May 31 - Chips - Wendy Fries

Wendy J. Fries living in Stoney Creek, ON:

“In September 1994, after eight years, I left Zeneca Agro when the company's Government & Trade Affairs Dept. was eliminated. Having constantly worked since graduating from Mohawk College in 1971, I decided to take advantage of this sabbatical and I took a year off. 

I enjoyed my condo, which I had just purchased in April 1994, and I adopted a beautiful Yellow Lab named Lone Star Lucy II. The two of us ventured to Cayuga every week for a couple of day’s visit with my elderly father (passed away in 2000; Mom had passed away in 1981) and my brother, Rusty (passed away in 2003), who worked at the Haldimand Association for the Developmentally Challenged. It was wonderful to have the extra time that year to spend with them and Dad & Rusty really bonded with Lucy.

In October 1995 I started temping at the Hamilton-Wentworth District Health Council in downtown Hamilton, which was quite the experience working in the city’s core!

In 1997 I landed a great job with an up and coming company, Philip Services Corp. I was the Executive Assistant to the Vice-President, Mill Services. A few years later, there was a scandal, something about missing copper (which I knew nothing about and gratefully told the RCMP that same thing when they were investigating years later. Footnote - Bob Waxman’s trial finally concluded last year and he will be sentenced this summer.)  After Philip’s rewriting their financial statements several times, their stock went from $27 to penny stocks and thus I had the opportunity for yet another sabbatical in 1999!

In November 1999 I was fortunate to land another great job, this time with Siemens Canada Limited, Energy Sector, Hamilton Plant (the old Westinghouse plant at Sanford & Barton started in 1903). I was the Executive Administrator for the Vice-President, Finance & Controlling until September 2011 when the gas turbine plant was moved to Charlotte, NC putting 600 Hamilton employees out of work. Another sabbatical for Wendy!!

This time I was able to take advantage of my young age (it’s all relative, isn’t it?) plus years of service and I took early retirement which I have been enjoying ever since!!

My sister, Bonnie Pugsley (Jack King & Hugo Brown’s Executive Assistant) and her husband, Jim, threw me a terrific Retirement Party for 60+ of my closest friends, many of whom I have known throughout my working career.  My old boss from Firestone attended and his speech brought back many memories of the seventies and disco days!!  I raised almost $1,000 for Hamilton Food Share in lieu of gifts.

As you all know, I started the Chipman / Zeneca Alumni Project a few months ago and I have gone from having 60 colleagues in my distribution list to 145 to date. We are worldwide from Switzerland to Australia! And my, how the project has expanded with the help of Louis Caron in Ottawa creating a Blog and Brad Smith in Calgary creating a Flickr account which, I know, everyone will enjoy both of these immensely!

As if I wasn’t busy enough with that project, I started volunteering around the same time on the Fundraising Subcommittee of the Hamilton Council on Aging and got right into it with a Cake & Cabaret Event coming up the night before our golf tournament.

In the meantime, I have started looking for work, although I’m not so sure that I want to get back into the corporate “dog-eat-dog” world! I like the non-profit charitable world and hopefully will land something in the next year. If you hear of anything available in the Hamilton area, please contact me at wjfries@teksavvy.com. Wendy”

May 30 - Chips - Tony Draper

Tony Draper living in Kelvin Grove QLD Australia

"Good to hear from you.

I guess I left “Zeneca” I moved to New Zealand with ICI Australia. After a few years in New Zealand I was transferred to Brisbane Australia in 1995. ICI Australia became Orica and after the messy legal battle between Zeneca and Orica I was sick of thecorporate politics and poor leadership so I left.

That turned out to be the best decision of my life. I started my own business in Leadership development and executive coaching.  I have never looked back. My business now has spread across Asia Pacific, I work with organisations in Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. I have individual coaching client in China, Dubai, Kazakhstan as well as the other mentioned countries. I have developed a keen interest in cross cultural leadership and love what I am doing. In fact I am even learning Hindi J

I have attached my profile and my website is currently www.draperco.com.au.

Cheers Tony

Tony Draper PCC

p:  +617 3856 5112

f:  +617 3856 4031

m: +614 1216 1530

http://www.draperco.com.au

May 30 - Chips - Carol Westlund on behalf of her late husband Don

Carol Westlund living in Winnipeg 

"Don started his career with Chipman Chemicals in the fall of 1963, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, from the University of Saskatchewan. Don was hired to work on the order desk for Chipman out of the office on Coulter Avenue in Winnipeg.  The following year Don and I were married and spent just over a year in Winnipeg before Don was transferred to Regina as a sales representative. 

