Sue Hofmeister's Classification
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Rod Ferguson introduced Sue. Originally from Mississauga she has travelled a bit in her banking career and now works with TD in Midland and has recently gotten married.
Sue said she was pleased to share something about herself. She started in banking during High School and through College, working part time at the Bank of Montreal. While in Vancouver she moved to Canada Trust, which always had a good reputation for customer service, which she enjoyed because she felt she was helping people manage their dreams.
Although she had planned to go into nursing, in the early 90's she was offered management training and her career was started. She became a trainer, in turn, on sales, product knowledge and service. She took a transfer to Orillia has an Assistant Manger because she knew and liked the area from her years at the family cottage at Washago.
During the run up to the merger between Canada Trust and the TD, Ed Clark, President, was advised that as the two banks had different cultures he would have to pick one and subsume the other but he thought the best of both could be combined and chose to try a fusion process. Sue was put on the implementation team which was an awesome experience. She travelled the country, meeting new people and developing a corporate culture.
By the end of that her home base was in Penetang but the bank asked her to continue training in Kitchener. They funded her travel and her accommodation during the week and she came back for the weekends. It was a three week assignement that stretched out to a year and finally it became too much. Besides, she thought they could hire local trainers for what they were paying her to travel, so she transferred to Barrie and then to Midland where she is now a Small Business Banker.
Sue said she was pleased to share something about herself. She started in banking during High School and through College, working part time at the Bank of Montreal. While in Vancouver she moved to Canada Trust, which always had a good reputation for customer service, which she enjoyed because she felt she was helping people manage their dreams.
Although she had planned to go into nursing, in the early 90's she was offered management training and her career was started. She became a trainer, in turn, on sales, product knowledge and service. She took a transfer to Orillia has an Assistant Manger because she knew and liked the area from her years at the family cottage at Washago.
During the run up to the merger between Canada Trust and the TD, Ed Clark, President, was advised that as the two banks had different cultures he would have to pick one and subsume the other but he thought the best of both could be combined and chose to try a fusion process. Sue was put on the implementation team which was an awesome experience. She travelled the country, meeting new people and developing a corporate culture.
By the end of that her home base was in Penetang but the bank asked her to continue training in Kitchener. They funded her travel and her accommodation during the week and she came back for the weekends. It was a three week assignement that stretched out to a year and finally it became too much. Besides, she thought they could hire local trainers for what they were paying her to travel, so she transferred to Barrie and then to Midland where she is now a Small Business Banker.
This is one of the few aspects of banking she doesn't have experience with but is pleased to see that banks are paying more attention to it now. Small business is the fastest growing sector of the economy and a lot of people are moving to a second career after retiring from their first.
Sue said she is happy to join Rotary and make connections and to help promote our local business as well as to work on the many wonderful projects the Club is involved in.
She met her husband Stuart snowboarding at Blue Mountain - she identifies them both as yahoos - and it's been an adventure ever since. They now own a 50 acre farm in Tiny that they are trying to reclaim. Stuart worked overtime to rebuild the barn so they could have the wedding there, which was presided over by a native minister who led them through an eagle feather ceremony that even her Catholic mother enjoyed.
She has two horses, one of which is young and which she is training so she can get back into competition. She does 'eventing' which is sort of a horse triathalon that includes dressage, jumping and cross country events. She's also a yoga instructor and teaches part time at a studio in Penetang.
They vacation in Whistler twice a year for the snowboarding.
Dean was impressed - he was interested to hear that banks had discovered small business and threatened to come out of retirement. He asked about the old Canada Trust heritage building in Toronto and Sue said it is used as a training and meeting centre for bank staff.
Keith wondered when bankers developed a sense of humour.
Rob mentioned that Sue had left out a bit of her CV - being manager in Coldwater. She agreed and said she'd enjoyed the experience. Highlights were being constantly told by patrons that they knew the perfect man for her and being there for two robberies.
Jamie Hunter asked about the expansion. Sue said it will be a full service bank, with TD Waterhouse staff on site and about 25 other people and extended hours.
Steve Rastin said he'd always felt the best speakers were already in the Club and he commented on Sue's obvious enthusiasm and positive attitude.
Sue said she is happy to join Rotary and make connections and to help promote our local business as well as to work on the many wonderful projects the Club is involved in.
She met her husband Stuart snowboarding at Blue Mountain - she identifies them both as yahoos - and it's been an adventure ever since. They now own a 50 acre farm in Tiny that they are trying to reclaim. Stuart worked overtime to rebuild the barn so they could have the wedding there, which was presided over by a native minister who led them through an eagle feather ceremony that even her Catholic mother enjoyed.
She has two horses, one of which is young and which she is training so she can get back into competition. She does 'eventing' which is sort of a horse triathalon that includes dressage, jumping and cross country events. She's also a yoga instructor and teaches part time at a studio in Penetang.
They vacation in Whistler twice a year for the snowboarding.
Dean was impressed - he was interested to hear that banks had discovered small business and threatened to come out of retirement. He asked about the old Canada Trust heritage building in Toronto and Sue said it is used as a training and meeting centre for bank staff.
Keith wondered when bankers developed a sense of humour.
Rob mentioned that Sue had left out a bit of her CV - being manager in Coldwater. She agreed and said she'd enjoyed the experience. Highlights were being constantly told by patrons that they knew the perfect man for her and being there for two robberies.
Jamie Hunter asked about the expansion. Sue said it will be a full service bank, with TD Waterhouse staff on site and about 25 other people and extended hours.
Steve Rastin said he'd always felt the best speakers were already in the Club and he commented on Sue's obvious enthusiasm and positive attitude.