Paul's Classification
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Rob introduced Paul, saying that as he had recounted Paul's many accomplishments at his induction, he would not repeat it all again. He was pleased that Paul had agreed to join the club and welcomed him to the podium.
Paul was born in 1945 in the Netherlands, on a farm. This allowed him to enjoy the privilege of milking cows every morning, even if he had a hangover. He was keen on soccer and skating - once entering a 200 km speed skating race on the canals. The entire race was into the wind. He finished 401 out of 10,000 and claimed his butt was frozen off.
He attended the State Agricultural College but found his employment burdened by the beaucracy so, at the 'firm' suggestion of his wife, they emigrated to Canada. He started as a farm hand in the Ottawa Valley and then took a Batchelor's in Food Technology at McGill.
This qualified him to work at several large food companies, but he was always bedeviled by the red tape - people would rewrite his memos. And, a lot of his fellow employees were highly educated. His experience is that you can't tell a Ph. D. anything - they all think they know better.
Another move - this time to Cuba where he was supposed to set up a plant that produced fish cakes but he had to work with what was available so the recipe called for haik and rice. Political appointees spelled the doom of that project - while he was away some party official turned the wrong valve and the plant was destroyed.
From there he moved to the Maritimes and ran fish processing plants, ending up the general manager of Nickerson's. Having moved 14 times, he took a job with McCain's and moved to Florenceville, expecting some stability. Within 3 months he was in Europe on a two year posting that laste 20. His experience working with people from across the continent was interesting, but it presented it's difficulties too. The French, in his experience, will say 'oui' but end up doing 'non'. His favourite country was Italy - he always laughed there, he said.
His leadership saw huge growth for the company but his wife wanted to return to Canada and the leadership difficulties at McCain's affected everybody, so they moved to Penetang.
He is looking forward to enjoying his retirement and to working with Rotary to benefit the Community.
Dean thanked Paul for his 'straight and honest' presentation - in the best traditions of Rotary. He thought there might be a book in there somewhere.
He attended the State Agricultural College but found his employment burdened by the beaucracy so, at the 'firm' suggestion of his wife, they emigrated to Canada. He started as a farm hand in the Ottawa Valley and then took a Batchelor's in Food Technology at McGill.
This qualified him to work at several large food companies, but he was always bedeviled by the red tape - people would rewrite his memos. And, a lot of his fellow employees were highly educated. His experience is that you can't tell a Ph. D. anything - they all think they know better.
Another move - this time to Cuba where he was supposed to set up a plant that produced fish cakes but he had to work with what was available so the recipe called for haik and rice. Political appointees spelled the doom of that project - while he was away some party official turned the wrong valve and the plant was destroyed.
From there he moved to the Maritimes and ran fish processing plants, ending up the general manager of Nickerson's. Having moved 14 times, he took a job with McCain's and moved to Florenceville, expecting some stability. Within 3 months he was in Europe on a two year posting that laste 20. His experience working with people from across the continent was interesting, but it presented it's difficulties too. The French, in his experience, will say 'oui' but end up doing 'non'. His favourite country was Italy - he always laughed there, he said.
His leadership saw huge growth for the company but his wife wanted to return to Canada and the leadership difficulties at McCain's affected everybody, so they moved to Penetang.
He is looking forward to enjoying his retirement and to working with Rotary to benefit the Community.
Dean thanked Paul for his 'straight and honest' presentation - in the best traditions of Rotary. He thought there might be a book in there somewhere.