One of St. Albert’s media businessmen has received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Northern Institute of Technology.
Rob LeLacheur, a 1994 graduate of NAIT’s business program and founder of Road 55, was presented with the award on April 12. Road 55 is a St. Albert-based content creator that develops strategies and brings ideas to life whether it’s shaping videos or making a marketing plan.
“When they first called me a bunch of alarm bells went off. I was the only one to receive the award, and I was feeling some impostor syndrome. They have tens of thousands of graduates every year and I feel honoured they gave it to me,” said LeLacheur.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented once a year and he joins a pantheon of achievers such as Patrick Laforge, the Oilers former president and CEO; Holger Peterson, record producer; and Dr. Ray V. Rajotte, a pioneer in working towards a cure for diabetes.
The St. Albert businessman sees himself as a connector who brings people together to create business projects. It’s this vision and determination that has allowed LeLacheur to never give up during the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur.
However, over the years he has developed a relationship with NAIT students sharing experiences and perspectives. His expertise spans a broad spectrum from advertising sales and publishing to casino management and entrepreneurship.
Students from the JR Shaw School of Business to Digital Cinematography to Radio and Television have benefited from LeLacheur’s contributions as a mentor, guest speaker and as a competition judge. He’s also offered work experience programs for students at Road 55.
“It definitely fulfills you giving back. I’m proud of being an alumnus, and it’s nice to stay connected. And in my business, I hope to give more time and expertise further down the road. It’s nice for networking and it’s nice to look back. It’s great on that front and creates a win-win situation,” he said.
LeLacheur is widely known throughout St. Albert for starting the St. Albert Leader, a local community newspaper. Initially, the venture was successful. But by 2015, digital changes in journalism and advertising dramatically shifted the traditional business model.
He made the difficult decision to close the offices. But LeLacheur refused to give up on his business dreams and two years later he launched Road 55.
LeLacheur started his marketing background one hour after writing his last NAIT exam.
“I immediately started at the Edmonton Sun in advertising, and it kicked off a long and illustrious career. The first time I worked there was for six years and then with the Journal for eight years.”
LeLacheur also published Saint City News. Under his guidance and at the paper’s peak, it was named best community newspaper in Alberta by the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association.
Throughout the past 20 years, he’s volunteered and chaired committees for St. Albert’s economic development, Chamber of Commerce and the Arts and Heritage Foundation.
“I feel completely energized. I’m in my best lane and I’m in my happiest place when I’m creating. My life is balanced – one foot in the creative world, one foot in the business world. There’s always a new project on tap and I love business networking. This award stems from NAIT and all its various programs that help build community.”
