On the last page of every issue of Industry West, we find a Saskatchewan business person or leader to answer our version of the Proust Questionnaire. Marcel Proust made the questionnaire famous, believing that 35 specific questions could reveal a person’s true nature. We grabbed this idea—you’ve probably seen it in Vanity Fair—and made our own version. The first five questions are ours, and then we ask our subject to pick their favourite Proust questions to answer.
Say hello to Phil Germain, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board. Here’s what he had to say.
- Where are you from? Chauvin, Alberta
- Where did you attend school and what did you study? I attended Red Deer College where I got my bachelor of arts diploma and the University of Alberta where I got my B.Sc. in psychology.
- What is your career history? I started off as a safety trainer for the Alberta Construction Safety Association out of Edmonton. I moved to Saskatoon in 1995 to take on the role of a safety advisor for the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association. From 1998 to 2005, I managed the Agricultural Manufacturers’ Safety Program. In 2005, I was hired as the executive director of prevention for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). In 2012, I was hired as the vice-president of prevention and employer services for the WCB. In 2019, I was hired as the CEO for the WCB.
- What’s the best piece of business or career advice you have or have been given? There is no such thing as a dumb question.
- What’s your favourite thing about Saskatchewan? Rider Pride. Even though I’m an Edmonton Eskimos fan, you’ve got to love and respect the heart of Rider fans.
- What is your greatest extravagance? My wife Robyn and I love to go to concerts with friends. Probably too many, but we really enjoy live music.
- When and where were you happiest? During family vacations. My family says there is a “trip Phil” and a “regular Phil.” Apparently, they like “trip Phil” way better.
- Which talent would you most like to have? I’d love to learn how to play the guitar. I’ve tried to teach myself a few times, but I’ve decided I’ll wait until my life is not so hectic. You need to practice every day and my work and personal life are just too busy right now to have the time to practice every day.
- If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? A country music artist (Eric Church, Allan Jackson, George Strait or Garth Brooks).
- What do you most value in your friends? Easy going and love to have fun.