A legacy of community and entrepreneurship: Brian Surerus awarded Freedom of the City
In a region that embraces and encourages an entrepreneurial spirit, where it’s okay to get your hands dirty and hard work is admired, last week the City of Fort St. John handed out its most prestigious honour – the Freedom of the City.
Brian Surerus grew up in an era when you could take a risk, according to his eldest son, Sean. In his six decades in the Peace Region, Brian didn’t just build a business, pipelines or raise a family - he helped build a community.
Not only did he move across the country to the Peace at 17, but a few short years later, quit his job to start Groundhog Enterprises in 1969, a company which eventually became the thriving business that it is today – Surerus Pipeline Inc.
“He took a risk when he built his first pipeline, not actually knowing what he was doing, and fell in love with it, just like he fell in love with his community. That’s the origin story of my dad,” Sean told the crowd gathered in Council chambers on July 30.
Brad Moffat, chair of the Surerus board, called Brian a “once in a generation entrepreneur,” one who is “rare in vision, and rarer still in impact.”
Brian first came to Fort St. John to take a pipeline job, and by age 22, had bought out his former employer – a move Sean said was a “big risk for a young guy.”
“Over the years I just kept on doing my own thing in my own way,” Brian said, noting that many young people have asked him what they should do when starting out.
“First, you’ve got to be ambitious, and then you’ve got to want to work, and then you want to get yourself paid for it as you grow, and then maybe you succeed,” he said. “So that’s kind of what I did.”
“Few entrepreneurs build businesses that last, let alone ones that flourish like Brian has; he consistently shares that success with the communities where his businesses operate.”
Brad Moffat, Surerus Board Chair
In dispensing that sage advice, Brian set an example for young entrepreneurs in the community. Councillor Trevor Bolin was one of those young entrepreneurs.
“Growing up in Fort St. John and getting into business at a young age, there was always one name, one name that resonated with people who were from Fort St. John – and Brian, it was your name,” Bolin said. “For the longest time, we start young and try to build up a success. The goal is to become as famous as Brian Surerus and as popular as Brian Surerus.”
The Surerus family has spent years building and giving back to the Fort St. John community. Brian’s legacy is not simply the business that he built, rather it encompasses everything he and his family have done for their community over nearly six decades.
As Mayor Lilia Hansen said in her opening remarks, the Freedom of the City Award is given out only in special circumstances.
“It recognizes a lifetime of community leadership. It recognizes a commitment to helping others. And it recognizes the tremendous impact that Brian, Connie, and the entire Surerus family have had on our community, because no one builds a legacy alone,” Hansen said.
“This is a remarkable thing about Brian’s legacy. It is woven throughout our community.”
Mayor Lilia Hansen
“While Brian is the recipient of this award, the generosity and community spirit demonstrated by the Surerus family have been felt throughout the North Peace for decades. Together, they’ve supported organizations, initiatives, and individuals throughout the North Peace.”
The Surerus family, through the Surerus Community Support Fund and other charitable contributions, has promoted arts and culture, helped strengthen community-based healthcare, supportive housing initiatives, and improved community well-being, Hansen added.
“This is a remarkable thing about Brian’s legacy. It is woven throughout our community. As the company grew and expanded across Canada, Brian and Connie never forgot where home was. They continued to invest in Fort St. John, creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and helping to build a community that so many of us are proud to call home.”
During the past five years in his role on the Surerus board, Moffat says he’s “come to understand the true depth and breadth of their service to others – and it is remarkable.
“Few entrepreneurs build businesses that last, let alone ones that flourish like Brian has; he consistently shares that success with the communities where his businesses operate,” he said.
Life isn’t easy in pipeline construction. It takes long hours, in all kinds of weather, often far from home. Brian worked those long hours and made sure everyone got paid.
“He’s worked hard to put family first for his entire life,” Sean said, adding that for his father, family extends well beyond his surname.
“It also includes the people of this great community – where he’s paid taxes, supported the arts, funded our food bank, attended untold fundraisers, sponsored teams, built a park, and quite honestly rarely says no to those who ask for assistance.”
Notable projects that Surerus worked on – projects that not only built Brian’s company but provided jobs for people throughout the region and the province – include the Alliance Pipeline, the Trans Mountain expansion, Coastal GasLink, Woodfibre LNG and the upcoming Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline.
“He’s an entrepreneur, a man with untold perseverance and vision, and his story is the story that built the West,” Sean said.
“Thank you, Mayor Hansen and Council, for recognizing my father today. It is an incredible achievement, and we thank you for your time with us.”