When Bev Thornton was nominated for the Gerry Gabinet Mentorship Award, something unexpected happened — more than 20 letters of support poured in from colleagues, partners and leaders across Alberta, Canada and the United States. Thornton had no idea any of it was happening.

“I was quite surprised,” says Thornton, executive director of Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Development Alliance.

“I feel very blessed to have wonderful colleagues and organizations and professionals to work with. It’s very nice to have the people that you work with take time to express appreciation.”

The award is named after Gerry Gabinet, described by Economic Developers Alberta as a giant in economic development in Alberta and across Canada. It recognizes professionals who demonstrate mentorship, leadership and a commitment to supporting others in the field.

She received the award April 16 during the EDA Xperience conference in Kananaskis.

She is only the third recipient since it was established, following Linda Erickson and Bob Aspelco.

“Gerry was a very strong member of EDA, of the board, of setting the direction and just helping raise the standard of professionalism among economic developers,” Thornton says. “After he passed away, this award was set up to remember him. I’m honoured to be the third one in that group.”

Thornton traces her involvement in what would become Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Development Alliance back to 1999, when southwestern Alberta mayors started conversations about working more collaboratively as a region.

The partnership formally began in 2001 with a memorandum of understanding and evolved into a larger regional alliance representing 15 municipalities.

While working for the provincial government, Thornton was assigned to help establish regional economic development collaborations.

“In 2011, the province changed the structure and I decided at that time to leave government and just stay with Alberta Southwest as the executive director,” she says.

Before entering economic development, Thornton taught high school in Claresholm and Pincher Creek. She moved to Alberta with her husband, Doug, whose family operated hardware and furniture businesses in Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, Claresholm and Fort Macleod.

Her philosophy on economic development is straightforward.

“I often think of economic development as being career planning for communities,” she says. “Know yourself, know your options and make a plan.”

Thornton is one of Alberta’s most-recognized economic development professionals, with career achievements spanning more than two decades.

In 2013, she was named Economic Developer of the Year by EDA. She served on the EDA board from 2014 to 2019 and was president of the organization from 2017 to 2018.

In 2017, Thornton became the first Canadian recipient of the Jeffrey A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council.

Under her leadership, AlbertaSW became one of just a few organizations in Canada to achieve Accredited Economic Development Organization status through the IEDC in 2018, with reaccreditation in 2022.

Projects led through the alliance have collectively received more than 30 provincial, national and international awards in areas including tourism, sustainability, digital marketing, investment attraction and regional collaboration.

Thornton received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023 for leadership in sustainable economic development and community service.

In announcing the Gerry Gabinet Mentorship Award, EDA described Thornton as “a mentor who meets people where they are, sees their potential and helps them move forward, often before they see it themselves.”

And, as the letters of support repeatedly highlighted, much of this work happens quietly, behind the scenes, without looking for recognition.

Her own description of mentorship is characteristically practical.

“It’s just communication — talking to people, listening to people, trying to understand where their concerns are, where their strengths are and then trying to make connections,” she says. “Connecting the dots, I guess, is one way to put it.”

Thornton is particularly proud of two initiatives.

The regional business licence program launched in 2003, allowing businesses to operate across partner municipalities without needing a separate licence in each community.

“We still sell about 300 to 350 of those every year,” she says. “It’s just a little partnership agreement that works really well.”

The Peaks to Prairies EV charging station network is an example of regional collaboration extending beyond southwestern Alberta.

“None of us do this by ourselves,” she says. “We are just really fortunate to have a group of communities who are very committed.”

Thornton encourages those considering work in economic development to embrace the diversity of backgrounds people bring to the field. She recalls the words of a former Lethbridge mayor who said he liked economic development because “we get to play what if.”

One of the biggest lessons Thornton has learned is the importance of understanding communities and adapting to changing needs.

Looking ahead, AlbertaSW is focused on deepening collaboration among its 15 member communities — connecting regional chambers of commerce for the first time, exploring shared strategies for the area’s network of small airports, and expanding value-added agriculture.

“When things are changing so rapidly, the best thing we can be doing is communicating with each other and collaborating with each other,” Thornton says. “Nothing happens if you don’t start the conversation.”

After 25 years at the centre of southwestern Alberta’s regional economic development story, Thornton shows no signs of slowing. When asked what continues to drive her, her answer is simple.

“Just the possibilities,” she says.

“Every day is different. Just when we think we have everything figured out, things change. So you’re always having to do something new.”