1965 was the first year the University of Regina opened and so I became a student once again. In two years time Don decided to leave Chipman and return to Saskatoon to study for a Master of Science in Horticulture. I remember it was the fall of 1967 as we purchased a new Plymouth Sport Fury to return to University (no more company car) and with that sport car, we were the envy of a few of the other graduate students. While in Saskatoon I taught school as well as finished my Arts degree. 

After a couple of years in Saskatoon Don was rehired with Chipman Chemicals and we moved to Lethbridge where he was sales rep. Both of our children, Glenn and Andrea were born in Lethbridge. After four years in Lethbridge we had a series of moves with Chipman.  Between 1973-79 we lived in Winnipeg, MB, Beamsville, ON and Moose Jaw, SK. While living in Moose Jaw, Don managed the Chipman plant and farmed a quarter section of land at Brownlee, SK. After two years in that position Don was offered a sales supervisor's position in Winnipeg and we moved to Winnipeg again, for the third time. This was in late 1979 and we/I have been in Winnipeg ever since, and in the same house.

I continued my studies in Winnipeg with a one year business course and then finished up a second degree, my B Ed, at the University of Winnipeg. 

Don took early retirement in 1998 due to some restructuring in the company and packages offered to those 55 plus years of age. A retirement dinner was held for Don at Green Gates restaurant on the outskirts of Winnipeg; both employees and spouses were in attendance. Don was also honoured with presentations and recognition of his 32 year career at one of the company meetings held at the Banff Springs Hotel. 

At the time of Don's retirement he was the Product Service Manager with Zeneca, working out of the Scurfield Blvd. office. He continued working on a contract basis but this was short lived as he died of a heart attack in February of 1999.

I have kept in touch with Zeneca employees in Winnipeg, Alberta and Ontario, and have visited several times with good friends,  Don (Joyce) Breeze in Pennsylvania.

Our son, Glenn, lives in Winnipeg and is a mechanical engineer working for Magellan Aerospace Corporation. His position involves some travel both in Canada and the USA.  Our daughter, Andrea, after 11 years of university, is married and lives in the States. Her and Ted have two little boys, Donald (5) and Jamie (3). Andrea and Ted are both University Professors and are employed at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

As for me, I am now retired from my part time position with the Winnipeg School Division and I love to travel with family and friends, especially during the winter months. Winnipeg has some good aspects but winter (in my opinion) isn't one of them. 

Cheers, Carol"

May 28 Chips - Chris Averink

Chris Averink - living in Dundas ON

"Hi everyone, Chris Averink here.  Since Zeneca, my life has certainly been eventful and quite interesting.  For 5 years I worked for the City of Hamilton in Customer Service and actually retired (with pension) in 2005.  At that time my partner, Martin Nye and I decided to create a not-for-profit art gallery in a big, old house on the beach strip in Hamilton, where we lived upstairs, and the gallery was downstairs.  This house on a large lot has a fabulous view of the lake and the sunrises could make you cry. 

We did this until December 2011 when we decided to finally give it up and really retire.  We met lots of wonderful people and created an arts community of about 300 local people who were given an opportunity to show and sell their work.  We even had studio space on site where artists created all manner of art.  Due to some health issues, we recently decided to move to a condo in Dundas with a lovely view of Spencer Creek and the Dundas valley. 

So now I keep myself busy making all sorts of jewelry and am still gardening at the beach house.  My daughter Jennifer and Frank are buying the big old house to make apartments and hopefully money.  Hope to see you all at the golf dinner. 

Chris Averink"

May 24 - Chips - Ray Skochelas

Ray Skochelas - living in Etobicoke ON

"Hello Chipman Alumni. It's great to be back in touch with you all, especially after all this time. After leaving Zeneca, following more than 13 years of blood, sweat and tears, I landed at Rhone Poulenc (Sedagri) as a Marketing Manager, for a few years, then was off to the Shoppers Drug Mart Head Office, as Category Manger, for a period, followed by 7 years at ACCO Canada (manufacturers of Wilson Jones Binders, Swing Line Staplers, Kensington Computer accessories etc) holding various positions in Product and Customer Marketing Management.

