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Classification Talk by Terry McDonnell

Posted on Friday, August 21st 2009   

Terry McDonnell, whose forefathers came from Ireland at the time of the potato famine in Ireland, gave his classification talk today. Terry was born in Fort William (now Thunder Bay) but grew up in Moose Jaw.where his parents moved to when he was 5. He was one of eight children and claims that his excellent negotiation and management skills result from his childhood growing up as one of the middle children in a large family.
After university Terry started working in the agri-food industry in Calgary. After his start with Robin Hood flour he eventually was hired by Ogilvie, which was later bought by Labatts. Terry rose to the rank of VP Sales and eventually became CEO. In 1992 Labatts sold Ogilvie which at this time had become the largest milling company in Canada and the largest producer of starch in the world.
Terry then joined Connors Brothers Ltd in NB, part of the Weston Group, and turned it into the largest sardine producer in the world. However, Weston sold Connors in 2001 and Terry and his wife Marian moved to Guelph to retire and to devote time to volunteer work with the Rotary Club of Guelph.