News Archives: Emily and Reg Isley named Honorary Chairs of GPRC President’s Ball
Tuesday, August 29th, 2006
The GPRC President’s Ball will be honoured by the special participation of Emily and Reg Isley this year. The couple, who are widely known for their support of community events such as the Ball, have accepted the invitation to help host the Ruby Anniversary event as Honorary Chairs. President’s Ball committee co-chair Linda Side says the naming of honorary chairs has been introduced as a way of expressing gratitude to long-time supporters of the College. “The Isleys have been exemplary, conscientious and very generous members of the community,” says Side. “They not only support the college but other areas of learning through their various affiliations. As a business family they are respected and held in high regard " worldwide.” Reg is an inventor and the founder of Risley Equipment. Emily is business manager of this enterprise which has grown to more than 200 people, and produces more than 40 lines of innovative forestry equipment from its home base in Grande Prairie. Reg Isley is the recipient of many professional recognitions and awards, including the recent Innovation Award presented by the Province of Alberta during Science and Technology week 2005. Reg Isley was quoted on the SciTechWeek website: “It’s not a job,” says Reg about his long career of inventing. “It’s a passion. It’s an adventure. It’s a challenge. It’s an opportunity. It all stems from the vision of the individual. If you put your heart into it, you can accomplish anything. If you love what you’re doing, then it’s not work. People ask me when I’m going to retire, but I reply that I can’t retire because I don’t work. Why would I want to retire from having fun?!” Emily and Reg Isley are known to have fun at the annual GPRC President’s Ball - and this year they will be participating in efforts to make sure all guests have a great Ball experience. Co-chairs Linda and Rhonda Side say the Isleys will be on hand to welcome guests as they arrive at the Ruby Anniversary Ball, which is a special celebration of the College and the community as GPRC celebrates 40 decades. “Our committee is busy with plans to provide our guests with an elegant evening of dining and dancing, complete with - you guessed it - rubies!” All the popular elements of the Ball tradition will be in place: elegant décor, exquisite food, entertaining surprises, and dynamite dance music! Everyone is invited to enjoy Grande Prairie’s premier black-tie event, the GPRC President’s Ball on Saturday, September 30, 2006. Tickets are $150 per person ($125 before September 8.) For information or tickets visit gprc.ab.ca or call 539-2905. For comment, please contact: Jim Henderson, President Grande Prairie Regional College 780-539-2024 jhenderson@gprc.ab.ca
