more about his life and business success at edmonton1.one.\u00a0 Childhood and Early Years Robert Brawn was born in Calgary [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":469,"featured_media":4101,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1164],"tags":[2770,2775,2777,2767,2766,2772,2768,2779,2780,2778,2771,2776,2774,2773,2769],"moimportance":[81],"motype":[1158],"moformat":[83],"class_list":{"0":"post-4088","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-achievements-and-awards","9":"tag-alberta-society","10":"tag-awards","11":"tag-business-hall-of-fame","12":"tag-career","13":"tag-childhood-and-youth","14":"tag-energy-sector","15":"tag-entrepreneur","16":"tag-financial-institutions","17":"tag-first-steps-in-business","18":"tag-foundation-and-good-deeds","20":"tag-robert-brown","21":"tag-success-in-business","22":"tag-the-story-of-a-successful-businessman","23":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","24":"motype-eternal","25":"moformat-vlasna"},"modified_by":"Katya Koshevaya","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/469"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4088"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4088\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4100,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4088\/revisions\/4100"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4088"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=4088"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=4088"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=4088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}