Andrew Ross’ middle name should be ‘Balance’.

Ross is heavily involved with the Youth Emergency Shelter and is the president of the Grant MacEwan Alumni Association’s board, but he makes sure to be home early every night to play with his eight-month-old baby girl, Lauren.

“I love going home, grabbing the dog, and taking Lauren out for a walk.”

A university and college grad, Ross has a well-rounded education with bachelor and masters degrees and multiple certifications. He works at Conroy Ross Partners Limited, which researches high-profile employment placements: CEOs, managers, even the new chief of the Edmonton Police Service police chief.

His father, Mike Ross, is a senior partner with the firm, and both Andrew and his brother Ryan work closely with their dad.

Mike and Andrew take winter sports trips together every couple of years, often hiking or skiing at heights of 1,500 feet.

Ross started snowboarding when he was nine years old. Sponsored by K2 Snowboards, Burton Snowboards and Arnett, Ross says he enjoyed snowboarding professionally. The hardest trick he completed was a backside rodeo, which consists of a back flip and a 540-degree spin. He doesn’t miss the professional side of snowboarding, instead enjoying his current position in life at Conroy Ross.

“I want to keep moving forward,” Ross says. “I’m having a lot of fun. Bottom line is, we have a job to do and we get it done.”

Ross generally works 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and surrounds himself with pictures of loved ones in his neat office. One night a week is devoted to an Alumni Association or Y.E.S. board meeting, game or hobby, activities he enjoys to keep himself balanced.

Ross’s father still works 70 hours a week. While he and his dad have an amazing bond, Ross says he made a conscious decision to not work that many hours a week. He says his dad is his best friend and mentor but he’s a “real workaholic.”

“I could easily grind myself to the ground,” he says. “I’m a stress case.”