Ernie Horvath
I was saddened to hear about the recent passing of one of my first mentors in the financial services industry - Alasdair Hayes.
Beyond his accomplishments as a sales and marketing leader in the Canadian mutual fund industry, Alasdair was first and foremost a dedicated husband and father, as well as a caring and encouraging individual with a huge heart, an infectious laughter, and a passion for life and travel.
He loved to build - whether it was a business startup, a sales and marketing team, or a professional relationship. Regardless of what he was building, it all started with a clear vision and a solid foundation based on strong fundamentals, knowledge and know-how, trust and common sense, persistence and follow-through - not to mention focus and commitment to succeed!
Anyone privileged to have known Alasdair, or to have worked with him, knew his genuine nature from their first conversation with him, whether by phone or in person. He was a great judge of character, as well; quickly identifying people's strengths and abilities - which he would make sure to encourage and develop consistently over time, making them stronger for it.
I, for one, have been greatly impacted by having Alasdair Hayes in my life, and I would like to think that I have become a better person, in large part, for having known him - like so many others! And, so, Alasdair, I want to personally thank you for making a difference - not only in the industry, but more importantly, in my life: for inspiring me to become a better person, and to want to make a difference in all that I do, too. Farewell, my mentor and friend.
Wednesday July 18, 2018 at 11:51 am