Glenn Cryer

Background

About Glenn Cryer

I come from a working-class military family where I learned the value of hard work, resilience, and leadership from a young age. My journey has been shaped by the determination to overcome challenges and help others succeed along the way. In my early years, I led my local bowling team to provincial tournaments, helped turn around a high school volleyball team that had lost every game leading up to the finals, and gained invaluable supervisory experience in various jobs. These formative experiences ignited my passion for leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. In 1992, I joined Ellis Don as an A/P clerk, where I leveraged my computer skills to streamline processes and implement estimating spreadsheets. After the company closed its Edmonton operations, I ventured into diverse opportunities—from a brief role in a meat-packing plant to starting my own AutoCad services company. My career path led me to becoming an Accounting Supervisor at a wellhead manufacturer, where I implemented ACCPAC for DOS and improved reporting processes. While pursuing my CMA, I discovered my passion for technology, leading me to a consulting role where I helped build one of Edmonton’s largest ACCPAC consultancies. In I founded C-TEC, a technology consulting firm that specialized in Sage 300. My team and I grew the business to nine employees and became a recognized technical expert in the field. After merging with ASYMA, I faced challenges in management disagreements but learned valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability. This led to my role as a consultant at ADSS, before ultimately taking on a leadership position at Universal Rail Systems. As VP of Information Technology Services at Universal Rail, I led the successful execution of IT strategies, including managing a transformative ERP, Payroll, HR, and CRM systems conversion. In doing so, I helped the company integrate multiple acquisitions and optimize IT operations across North America. Alongside a talented team of colleagues, I continue to innovate and drive growth. My career has been anything but conventional, but each step has been a building block, driven by my passion for leadership, technology, and helping organizations thrive. Even in the face of personal challenges, including undergoing cancer treatment while completing my CIO training, I’ve learned the importance of perseverance and the power of leadership in overcoming obstacles. Today, I am cancer-free. I’m proud of the path I’ve taken and excited for the future, where I can continue to lead, innovate, and inspire others to achieve their full potential.