Travis Gallup (Environmental Technology ’11) grew up on the Bar 44 Ranch, his family’s farm near Water Valley, Alta., before working as a ranch hand for his parents for six years. Both experiences instilled an unshakeable work ethic in him — there is no cutting corners when helping to birth calves in -40 C weather.

The same is true for Gallup today as he develops safety protocols for leading Canadian dairy company Lactalis Canada.

Gallup’s time on the farm, followed by a decade coordinating environmental, health and safety standards at a Calgary recycling plant, led to his current work as Environmental, Health and Safety Advisor.

“It was just a natural progression,” he says, citing a combined interest in safety, injury prevention, environmental protection and the production of from-scratch nutrition.

The dairy industry’s importance to Canada’s economy was also a motivating factor. Lactalis Canada has more than 50 operating sites across the country, and the Dairy Farmers of Canada reported in 2025 that dairy, eggs and poultry production provide over 430,000 full-time jobs and contribute more than $45 billion to Canada’s GDP.

Gallup talks with LINK writer Giselle Wedemire about giving back, lifelong learning and calling the shots.

Drawn to dairy safety

In his current role, Gallup develops safety protocols and ensures Lactalis Canada meets important regulatory requirements.

“On the environmental side of things, I manage our waste and ensure that what goes down our drains can be released into our water supply,” he says. “On the safety side, I enforce protocols to ensure workers in the manufacturing plant go home safely, with all 10 fingers and all 10 toes.”

Calling the shots

As a student, Gallup worked part-time as a game announcer for SAIT Trojans basketball and volleyball games. It was a fun job that “didn’t feel like a job,” though it was stressful to keep spectators entertained while accurately reporting on a game’s plays. However, he enjoyed announcing games because it allowed him to improvise, let loose and get crowds involved with fun activities.

While he hasn’t been to Trojans games recently, coaching his daughter’s soccer games has kept sports in his life in a meaningful way.

Meaningful support

Last October, as part of SAIT’s annual Giving Day campaign, Gallup made his first-ever donation to SAIT. Gallup sees his gift in support of the Real Futures campaign — a fundraising initiative raising $150 million to transform how, who and what SAIT teaches — as a way of giving back to the school that helped him succeed.

“I wanted to pay it forward and pave the way for students’ successes,” he says. “It's so important to give back so hard-working students have everything they need to get the most out of their education.”

Connected to SAIT’s past

In 1940, Gallup’s great-grandmother, Evelyn Oliver, graduated from the Normal School, which shared what is now called Heritage Hall with the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (now known as SAIT).

Then, in 1977 his father, Garry Gallup, earned his Plant Operation Fourth Class at SAIT and played on the Trojans men’s Basketball team (picture below).

“It gives me a sense of pride to be part of three generations who have walked SAIT’s hallways,” Travis Gallup says. “I believe the positive influence of education from this school, its great teachers and its staff have helped me and my family not only navigate life but also succeed and thrive."

Learning through a lifetime 

"I think it's very important that we never stop learning," says Gallup, who is currently working towards a risk management designation. He recommends everyone future-proof their skills by reading books, listening to educational podcasts, absorbing the knowledge available on YouTube and investing in continuing education courses.

"Do whatever you can to keep learning. You never know what could shake the tree and stir your imagination."

Attributions

1. Source image: “Calgary Normal School yearbook, 1939–1940,” 1939–1940, (CU110618717), by Unknown. Courtesy of the University Archives, Road to Autonomy Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary. Image digitally restored and upscaled using OpenAI DALL·E (2025).
2. SAIT Yearbook 1977. Courtesy SAIT Archives