For the last 4+ years, I have been working as a National Account Manager for a company called Northern Response. Google our website www.shopnorthern.com to get a quick overview of the products that we distribute in Canada. Most of them you may recognize as As Seen On TV products like ShamWow, Slap Chop, P90X, Insanity etc.  Basically, I take products, that our company has secured the rights for in Canada, and then take them to Walmart, CTC, Sears, Zellers, Forzani Group etc.'s, head offices, for sale across the country. It has, without question, been a lot of fun.

My wife Paula and I are still going strong, after 26+ years of marriage and still reside in our home in Etobicoke. We have 2 daughters, Karlee-Rae (23) and Kira (19). Both are great kids. Karlee just graduated from Brock University, in St. Catharine's, and has  begun her first full-time job at the TD Head office in Toronto. Kira just got accepted at the Schulich Business School at York University and graduated high-school with a 94% average (must have got her brains from the post-man). I am still playing hockey, 3 times a week, and actually have the honour of playing on a line with, ex-Toronto Maple Leaf, Rick Vaive, in my Wednesday night league. Believe me when I say, that the man (that's Rick, not me) can still really light-it-up.

Anyhow, that's it for now. I do look forward to catching up with you soon.

All the best, Ray" 

May 22 - Chips - Steve Hawkins

Steve Hawkins - living in Minnetinka MN

"I continue to work for Syngenta based in Minnetonka, MN, USA. My role is Head of Sales for Syngenta USA. I surpassed the 20 year milestone last month! Hard to believe!

Sandra and I have been extremely fortunate to experience Syngenta in (Basel) Switzerland, (Wilmington/DE, Des Moines/IA, Minneapolis/MN) USA, (Seoul) South Korea and (Tokyo) Japan. I’ve served in various marketing and Country Head/Commercial Leadership roles.

We left the Canadian business on Canada Day 1998 – hard to believe time has gone by so quickly!

We have all seen how media interest in Ag as a sector has increased greatly over the past 10 years. Mostly around food sustainability and security.

Having had the chance to work in Asia and engage in many of the developing markets worldwide has proved hugely rewarding to date. What we do, is really making a difference! Steve"

May 21 - Chips - Jack King

Jack King - living in Mississauga

"I left Chipman in 1987 after the ICI purchase and became President of Crop Life the trade association that represented the industry which of course included Syngenta. As President I was responsible for representing and promoting the industry, lobbying for much needed changes in the chemical registration system and introducing product stewardship initiatives.

The most important of the stewardship initiatives during my tenure were the recycling through 800 sites in Canada all metal (rebar) and plastic pesticide containers (mainly fence posts) with an industry cumulative expenditure in 1997 of $35 million and then the mandatory standards for pesticide warehouses (eliminating the one a year industry warehouse fires).

I was pleased to have Cam Davreux join the organization as Vice President to manage the container project and then have Charlie Trail as a consultant on the warehousing project.

I retired from Crop Life in 1997 with Paulette and I spending our summers in Mississauga, our winters at our ski chalet in Craigleith and then venturing on international vacations in both the Spring and Fall.

Paulette and I are very fortunate that all three of our children live in Toronto so that we are able to spend time with our 8 grandchildren. Susan our eldest who has 3 of our grandchildren retired from an advertising career to look after the children and married a Psychologist at the Princess Margaret Hospital. Our other daughter Carolyn also has 3 of our grandchildren and is also busy as Vice President and General Manager of  The Sun Products Corp (the manufacturer of Sunlight soaps and detergents) Our son Michael who has 2 of our grandchildren is a Principal in an Executive Placement agency.

I have very fond memories of my time at Chipman. The comradeship of the employees and the dedication of all to the company made it one of the most enjoyable positions that I have ever held. Jack" 

May 19 - Chips - Mike Armstrong

Mike Armstrong - living in ON

"After Chipman sold the Lawn & garden business to NuGro I was hired by NuGro to handle their Ontario production facilities in Woodstock, Putnam and the SCU plant in Courtright.

Later I spent a couple of years implementing a software system for them and eventually started my own software consulting company.

All in all I spent 7 wonderful (NOT) years with NuGro and retired in March of 2000.

I have attached a photo from a Lawn & Garden sales meeting in Banff. I think it was 1989 or 1990. Thanks, Mike"

May 18 - Chips - Gary Price

Gary Price - living in Carson City NV
"Carman (Dodsworth) forwarded your e-mail, good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.  I have been moving around a bit since we last met…short summary.

