Classification Talk

 

Eric thanked Rotarians for the opportunity to speak and thanked Pierre for introducing him to Rotary. He met Pierre 20 years ago when they served on a charity committee together. Eric’s partner Joanne were high school sweethearts, they dated throughout high school and after, they went their separate ways. They met again after 37 years. Joanne is a high school teacher. They have three children and four wonderful grandchildren. They also have a rescue dog. Eric loves music especially rock and roll and jazz. He was a professional musician at age 16; he played bass guitar and drums. He also loves photography and riding motorcycles.

 

Eric was born on December 25^th, which was difficult as it was Christmas. He had a Toronto Star paper route and he learned to manage money and interact with people. Eric graduated Grade 13 and went to work right away; he worked in sales, then went to a company called Stange (a spice company). He went through four interviews to get this job. His first territory was the Maritimes, he grew the territory and in those days business was done with a handshake. Eric did very well with the company so they shipped him off to Edmonton. After three years he came back to Toronto. He worked for McCormick Canada and moved to a VP Sales and Marketing job. He then later started his own company called Russell Marketing and has been doing this for 20 years; he loves it and is good at it.

 

Eric has been lucky in life and will always give back and that is why he is very happy to be a part of Rotary.