Richard Pootmans
Richard Pootmans is a Canadian politician who served as the councillor for Ward 6 on the Calgary City Council. Pootmans initially served two terms from 2010 to 2017 before a one-term hiatus during which he co-founded a consultancy. He returned to council following the 2021 municipal election. Pootmans resigned from his position on November 26, 2024, citing "personal and family reasons," less than a year from the 2025 Calgary municipal election.
Early life
Richard Pootmans was born in 1956.Education
Lisgar Collegiate Class of 1974Carleton University Class of 1979
Mount Royal University Class of 1979
University of Calgary 1996
Awards
Pootmans was the 2009 recipient of the Economic Development Alberta Economic Developer of the Year.Career before politics
Pootmans was a founding member of the 17th Ave Business Improvement Area, which became the first BIA established in Calgary on September 18, 1984. Pootmans was a business owner on the business corridor at the time, and advocated for investment in the "deteriorating streetscape" as competition with Chinook Centre and the then-unfinished Eau Claire Market loomed.Prior to being elected in 2010, Pootmans taught as an instructor for 5 years at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. He was Senior Business Development Manager, Real Estate – Calgary Economic Development, Financial Analyst; Vice President, Installations – SMED International, Consultant; Financial management, business strategy – TractionWorks, Co-owner – PORTS International stores, Calgary, and worked as a Landman – Hudson's Bay [Oil and Gas Company], Dome Petroleum.