I left Zeneca in 1995 and moved to Arkansas to work for Terra as Research Chemist. Lived in Blytheville, AR for 4 years. Moved to Vermillion, SD to become Manager of Product Development for Terra at their head office in Sioux City, IA.

Left Terra in 2001 and became a sales rep for Ring Container. Moved to Nashville, TN in 2003 to manage a corporate project. Moved to London England in 2005 to become General Manager, Ring Europe.

Moved back to Nashville in 2008 to become Director of Plant Operations. Moved to Carson City, NV in 2010 and became Director of Sales and Business Development.

Still married to Sharon (31 years this year) David is 29 and lives in Sioux City, IA, Hayley is 26 and lives in Carson City (near us).

 Have not met that many old Zeneca people. Met Ed Thiessen, John Marchewka and Duane Johnson in Calgary a few years ago. Met Brent Sigurdson in Sioux Falls, SD. Met Jim Stewart and Bill Brown in Minneapolis. Met Tony Draper in Minneapolis (he was still living in Australia). Saw Charlie Trail on occasion until he passed away. I see Owen Dearman from time to time.

 I heard that: Marshal Kostiuk and Patty O’Keefe married and moved to Switzerland. Eli Partyka was in Korea last I heard. I call on Syngenta in Greensboro, NC but there are less and less of the old timers left.

Anyway nice to hear from you. Gary"

May 17 - Chips - Ed Thiessen, Gary Friesen & Peter Buckley

Ed Thiessen - living in AB and has a cottage in BC

"I retired last Sept and am working about 1/3 of the time with Syngenta as a contractor doing BC hort sales and some technical training.  The Okanagan and Fraser Valleys are where the business is at.  Of course, a person must check out some of the 135 wineries along the way, right??  Rest of the time spent at our cabin in BC, travelling, fishing, golfing and just hanging out.  Freedom 55 is a good thing! Ed"

Gary Friesen - living in Winnipeg

"I started with Chipman in 1976 as a sales representative, and spent most of my 18 years of sales in Manitoba. Then in 1994 I took on a position looking after western Canadian Distribution. I left Zeneca at the end of 1999.

From there I worked with James Richardson International for 11 years in Crop Inputs. I retired on Dec. 31, 2010. After being retired for a year, I accepted a 5-month contract postion with Monsanto in distribution of their Dekalb canola products. That position has just ended so I have no re-retired.

My wife Janice and I still reside in Winnipeg.

I keep in touch with Albert Valdivia, Larry Gompf, Burns Paddock and Carol Westlund who all reside in Winnipeg.

It was great to hear for you. Thanks again, Gary"

Peter Buckley - living in Calgary

"Just a quick up-date re our wanderings since C-I-L/Chipman days. I left Chipman when the L & G specialties group was sold to Nu-Gro.

After that, I worked for Lesco in Cleveland for a couple of years before moving to Edmonton and working for Viridian (part of IOL). They were then bought by Agrium and we moved down to Calgary. (We - Agrium bought Nu-Gro a few years later – Ain’t life strange)

I retired in March 2011 after 12 years at Agrium – Worked at a local golf course last year. Currently wondering what else I can do – (I’ve worn out the dog – walking.)

My wife Kathy ( Ex Chipman too) is still working – area sales for Wrigley Canada for past three years. Our basement is full of gum and candy ( I liked it better when she worked for the liquor company).

Our two sons are now 21 & 23 and over 6 ft – Can’t tell them what to do anymore.

I do have intermittent contact with a couple of our old team from L&G. Pete"

May 16 - Chips - Ken Kletsky & John Blair

Ken Kletsky living in Vernon BC

"Hi Wendy. Got your name from Tony Grandoni (guess he was not busy between pasta dishes) and the Chipman alumni are up and running! I worked for Chipman in sales from '81-'89 here in BC. From there I went to Monsanto who in turn became Solutia who in turn sold to Thermphos who I am currently employed by. I am the sales manager for Canada and have some USA responsibilty as well.  Currently Reside in Vernon, BC.

Been married to Jo-Ann 32 years - 2 kids and 2 grandchildren. My wife Jo-Ann currently works for one of Chipmans long standing customer/warehouse - Growers Supply in Kelowna BC. Ken"


John Blair living in Park River ND

"Hi Wendy, it's been a long time.  Just some quick stuff, I was in the chemical business until 2005 then another guy and myself started a Farm Implement Dealership in Park River, ND and I have been doing that ever since.  In the chemical business I worked in the US for SDS Biotech, Monsanto and Sipcam Agro USA. 

