Former CEO of Fundy Communications and C1 Communications.
Bill Stanley co-founded and built Fundy Communications into a leading edge company and throughout it all, he still managed to run it like a family business.
I never felt out of place, talking with him, as I would talk with any neighbour or friend.
Fundy was a place where anybody could expect to build a lifetime career. I was employed there for 17 years and, were it not for the sale of the company, I would likely still be there today.
Notable moments:
Within my first year at Fundy, I was called out to repair a cableTV trouble at Mr Stanley's home.
I was junior in my field and wasn't confident that I was up to task at hand. I went ahead and made the best effort to restore his cable service to normal. I left feeling just a little bit nervous. What a surprise, when my manager called me into his office later that same week. He had in his hand a letter from Mr Stanley, praising my good work. Not too many CEO's will take the time for that. I knew from that moment on, that I had a future with Fundy.
One day, the big promotion came. I found myself working in the Network Management Centre, at the company's corporate head office. On the second day, Mr Stanley greeted me at the door. He had come down to congratulate me on my new assignment.
In late 1999, as the sale of Fundy was being finalised with Shaw Communications, Mr Stanley threw a gala event for all of his employees. Steak and Salmon was served and everybody was awarded with a pewter lighthouse, commemorating Fundy's achievements. We were told, that upon completion of the sale all employees would be receiving a cash award. Mr Stanley said, that we all deserved to benefit, not just the shareholders. Cash awards were rated, based upon years of service. Mine amounted to $14000.
Upon the sale completion, Shaw didn't take very long to come in and axe the jobs of over 2 thirds of the staff. Thankfully Mr Stanley had negotiated an agreement that any lay-offs must be met with severance pay. Mine amounted to $26000
But���.This isn't the end of the story. Within less than 2 weeks of my termination by Shaw, Mr Stanley sent managers to Saint John to put offers forward, to work in Mississauga Ontario. The offers were too good to be true. A $6000 signing bonus, $7000 moving allowance and healthy pay raise. Wow!
Unfortunately the new venture (C1) didn't survive. With the Nortel scandal and the collapse of Telecom in 2001, there was no hope for a new company. Mr Stanley fought to the end to try and keep all of our jobs. When bankruptcy was near certain, his management team kicked into high gear to assist the staff in locating employment elsewhere. My managers pulled out all of the stops and I was able to have a new job at TELUS-Mobility lined up, before C1 closed.
Its sad to see all the hard work end in this way, but I'm certain that Mr Stanley will find his way back to the top.
From my family and I, Thank you. Your compassion hasn't gone unnoticed.
