Alumni Association of Lakehead University

Balancing Success and Social Responsibility

By Maureen Arges Nadin

The Story of AJ Slivinski, HB Comm '87

When AJ Slivinski gazes out into the endless blue of the Mediterranean from his home on the island of Cyprus, he still remembers the darker and more commanding waters of another large body of water. Despite the seduction of his current exotic locale, Slivinski speaks with obvious affection about Lake Superior and Thunder Bay, the city he still proudly calls “home”. 

Slivinski is currently employed as the Managing Director of a company called “WagerLogic”, an international company that provides licensing and support for the ever growing industry of online gambling. But the road to the gaming industry and a home on a Mediterranean island was not an obvious one. Slivinski began his career in his home town right after his graduation with a Honours Degree in Commerce in 1987 and worked as Sales Representative with Maple Leaf Foods, covering the Northwestern region. The company identified a burgeoning potential and in 1989, Slivinski found himself transferred (to Calgary) and promoted (to Regional Manager of Western Canada) at the same time. He remained there for 12 years, except for a brief detour to work as the Vice President of International Sales for “Michelina’s Foods” for one year. In 2001, Slivinski found himself headed  back to Ontario when Maple Leaf transferred him once again, this time to Toronto to work as the Director of Alternate Channels for North America and assuming responsibility for sales to the non traditional food sources such as Walmart, Costco, convenience and gas stores.  Slivinski would remain there for two years before providence intervened, beckoning him in a completely different and unexpected direction.

In October of 2003, Slivinski received a call from Lewis Rose, a former division President and boss from Maple Leaf, who was now working as the CEO of “CryptoLogic”, WagerLogic’s parent company. He invited Slivinski to join the company as the VP of Business Development. This was a difficult decision, as Slivinski was staunchly loyal to Maple Leaf who had recognized and rewarded his talents and abilities. But Rose was more than just a former boss; he was a mentor and a businessman who had earned Slivinski’s respect in the past and the opportunity for a complete career change together with the opportunity to work with Rose combined to be  the siren call that he could not resist. Slivinski began his career in the pioneer gaming industry with CryptoLogic and by 2004, he accepted the position of Managing Director of the company’s operation in Cyprus. The 2 person operation that he moved overseas to manage has now expanded to nearly 100 employees and continues to grow. For Slivinski, the opportunity to work in a brand new industry and contribute to its development has been exciting and rewarding but it is surprisingly easy to turn his thoughts back to Northern Ontario and Lakehead University.

Slivinski describes his “spectacular” experience as a student at LU with a disarming sincerity. He recalls fond memories of Business Professors Bob Cameron, Art Hensell and Maria Fine who took a personal interest in his development. He also feels that the small class sizes allowed him the luxury of one to one relationships that facilitated the bonding of effective teams. Slivinksi points out that the “business case” model that the LU program was using at the time was a particularly effective teaching model and the experience that he gained doing the student “Policy Report” analysis of a volunteer business (in Sliviniski’s case, the Community Auditorium) was a profound learning experience that he has often reflected back on through the course of his career. And then there is home. Slivinski fondly recalls his enjoyment of the bountiful outdoor opportunities of hunting and fishing that his hometown offers and returns to Thunder Bay on a regular basis to visit his incredibly supportive  family and numerous long term friends.

What does the future hold for this accomplished LU grad who has embraced change as an opportunity to learn and grow? More change, it seems. Together for  26 years, Slivinski and his wife  (Mary Jo nee: Eckensweiler, LU grad, Class of 1986) have committed to one more year in Cyprus with WagerLogic. The Slivinski’s will then return to Canada to manage an independent real estate business together in Alberta, a venture that has already proven successful while being run from Cyprus. But success is more than the financial rewards and recognition that Slivinski has enjoyed to date and he feels strongly that it is now time to “give back”. With the independence that self employment brings, future plans for the Slivinski’s will be less about promotions and bonuses and more about mission work that involves  helping the poor and needy in countries that do not enjoy that standard of living that North Americans frequently take for granted. When asked for a quote that reflects his personal philosophy, he offers a glimpse into the insight that is calling him in this direction “Personal success never lasts but significance is eternal”. For AJ Slivinski, the next phase of his career and life will be about the significance of his choice to use the success he has obtained to put something back that will make a difference in the lives of others and leave a footprint of social change.