For anyone that doesn't know, Irene passed away suddenly in 1997.  Doesn't seem that long ago.

The Implement business has been good for me.  Always home and the farmers in ND have been doing very well.  John"

Chipman - Zeneca Alumni Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner

This year’s Event promises to be the best ever with colleagues coming from far and wide!! If you don’t golf, please come for dinner. You will meet people you have not seen in many years!!

DATE:     Thursday, June 21^st, 2012

TIME:      12:30 p.m. ~ First Tee Off

                  5:30 p.m. ~ Attitude Adjustment

                  6:30 p.m. ~ Dinner

PLACE:    Burlington Springs Golf & Country Club, 5235 Cedar Springs Road, Burlington, ON

We are looking for golf prizes. Perhaps your company, or you, would consider donating to our prize table or you may have a gift sitting in a closet at home that you received and will never use. Just E-Mail us if you wish to bring a golf prize the day of the event!

Wayne Ingell = wdingell@cogeco.ca or phone # 905 – 634-0160

Blair Clark = clarksholm@rogers.com

Wendy Fries = wjfries@teksavvy.com

If you require hotel accommodations, Brad McDonald has very kindly offered to organize, so please E-Mail him for details at:

BMcDonald@plantprod.com

ENTRY FORM

CHIPMAN / ZENECA GOLF EVENT

THURSDAY, JUNE 21^ST, 2012

Please reply by May 31^st, 2012 and make your cheque payable to:

Mr. Wayne Ingell

289 Cheltenham Road

Burlington, ON L7L 4H6

Costs:

v 18 Holes of Golf = $46.00 per person

v Golf Cart, if required = $17.00 per rider payable to the Golf Pro Shop on the day of the event.

v Prime Rib Dinner: $32.00 per person (includes HST + 10% Gratuity)

v Cash Bar

Name: _____________________________

Guest’s Name(s): ____________________________________________

Golf & Dinner $78 per person = How Many? Yes [ ] No [ ]

Dinner Only $32 per person = How Many?    Yes [ ] No [ ]

Total Amount of Cheque Enclosed: $________

Crop Management Program

Back in 1989 Chipman launched the Crop Management Program. This program was designed as a multi-crop marketing and communication tool based on a series of direct mail pieces sent to horticultural crop growers across Canada. The challenge at the time was to promote our comprehensive line of products across many horticultural crops all over Canada and in two languages - all this on a limited budget. The concept was based on a sophisticated database managed at the time by a small company called Applican in Mississauga. Murray DePape worked closely with Jeffery Bowles to set up the database.


Norm Dreger, Art Melanson, Chris Averink, Mark McLear, Sharon Stevenson, Stephan Laliberté and many others were all part of the marketing team who managed this project at some point. Ed Thiessen and his team provided valuable technical content to develop a number of Technical Information Bulletins and Crop Spray Guides. This was truly a team effort and it proved to be a very successful initiative that continued over a number of years.




A few years after its launch, the Cereals and Oilseeds team adapted this concept and applied it across crops in western Canada.







In 1994, Zeneca Ag Products launched its US equivalent and marketed it under the Farm Assist brand. This initiative is still ongoing today and Syngenta even has its own web site http://www.farmassist.com/.

Here is what Syngenta said about Farm Assist in a 2009 press release:
"As more and more growers embrace the Internet as a convenient source of agronomic information, Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. has made finding that information a bit easier. FarmAssist.com, the online face of the company for growers and retailers, has been redesigned to enhance the customer experience.

With more than 30,000 visitors per month, FarmAssist® provides users with up-to-the-minute agricultural news and commentary, local weather customised by zip code, market observations and agronomic and product information..."




While today's Farm Assist is quite a bit different to the original Crop Management Program, the concept of providing valuable crop information to farmers across North America is still going strong.





Another bit of Chipman history that started over 20 years ago.

Louis Caron

Chipman Gnome

In 1981 our Lawn and Garden group created a marketing campaign based on a ficticious character called the Chipman Gnome. All literature and promotional items featured a logo of a small gnome. "Gnome news was good news."



In January 1983, Graeme MacDougall's wife (I can't recall her name) created a small life size model of the Chipman Gnome, complete with his uniform and garden tools. It was presented to its creator Louis Caron as a going away gift when he was seconded to ICI in the UK.

