Ronald D. Southern, CCCBEAOE (created July 25, 1930) is a Canadian businessman. He’s chairman of Calgary-based ATCO Ltd. and is also the creator of the Spruce Meadows equestrian center. In 1947, Southern and his dad each invested $2,000 in the first Alberta Trailer Hire Co., which afterwards became ATCO. Southern received a bachelors of science degree in the University of Alberta in 1953 and started to work full time for the firm. As of 2007, he continues Chairman and majority stockholder of ATCO. He was inducted as An Associate of the Order of the British Empire in 1990, in recognition because of his promotion of Anglo Canadian relations in the fields of business, culture and sport. In June 1995, he was promoted to the degree of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In the year 2012, Southern was named to the Alberta Order of Excellence. He’s received honorary doctoral degrees in the University of Calgary (1976)as well as the University of Alberta (1991). In 1996, Southern was named Financial Post CEO of the Entire Year. He along with his wife were inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.