Alumni Feature: Rob Elder

Volunteer & Full-time Staff from 1984-1987

THEN…

I was the Entertainment Productions Assistant Manager for one year (1983 – Jeff Gold) and then became the Manager of Entertainment Productions the following year. During my time as a student and after graduation, I was heavily involved with the USC, as many of my friends held either VP or Presidential roles throughout my time at Western. I was also involved with CHRW as a part-time DJ and ran shows with Dave Freeman (the Station Manager at the time). After leaving the USC I travelled across Europe with a friend for seven months visiting thirteen countries.

MEMORABLE EVENTS FROM YOUR YEAR(S):

We executed a number of successful Orientation Events and Shows in my time. I also have many fond memories of the establishment of the Western Charity Ball with all of my friends. Lots of programming at the Spoke Tavern and Alumni Hall including the launch of Yuk Yuk’s Comedy nights, Mr, Visit, the Westernizer and Campus TV. I was lucky enough through great connections with Concert Productions International (Toronto) and Don Jones (Centennial Hall) to have brought many top name acts: Tears For Fears, UB-40, INXS, Howard Jones ,Paul Young, Juluka, The Cult, The Tragically Hip, Glass Tiger, Anne Murray, Bruce Cockburn, The Fixx, the list continues…. The most notable success was turning a money losing office into an extremely profitable one!

NOW…

After my time with the USC, I was offered a number of Entertainment related positions, but I took a different road and joined an Industrial Distribution firm in Toronto as Marketing Manager. I have subsequently run that firm (Ontor Limited) for 29 years having grown it to 52 million in sales and almost 100 employees. The firm was awarded Canada’s 50 Best Managed Awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Three years ago I sold the Industrial Systems Division to a prominent Canadian Electrical firm but continue to run our flagship Heating, Refrigeration and Ventilation business out of our Toronto head office. We cover the Country coast to coast with a strong salesforce serving our Industry. I continue to also work with a number of start-up firms on side projects and as a board member helping one firm with a recent sale to a major Tech firm in the US.

ADDITIONALLY,

I enjoy spending time cottaging and travelling with my family (Tracy Glynn, UWO),my son Nicholas who is a current Ivey EAO and Comp Science Major, Miranda who is attending BSS in Grade 10 and our leader Mocha (King of the Family-Fluffy white Dog). Also play a ton of competitive doubles tennis and still enjoy and play a lot of music!

I have until recently been disconnected from Western but am excited to have re-connected largely due to my son’s decision to attend and it is great to be able to get back in touch with such good friends made while living and working in London