Ronald D. Southern, CC CBE AOE (born July 25, 1930) is a Canadian businessman. He was the founder and chairman of Calgary-based ATCO Group. and is also the founder of the Spruce Meadows equestrian center.In 1947, Southern and his father each invested $2,000 in the original Alberta Trailer Hire Co., which later became ATCO. Southern received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Alberta in 1953 and began to work full-time for the company.