Don Shaw, Calgary, Celebrates Retirement

After more than four decades on the road – from mountain resorts to prairie towns – Don Shaw is beginning a well-earned retirement. The Calgary team gathered with colleagues, friends, and family to honor a career that helped shape Prinoth’s Western Canadian presence and left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him.

A Career Built on Joy and Commitment

In his speech, Don reflected on how quickly the years passed. “It never really felt like work,” he said. “You get up, start the truck, and you’re happy to go.” His territory took him across the West, where customers became long-time friends and every visit felt like a welcome.

Leading by Example
Throughout the celebration, one theme stood out: Don built his legacy on consistency, professionalism, kindness, and a tireless work ethic.

Managers, colleagues, and customers shared how Don was the steady presence they could always count on. Even during annual reviews – when he joked for years that he had “one more year left” – everyone hoped he’d stay. His experience, customer knowledge, and calm approach guided new managers stepping into their roles.

Colleagues describe Don as steady, professional, and consistently positive—someone who led by example and genuinely cared. His experience and reliability gave teams confidence during transitions. As many said, “If I can work like Don at his age, I’ll be doing great.”

Stories from the Early Days
The celebration also brought back legendary stories. Don reportedly joined the team after helping move an entire factory’s worth of parts in a single weekend, an “impossible” task he not only completed, but organized.

There were laughs about Don’s childhood in Fairview and his years as Prinoth’s unofficial Santa Claus at holiday parties – costume mishaps, kids’ wide-eyed excitement, and all.

Tribute to His Decades of Dedication

He’s team surprised him with a Swarovski crystal snowcat, custom plaque/inscription (handmade by Parts Manager Brad Marshal), and diecast Bison and Panther models as a nod to the machines that shaped his long career. They also gave him A&W gift cards, an affectionate nod to his habit of navigating the West based on every A&W along the highway.

Gratitude and the Next Chapter

Don expressed heartfelt thanks to his wife Lorraine, his children Denise and Darwin, and their families for supporting him through long days and many miles. With 18 family members now gathering for holidays, including great-grandchildren, he’s stepping into retirement with a full and busy home life ahead.

Changing of the Guard

Don has big shoes to fill, and the newest Calgary Team member, Bryce Verhelst, is up to the task.

Bryce brings a strong blend of hands-on industry experience and customer-focused sales expertise to the Prinoth team. He began his career in the construction industry before moving into sales, spending five years as a territory representative across Saskatchewan and Alberta. Known for building genuine connections, Bryce is passionate about understanding customers’ needs and uncovering new opportunities – sometimes by literally getting lost and discovering what’s around the next corner.

A lifelong mountain enthusiast, Bryce started snowboarding at age 11 at Nakiska and spent his teens also riding Sunshine and Lake Louise. When he’s not talking grooming equipment or exploring new terrain, you’ll find him on the golf course.

From all of us at Prinoth: thank you, Don, for your loyalty, leadership, and genuine kindness. Congratulations on over 40 remarkable years. Enjoy every moment of the adventures ahead.