2003 Recipients

William Easton, Mechanical Engineering Technology, 1965

Bill Easton graduated from the Mechanical Technology program in 1965 and began his career in the same year at the Atomic Energy of Canada in Pinawa. He moved on to positions with GBR Associated Architects and Engineers and Camco Redboine Limited. Since 1980 Bill has been the President/Owner of Argus Industries – a world-wide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of rubber, cork, foam, and elastomeric sealing products and devices. Argus caters to a wide array of customers and industry sectors around the globe including: aerospace, transportation, electrical, and industrial. The company, which prides itself on customer service and unprecedented quality, employs 50 individuals.

The company is flourishing, and its success can be attributed to Bill’s business philosophy which he expressed as follows: “It’s our customer’s satisfaction that has inspired us to continually strive to find better ways to make products. Our business relationships are based on a tripartite formula of mutual benefits between our customers, our suppliers, and ourselves – but the most important part of the equation is our customers.”

Mr. Easton’s community achievements are as impressive as his professional accomplishments. At present, he is a respected lay representative on the Professional Conduct Committee for the Institute of the Chartered Accountants of Manitoba. Bill was just elected as an Honorary CA for his conspicuous service to the institute. In addition he is Vice-Chair of Versatech Charitable Foundation. In the past, he has spent a considerable number of hours with other community and professional organizations, some of which include: Versatech Industries, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agencies Small Business Advisory Committee, the Canadian Manufacturers Association (Manitoba Division), the Manitoba Provincial Government Manufacturing Adaptation Program, various HVAC industry associations, the Opimian Society, and the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West.

Barbara J. Stephen CMA, FCMA, Secretarial Science, 1973

Barbara Stephen has spent the last 21 years in the telecommunications industry, working for Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS). In her current position of Director Corporate Strategic Planning, Ms. Stephen is responsible for contributing to the long-term, profitable growth of MTS through the directing and facilitation of all aspects of the corporate strategic planning process. Her career path has enabled Barbara to hold a variety of progressively senior positions within MTS in the Finance, Corporate Audit and Marketing departments.

Prior to her tenure with MTS, Ms Stephen was the Controller at Ben Levi Agencies, Sales Controller at E. H. Prices Sales Ltd., Supervisor Data Processing at Price Waterhouse and an auditor at Great-West Life Assurance Company.

Barbara graduated from RRC Polytech from the Secretarial Science program in 1973, and earned her Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation in 1981. She was awarded a fellowship from CMA Canada in 2001. She has been active in the CMA organization, including serving as President, CMA Manitoba and representing the Manitoba members on the CMA Canada Board of Directors in 1994/1995, moderating in the CMA Professional program from 1996 – 2001, and serving as a member of the Targeted Recruitment Committee from 2000 – 2004.

Barbara also enjoys being involved in the community. Her volunteer activities have included:

• serving on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Manitoba and chairing their Volunteer Relations Committee,
• facilitating a strategic planning session for the Board of Jocelyn House,
• volunteering for ten years in the audio program at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, a program that transcribes textbooks for visually-impaired college and university students on to tape,
• serving on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance and Investment Committee of Fred Douglas Place,
• serving on the Board of Directors and as Program Chairman for the Institute of Internal Auditors, and
• serving on the Board of Directors and as an Area Governor for Toastmasters International – District 64.