The offices of the President and General Manager were established in 1896 with the creation of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. These positions were held jointly by the one officer of company until 1975, when the Board of Directors of the Company divided the two positions, thereby relieving the President from management of plant operations.
Under the General By-Laws of the Company, the President, when present, presided over all Board of Directors meetings. He also signed all documents that may have required his signature and performed any other duties assigned to him by the board. The President exercised general supervision and control over the business of the Company and performed such duties as are usually associated with the office of President of Chief Executive officer of a company.
The General Manager had full power and authority to manage and direct the business and affairs of the Company. He was also responsible for employing and discharging agents and employees of the Company. After A.E. McKenzie gifted the majority of his company shares to the Government of Manitoba in 1945, the General Manager remained responsible for all operations of the Company. However, the General Manager found himself accountable to a Board of Directors comprised mainly of government appointees.
A. E. McKenzie held the offices of President/General Manager from 1896 until his death in 1964, at which time J. Lasby Lowes succeeded him. Following Lowes' retirement in 1968, A.R. Swanson was appointed by the government to fill the positions. Anthony J. Maruca became President of A.E. McKenzie Co. Ltd. in 1972. In 1975, the Board of Directors appointed William Moore the first individual to hold the position of General Manager without also occupying the President's office. At the same time, Mr. Pat Kelleher was named the new interim President. Following Kelleher's resignation, Moore was appointed President of the company. Keith Guelpa became President around 1984 following Moore's departure from the company to face criminal charges arising from his activities as an officer of the company. Raymond West assumed the position after Guelpa’s departure.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of custodial history of A. E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd.
Scope and Content
Series consists almost entirely of records and documents generated by the first two President/General Managers of A.E. McKenzie Seed Co. Ltd. In addition to the records created by A.E. McKenzie and J. Lasby Lowes in their capacity as President/General Manager, records pertaining to the various properties owned by the Company are also included. The series also contains marketing documents, including catalogues and sales literature, as well as a reference library comprised of twenty titles dealing with business and the seed industry and some records dealing with the President/General Managers following Lowes' retirement.
The series has been divided into seven sub-series, including: (1) A.E. McKenzie; (2) J. Lasby Lowes; (3) Comptroller; (4) Properites; (5) Marketing; (6) Reference Library; and (7) Miscellaneous Publications/Correspondence.
Storage Location
RG 3 A.E. McKenzie Company fonds
McS 2 Office of the President/General Manager
Photograph shows Chancellor Stanley Knowles with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, followed by Hon. James Richardson, Princess Anne and Dr. A.L. Dulmage (President of Brandon University) walking to the cornerstone laying of the John R. Brodie Science Centre.
Photograph shows A.L. Dulmage (President of Brandon University) presenting a ceremonial trowel to Queen Elizabeth II at the cornerstone laying ceremony for the John R. Brodie Science Centre. Prince Phillip looks on.
Photograph shows Queen Elizabeth, A.L. Dulmage (Brandon University President), Prince Phillip and Princess Anne just after the ceremonial trowle presentation at the cornerstone laying ceremony of the John R. Brodie Science Centre.
Photograph shows dignitaries and onlookers on the front lawn in front the the Original Brandon College Building on the day of the cornerstone laying ceremony for the John R. Brodie Science Centre. Visible dignitaries include: H.R.H. Prince Charles (facing crowd), band leader Dr. Merton Utgaard? (from North Dakota), H.R.H. Princess Anne (dark hat), Dr. A.L. Dulmage Brandon University President), Stanley Knowles, and the Hon. James Richardson (M.P. Wpg South, Cabinet Member). Clark Hall and part of the Education Building are visible in the background.
Photograph is looking down the loading ramp of the John R. Brodie Science Centre. The entrance to the ramp is off Louise Avenue on the south side fo the building.
Item consists of three contact prints (approximately 1.5" x 1") of the John R. Brodie Science Centre. All of the images are looking south and show the north side of the Brodie Building as well as the hedge along the sidewalk on 18th Street and part of McMaster Hall.
Item is a contact print that is looking east and was taken from McMaster Hall. Image shows the McMaster Hall gardens under construction and the north side of the John R. Brodie Science Centre.
