Richard Pootmans is a Canadian politician who served as the councillor for Ward 6 on the Calgary City Council. Pootmans initially served two terms from 2010 to 2017 before a one-term hiatus during which he co-founded a consultancy. He returned to council following the 2021 municipal election.[2] Pootmans resigned from his position on November 26,2024,citing "personal and family reasons," less than a year from the 2025 Calgary municipal election.[3]
Mount Royal University (Petroleum Land Management) Class of 1979
University of Calgary (MBA) 1996
Awards
Pootmans was the 2009 recipient of the Economic Development Alberta Economic Developer of the Year.[1]
Career before politics
Pootmans was a founding member of the 17th AveBusiness Improvement Area (BIA),which became the first BIA established in Calgary on September 18,1984. Pootmans was a business owner on the business corridor at the time,and advocated for investment in the "deteriorating streetscape" as competition with Chinook Centre and the then-unfinished Eau Claire Market loomed.[4]
Prior to being elected in 2010,Pootmans taught as an instructor for 5 years at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. He was Senior Business Development Manager,Real Estate –Calgary Economic Development,Financial Analyst;Vice President,Installations –SMED International,Consultant;Financial management,business strategy –TractionWorks,Co-owner –PORTS International stores,Calgary,and worked as a Landman –Hudson's Bay Oil and Gas Company,Dome Petroleum.[1]
Electoral record
2010 municipal election
Pootmans was first elected to serve Ward 6 in the 2010 election,taking 31% of the votes in a field of 10 candidates.[5]
2013 municipal election
Pootmans was reelected in the 2013 election by capturing 51% of the votes.[6]
2021 municipal election
After a four-year hiatus from politics,Pootmans sought election in Ward 6 during the 2021 municipal election. His successor,Jeff Davison,did not run for council,instead seeking the mayoralty. Pootmans won with 48% of the vote on October 18.[7]
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