NEWS RELEASE

Published in the Guide-Advocate August 24, 2006

Katelyn Vermeiren receives Ken Shea Memorial Scholarship

Katelyn Vermeiren of Warwick Township received the 2006 Ken Shea Memorial Scholarship and will begin studying photography at Fanshawe College next week. The presentation of $3,000 for tuition was made last Wednesday by John Sim, General Manager of Moffatt and Powell, the Lumber Store.

The scholarship was established by Moffatt and Powell to honour the late Ken Shea who was a devoted 27-year employee of Moffatt and Powell. Ken always demonstrated that a positive attitude and an unending desire to succeed are the cornerstones of success. The scholarship is awarded annually to encourage and assist secondary school graduates in pursuing post-secondary education at a Canadian College or University.

The scholarship is available to the children of Moffatt and Powell employees who have been with the company at least two years.

Ken Shea graduated from Watford District High School and began his retail career at Beaver Lumber in Burlington. He started in sales at Moffatt and Powell in Watford in 1976 and was promoted to store manager in the mid 1980's. Ken acted as store manager at the Strathroy outlet from 1991 to 1995. He played a key role in the opening of the new London store location and acted as manager until 1997 when he took on the full-time position of Advertising and Hardlines purchasing at head office in London. He continued this role until his death on February 18th, 2004.

Advertising and purchasing were the two areas Ken loved the best. He was actively involved in several groups through the business. He started and looked after Moffatt and Powell's annual Contractor Show at the Western Fairgrounds in London. The show is a collection of about 50 vendors who promote their products to the 1,000 contractors who attend this show.

Ken was well known around the Moffatt and Powell outlets for his sense of humor.

In the summer of 2004, Keith Moffatt and Dave Powell decided to hon our Ken for his dedication to the business and help assist children of Moffatt and Powell employees who would be starting college or university.

Katelyn is the daughter of Barbara and Adrian Vermeiren. Her mother is a longtime employee of Moffatt and Powell. She is the first recipient of the Ken Shea Memorial Scholarship.