Ronald Southern

Canadian businessman Ronald Southern is the founder of ATCO Group and he has an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion according to Forbes as of March 2013. Aside from the power and utility company that he started in 1947, he also founded the Spruce Meadows equestrian center. Mr. Southern’s business ventures led to his estimated net worth of $1.7 billion and this made him the twentieth richest person in Canada and the 882nd in the list of World Billionaires. In the past year, his net worth was up by $500 million with the surge the company’s stock. ATCO Group began in 1947 when he and his father each invested $2,000 in the original Alberta Trailer Hire Co. which later became ATCO. They bought fifteen utility trailers and rented them out in the Calgary area. They started importing and marketing mobile homes in the U.S. In the 1970’s, Ronald and his father moved into the oil and gas business. They later expanded into electricity in the 1980’s. Currently, the company has business interests in the structures and logistics, energy, utilities, and technology industries. He served as president for 48 years. He was also the chairman of ATCO Ltd. and the Canadian Utilities until 2012. His daughter, Nancy, is the president, chief executive officer, and chairwoman of ATCO. Ronald Southern is the owner of Spruce Meadows, an equestrian complex outside Calgary. It is known for producing Olympic riders such as his daughter, Linda. He is a graduated of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science degree in medicine.