[Each year, the best Canadian risk managers gather to discuss the state of the discipline at the RIMS Canada Conference. The 2011 incarnation is taking place this week in Ottawa so I will be reporting from here for the next few days.]

I was just now informed that Nowell Seaman, the venerable risk manager for the University of Saskatchewan, is fleeing to the airport and will not be joining the festivities of tonight’s RIMS Canada Conference Gala.

Perhaps ironically, the risk of a looming Air Canada strike has forced him, and a few other risk pros, to fly back to their jobs now in case they can’t tomorrow. It’s a shame because I attended two panels moderated by the Saskatchewanian and RIMS board member (here’s a report from the first one) and feel obligated to at least thank him for all his ideas that I plan to steal for upcoming issues of our magazine. But I guess this decision explains why he’s so good at his job. Personal risk management in action and all.

Fortunately, however, Craig Rowe of Clear Risk was able to track down Nowell yesterday and get his thoughts on the current state of risk management. He shares some insight below.