Our Associates

Michael J. Ervin, BSc

Michael Ervin is the President of MJ Ervin & Associates.  Mr. Ervin's career started in the petroleum marketing business in 1978, during which he held a number of petroleum marketing management responsibilities in most regions of Canada. He has worked for major oil companies such as Gulf Canada and Ultramar Limited, and has managed both commercial and retail petroleum sales networks, in several senior management capacities.

In 1990 Mr. Ervin left the industry, and formed MJ Ervin & Associates Inc., where Mr. Ervin works with a variety of public and private-sector organizations having an interest in the downstream petroleum industry. His consulting work in this sector focuses on marketing, competition, regulatory issues, and pricing economics.

Mr. Ervin is a BSc. graduate of Dalhousie University in Halifax, and has supplemented his degree with post-graduate studies in economics, accounting and business administration. He is a regular commentator about petroleum prices on television, radio, and in the print media, and has given numerous speaking engagements and familiarization seminars on the subject of the North American petroleum industry.

Michael is a member of Calgary's Ranchmen's Club. He is also an actively serving senior officer in Canada's Armed Forces reserves (Navy). His naval officer career included command of HMCS TECUMSEH (Calgary's naval training establishment) from 2000 to 2003, and is a former honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General of Canada.  Michael is an avid runner and has completed over a dozen marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2006. He is also a licensed pilot.

Catherine Hay, MBA

Cathy Hay is the Senior Associate at MJ Ervin & Associates. Cathy's career in the petroleum business started in 1985 when she joined Gulf Canada. She worked for Gulf Canada and its successor company Petro-Canada for fifteen years during which time she held a number of senior marketing positions.  Cathy also held a marketing management position at Calgary Co-op. Cathy left the industry in 1999 to join MJ Ervin & Associates. 

Cathy is a BPE graduate of the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and a MBA graduate of York University in Toronto. Cathy is also a regular commentator about petroleum prices on radio and in the print media, and has given numerous familiarization seminars on the subject of the Canadian downstream petroleum industry.

As Senior Associate, Cathy also spearheads various downstream projects.