Ron Carson of Lampman was the recipient of Saskatchewan's highest honour, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, in Regina on Dec. 7.
The Saskatchewan Order of Merit is the highest honour, recognizing those individuals who have contributed to the well-being of the provinces and the individuals residing within it. Since its inception in 1985, there have been a total of 184 appointments to the Order of Merit. The award, a civilian honour for merit, is intended to honour current or former residents of the province for outstanding achievements in their field.
According to these requirements, Ron Carson is a worthy recipient of the award.
Carson has been a leader in the Saskatchewan oil patch for more than three decades. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Carson Energy Services, formerly Carson Welding and Maintenance, Carson has made significant contributions to the oil and gas sector.
Not only has the company expanded to 12 locations throughout the prairie provinces, but the business employs more than 1,200 people. And to top that all off, the company has been named as one of Saskatchewan's top 100 companies, as selected by Saskatchewan Business magazine, for the past four years.
"The newest members of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit are individuals of great achievement, astonishing generosity and uncommon creativity," said Lieutenant Government Gordon Barnhart.
"The nine remarkable individuals who will be invested with the Saskatchewan Order of Merit this year are outstanding citizens who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of countless people; we are truly in their debt."
"I am proud and pleased that our province has established the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, so that we may honour these extraordinary men and women."
Known as a "philanthropist, giving generously to community and local church projects and fundraising campaigns," Carson's contributions go beyond the oil and gas sector. "Among his endeavors to support his community, his industry, his employees, he provides financial support to local amateur sporting events and local artists. He also supports local health care facilities, including supplementing the availability of emergency care required by the energy services industry. He supported the development of the First Nations White Bear and Kenosee Lake Golf Courses through the donation of equipment."
"Ronald Carson embodies the true spirit of the prairie entrepreneur; valuing the development, safety and well-being of his employee and community as much, if not more, than that of his company."
But this isn't Carson's first award. Besides being named one of the Saskatchewan's Top 100 Companies, Carson has been recognized as the Ernst & Young 2009 Prairies Region Entrepreneur of the Year for energy services. Additionally, Carson was recipient of the 'Oilman of the Year' in 1997.
The remaining eight recipients who received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit this year included: Chief Darcy Bear from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation; Joseph Bourgault, president of F.P. Bourgault Tillage Tools; Edward Busse, retired cardiac surgeon; Malcolm Jenkins, entrepreneur from Prince Albert; Courtney Milne (posthumous), photographer; Karim Nasser, professor emeritus of engineering; Shirley Schneider, retired educator and; Ruth Smillie, artistic director and CEO of Globe Theatre.
