The Sudbury Area Mining Supply & Services Association’s 12th annual general meeting on December 4, 2015 was a special event for members, but this year’s meeting was both somber and reflective for the 100 plus attendees
The Hall of Fame Awards, the highlight of SAMSSA’s AGMs for the past nine years, serve as an opportunity to honour those who have made a mark on the region’s mining supply and service industry. There is a special bond that has been nurtured over the years between the inductees, their families and other SAMSSA members. This was especially visible this year.
Paul Villgren
Inductee Paul Villgren of Sling-Choker Manufacturing was introduced by his son Peter, who proudly provided a detailed and insightful portrait of his father’s long journey to success as an entrepreneur and leader. Paul came from Finland in 1951 and could not speak English, but that didn’t dampen his vision and commitment to hard work.
Paul worked his way up from paperboy to delivery truck driver. At age 15, he worked for a grocery store chain purchasing produce and goods in his station wagon. He went on to graduate from the Haileybury School of Mines and worked at Inco and Falconbridge in the mining engineering departments for three years after graduation.
After working for Hugh J. O’Neil for a few years, he saw an opportunity to sell rigging supplies and started Sling-Choker. He ended up opening 13 locations in Ontario as he grew the company and created others like Ground Control with partners.
Paul still works every day and loves his family and the industry.
He was applauded by his peers for his success and humility.
Andre Ruest
Inductee Andre Ruest, a member of the SAMSSA board of directors for eight years and vice-president of B&D Manufacturing, passed away weeks before the meeting and the SAMSSA board wanted to focus on his life and contribution to the industry. It is a tradition for honourees to be profiled by one of their children and, this year, Andre’s three sons came forward and in an emotional and heartwarming manner told us about their father’s life and successes.
Testimonies usually result in applause and recognition, but in this instance there was a unique response when the members rose as one in a standing ovation for Andre Ruest and his family and stayed on their feet as his colleague and friend, Tom Palangio, newly inducted president of SAMSSA, added further tributes.
Other announcements included the introduction of SAMSSA’s board for 2016-2018. They include Tom Palangio as president; Alicia Woods as treasurer and vice-president; Dave Rector, secretary; Jeff Smith, director; and Rick Lemieux, director. The new board thanked former president Mike Mayhew for his past leadership and support and congratulated him on his expanded role with Stantec.
It was also announced that a new partnership has been created between SAMSSA and Dynamic Earth (Science North) for 2016 that will see three major events that will be mutually beneficial to both parties. One event announced by Julie Moskalyk, senior manager of Dynamic Earth, will see a special demonstration in August 2016 entitled Mining: Now & Then, an historical and future look at mining in the Sudbury Basin.
For more information and profiles and pictures, please visit our newly updated website at www.samssa.ca
