Ruth Dyck Retires After 43 Years at Calian

After a 43-year career at SED/Calian, Ruth Dyck is retiring effective May 31, 2022, as manager of administrative support. Ruth began her career as a divisional secretary for the Industrial Products Division that handled the agricultural products side of SED’s business. This division spun off as Field Technologies and was sold to Flexicoil, whose products are still manufactured at CNH Industrial today.

As a young and growing company, changes were continuous through reorganizations and the formation of subsidiary companies.

Ruth advanced to an administrative supervisor position and assumed the duties of assistant corporate secretary to the board of directors for Caelum Technologies, one of SED’s subsidiary companies. When Caelum Technologies was disbanded, she accepted the executive assistant position with another SED subsidiary called SED Research Ltd. This subsidiary moved on to be its own company called Wavecom, and is known today as Vecima Networks.

Ruth continued to adapt and embrace change with the various roles she has held within the company.

When SED moved into its building at Innovation Place, employees from seven different offices and manufacturing buildings worked together in one facility for the first time. This move resulted in more staff shuffling and Ruth relocated to the executive office, filling the executive assistant position, and from there she was promoted to her current position as manager of administrative support.

Along with all the internal company changes, there were also several changes in ownership and name. A company that started with a small group of employees out of the Space Engineering Division at the University of Saskatchewan had just become an incorporated company at the start of Ruth’s career. The company was later purchased by Fleet Aerospace, an Ontario-based company and in 1990 it was purchased by its current owner, Calian.

“It’s been quite a journey and enjoyable ride,” says Ruth. “The technology advancement I’ve seen in the office environment over four decades that make our jobs easier and more efficient is phenomenal. The company projects have been extremely exciting, and I was always impressed that a company in the prairies could compete so successfully in the massive satellite communications industry providing services all over the world. It is also great that several local thriving companies started through divisions or subsidiaries of SED, and I was able to be part of that. It’s mind-boggling to think that I was six years old when SED was a start-up company, and it was only 14 years old when I started as an employee. I have personally met three of the original five founders and to see where the company is today is truly remarkable; the evolvement of projects from rocket payloads, and agricultural and dialer products, to the amazing satellite communication projects we can all be so proud of today.”

“Shortly after I joined SED some 35 years ago, Ruth was assigned to be my admin assistant through a reorganization,” says Ray Basler, Calian Board Member and past President of SED Systems. “Over the next three decades she was always there for me, providing key support as we navigated the complexity and challenges of the growing business. Her work ethic, willingness to take on any task and her strict attention to confidentiality made her an excellent executive assistant. Ruth dealt with every employee, customer and supplier in a professional and cheerful manner and was truly liked by all. She was an immense help to me in my career and Calian AT is a better place because of her. I still consider her one of my closest personal friends and I am so proud to see that after a very successful career with Calian, she will transition to a well-earned retirement.”

“Continuing my career with SED/Calian was never in question,” says Ruth. “There were enough changes in the company and my position to keep the job fresh, and it’s been such an amazing company to work for. I’ve been blessed and it’s a privilege to be part of such dedicated, loyal, hard-working employees who get the work done and have fun along the way. I enjoyed the ‘work family’ vibe. We are also fortunate to be working in such a beautiful park at Innovation Place. Making the decision to retire when you love your job, the company, and the people is not an easy one to make. The majority of my life has been spent here and I will continue to watch the ongoing success of this amazing company.”

“In all of my interactions with Ruth, she epitomized the ‘get it done’ attitude that I know has been valued by the Saskatoon team since she joined,” says Calian’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Ford. “No matter the topic or task, Ruth was always willing to help. I appreciated her positive energy and warm welcome to the office during my visits. Her support as I was learning the SED and Advanced Technologies group business was critical in my transition to CEO. I wish Ruth the best in her well-deserved retirement.”

“I’m looking forward to travelling with my husband and spending more time with my three young grandchildren” adds Ruth. “Summer will see more time at the lake relaxing or fishing, and I’ll have time to enjoy a good book on the deck. My personal business is now in its eleventh year so I will have more time to spend there as I wish. I’ve also thought about possibly picking up some hobbies I haven’t had time for in 30 years. Who knows… it’s a blank canvas now and to see what the next chapter of life will bring without morning alarms is exciting.”

“Words cannot express the value and loyalty that Ruth has given Calian in her 43-year long career with us,” says Calian, Advanced Technologies President Patrick Thera. “She has supported eight leaders of this organization and I am extremely appreciative of the support she has provided me in the time I have known her. She has taken on every challenge we placed on her and has always performed her duties with dedication and professionalism. Ruth will be truly missed.”