Meet Dillon Loomer
Consultant, Risk Advisory, Deloitte Canada
Faces of Industry is a series of articles exploring the personal histories of our practitioners, sharing the key experiences that defined their values and exploring why they do what they do. In this story, Dillon Loomer tells us how playing professional hockey has influenced his career.
The teamwork mentality I picked up over the years in sports continues to be valuable today.
Growing up, Dillon was fascinated by the little things that made a business tick—the processes, that helped it run smoothly. But though his father was a CPA, how he arrived at Deloitte was not a typical process in the least.
“My path to Deloitte was a little unique in that it included two years of professional hockey in Europe,” says Dillon. “But the teamwork mentality I picked up over the years in sports continues to be valuable today.”
Growing up in Calgary, Canada, Dillon played at an elite level but took a step back from the game when he went to University. Then, in the summer between his first and second years, he was offered a chance to play for a club in Sweden, where he ended up staying for two years.
“It was a tremendous experience,” says Dillon. “In sports, most people quit before they get the chance to see how good they can be, and I was grateful for the rare opportunity to push myself and discover my personal best.”
Even though it meant delaying the start of his career, making the choice to play professionally helped build his confidence. Now that confidence has translated into a successful career at Deloitte within both the oil and gas and TMT sectors.
Since joining Deloitte, he’s also been involved with recruiting. He particularly enjoys attending events and answering questions from people who might not really understand what it’s like to work at a place like Deloitte.
“I think a lot of them are surprised at the kind of life experiences that end up being valuable to you,” he says, once again crediting the teamwork mentality he gained from sports as key to his career. “The best work is done when everybody on the team understands the goal and their role in making it all happen.”
Why Industry?
The industries Dillon practices within complement each other well. Based in Calgary, he works regularly in the oil and gas sector—where he enjoys applying the experience he has from also working with the technology industry. “One thing that strikes me is the level of automation tech companies use to enhance the business in all areas,” he says. “It’s a glimpse into the future because these same technologies are beginning to be adopted by more traditional businesses.”
