Marvin Galts and his late wife, Chloe, were business and life partners for more than 50 years. They kept their partnership strong through struggles and triumphs with a combination of hard work, determination and optimism.
The University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon School of Business chose the Galts as this year’s honourees of the Management Scholarship Dinner. Proceeds from the dinner go toward a scholarship fund in the honourees’ names, with the proceeds of the fund given annually to a deserving Dhillon School of Business student. 
“We are very pleased to honour Marvin and Chloe at this year’s scholarship dinner, “ says Dhillon School of Business Dean, Dr. Bob Boudreau. “In their partnership, the Galts exemplified the professionalism, dedication and perseverance that we try to instill in our students to prepare them for careers in business and life in general.”
Marvin and Chloe shared an entrepreneurial spirit and over the years, they were involved in management consulting, farming, hog operations, home construction, land development, property management, and interior design businesses.
“I think the key was being able to share the experience,” says Marvin. “Being in these types of private businesses where you can share ideas and both the downside and upside, that’s probably the main thing that helped us, as well as growing together in terms of knowledge and experience as we went from one operation to another.”
Their partnership began in 1962 as young newlyweds on the Galts’ family farm near Coutts. They started a family and moved to Montana while Marvin pursued a university degree in finance and economics. A diagnosis of cancer prevented Marvin from continuing his studies for a time, but successful treatment allowed him to return after a few months.
He worked as an agricultural economist in Lethbridge, started Galko Development and later Galko Homes, as well as several development partnerships, and became partners in hog operations. Never averse to taking calculated risks, in the early 1980s they became involved in land development. They couldn’t have foreseen the economic nosedive that occurred and, unfortunately, a joint venture partner went into receivership, taking Galko Development with it.
A few years later, the Galts started another company that would become Galko Homes and, with the support of partners and the industry, the company has grown over the years. Their son, Bruce, joined the firm in 1997. Their daughter, Brenda (Wilkins), joined a few years later and the family expanded into Montana in 2004 with the launch of Westcraft Homes. Marvin remains active developing opportunities and partnerships. Chloe’s management and talent for interior design was evident in every Galko show home and she stayed involved up until the last few years, despite her ongoing battle with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
Marvin reacted to the news that he and Chloe would be honoured at this year’s scholarship dinner with characteristic humbleness.
“My immediate response was ‘There are lots of other people in this community who could be acknowledged before me,” says Marvin. “Chloe and I were never ones to be out in the limelight. Yes, it’s nice to be acknowledged and hopefully it becomes a positive thing for the University. From that standpoint, I am willing and pleased to be honoured.”
Tickets to the Dhillon School of Business Scholarship Dinner on Thursday, April 14 can be purchased online.
A feature story on the Galts can be found on the U of L website.
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Contact:
Caroline Zentner, public affairs advisor
403-394-3975 or 403-795-5403 (cell)
