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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A former Hay River resident has been recognized for his varied contributions to Calgary.

Rod Gonzales was recently named among the Top 40 Under 40 in the Alberta city by the business magazine CalgaryInc.

Gonzales, 38, said he was shocked to be included in the list of prominent Calgarians.

"I was absolutely floored and humbled by it," he said.

This year's list includes noted female hockey player and Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser. In 2007, country singer Paul Brandt was among those honoured.

"It's quite a prestigious group of people who have been on that list," Gonzales said.

Others have included businesspeople, educators, artists, athletes and many others.

Gonzales, who lived in Hay River from age five until graduating from Diamond Jenness Secondary school, is a business manager with Colt Engineering Corp.

In that job, he did strategic planning leading to last year's acquisition of Colt Engineering by the Australian firm WorleyParsons.

"It created the largest engineering consulting company in hydrocarbons in the world," he said.

Gonzales was nominated for the Top 40 Under 40 recognition by the CEO of Colt Engineering and separately by the chairman of one of the arts board he is a member of.

Aside from being known in business circles, he is a classical pianist, who plays in his church.

He also sings with the chorus of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary Opera.

Gonzales began playing piano at age five in Hay River under the guidance of his first teacher, the well-known Grace Mitts.

After leaving Hay River, he earned a master's degree in genetics and a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering.

Gonzales said he doesn't want to toot his own horn, but thinks young people in the North should know their dreams can come true.

He also thanked the people of Hay River for supporting him while he was growing up.

His parents, Romeo and Tessie Gonzales, are long-time residents of Hay River and prominent members of the town's Filipino community.

Tessie Gonzales said she and her husband are very happy for their son's success.

"I think he's a role model for all students in the territories," she said, adding he proves young people educated in the North can compete and succeed in the south.