The gnome was stored in Louis' attic until 2010 when it was given to a special and very loyal Chipman customer - JM Tremblay et Fils a garden centre in Matane QC.

During a trip to the Gaspé Penninsula that year Lucile and Louis stopped at the garden centre which he last visited over 30 years ago. To their surprise and amazment, they saw a giant 10 foot replica of the Chipman Gnome at the entance of the garden centre. The owner was so impressed with the concept of the gnome, that he had one of his sons who was an amateur sculptor to create this giant statue of the gnome.


The original owner of the garden centre passed away a couple of years before their visit in August 2010, but his four children now manage the business. In the photo below, three of of the four children stand in front of the giant statue.

Today this giant gnome can be seen at the entrance of the the town and serves as a landmark to visitors and customers.

So for those of you who might consider a trip to the Gaspé Penninsula, make sure you look for the giant gnome when you pass through Matane. This is now part of the Chipman history.

The Chipman Family Album

In 1986 Chipman produced a Family Album. Read the company story from the beginning. Notice the names of employees at the bottom of pages, starting from the page titled "Pioneers" . If you worked for the company during that year, your name should be there.

Click on the first image to enlarge the page. Enjoy the memories...

2011 Fall Reunion Dinner

We had 29 folks attend Dinner at the King's Buffet in Stoney Creek, Ontario on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011.

It was super to see Jack & Paulette King, Blair & Sheila Clark, Clarence & Anne McCloskey, Gord Rogers, Carol & Don Wachnuik, Charlotte & Maynard Gilbey, Alex & Margaret Kindraka, Ivan Warr (who will be 92), Betty Richards & John, Cam & Maili Davreux, Wayne Ingell, Bernice Palmer, Chris Averink, Bonnie Pugsley, Bruce & Barb Jones, Steve & Pauline Babulal, Brent Muir, Ron Costen and Wendy Fries.

A special thank you to Ralph Button for his donation of 40+ gifts/prizes. Chris & Wendy sold tickets for these items and we raised $122.00 for Hamilton Food Share (Wendy dropped the money off to them this past week).

Blair Clark announced that next year's golf tournament will be held on Thursday, June 21st in Burlington (same place as last year) and further details will be sent to you probably in April. Please mark the date on your calendar now!!!

wjf

Photos from Bob McNaughton

November 1977 - Chipman trip to England.

Many of you remember this trip to England. It was nearly 35 years ago. How many people can you identify on this photo?

Better yet, how many can remember why we went across the pond and what was the name of the hotel we stayed at?




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Bob McNaugton and Chipman Garden products ad May 1976

Here is a good sales rep committed to selling Chipman Lawn and Garden products. That was a long time ago. 

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The Shadow with Bob McNaughton 1979

The Shadow with Bob McNaughton at a garden show in 1979. Question: what was The Shadow's real name? Add your answer in the comments section below. Where is he now?

Here is what Bob McNaughton been up to; Bob now lives in St. Thomas, ON:

"My wife, Gail, and I moved to St. Thomas in 1997 and have a doodle dog and 3 cats. I was raised on a farm near Ailsa Craig in Middlesex County that was purchased from the Canada Company in 1858.

My grandfather was Alex M. Stewart who founded Stewart Seeds in the 40s and his Uncle, John A. Stewart, sold it to Ciba-Geigy in the 70s. I love creative projects that involve on-farm video and photography. My roots are from the land! Served two years as President of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association and turned around a declining membership.

I’m a cottager, naturalist, world traveler (every continent except Antarctica and Australia), fitness buff, marketing consultant, social media strategist, speaker, project manager, video producer, photographer and writer. Have a passion for engaging and inspiring others to tell their story to get results!

After several years in sales (Chipman 1975 to 1982) and marketing management (Ciba-Geigy, Sterling Drug) with large corporate clients and advertising agencies (Quarry, Young & Rubicam, MC Group), I founded Dog & Pony Productions Inc., a communications company, in 1999. I enjoy being ahead of the curve and was the first to introduce virtual tours, interactive CDs and animated graphics to the agricultural industry.

I’m a life-long learner - have a B.Sc. (Agriculture) from U. of Guelph and an MBA in Marketing from the Schulich School of Business at York University. Obtained certificates in advertising, several pharmaceutical therapeutic categories, financial investing (CSC), life insurance and am a Certified Social Media Strategist by SMM University."