Al Browne

2017 Update

Al Browne (HRA '72), restauranteur, co-owner of Chipmaster and RV Restoration

"I was still in the restaurant business when I received my award. Since then, I've sold off three and have two restaurants left, one in Edmonton and one in Winnipeg. My partner manages them, so I am not involved in the day-to-day business. I was happy to get out. It's a young person's business and we are putting out some great students through SAIT. It's their turn to take over. I am semi-retired now and life looks good. I go fishing a lot. And my wife and I travel down to the United States often with our fifth wheel.

About a year ago, I decided I wasn't active enough, so I bought a couple of new businesses. I am now in the business of paint chip repairs on cars with Chipmaster, which services all the new car dealerships outside of Calgary. I know there are other alumni who have retired, but because of their personalities, it's hard to turn everything off. I'm like that too. I've found it rather exciting to do something different than what I was involved in for 45 years.

I'm also working closely with Jason Kenney's campaign. I've always been involved in politics and I've known him for 15 years. I will be doing that until after the PC leadership campaign. I will see how it goes from there. I'm not saying I'm going to run, but I will have some role to play."

Although semi-retired from the restaurant business (he still owns two) after 45 years, Al Browne is on the second phase of his career with two recently acquired franchises, Chipmaster and RV Restoration. In his downtime, Al enjoys fishing for salmon on the West Coast, as well as trapping crab and prawns, and vacationing south of the border with his wife.