Terry Nevins: Office Product Excellence

By John Fullerton,

Last week I attended the annual COPA "Stars Gala" - the Canadian Office Product Associations annual salute to the Canadian OP industry. As usual, COPA provided a great night of camaraderie, as attendees were able to connect with old friends and new acquaintances in a fun and friendly setting.

The event was held at the "Vue", an excellent banquet facility that overlooks the Royal Woodbine Golf Course in Toronto.  COPA provided an excellent setting for networking opportunities for all who attended the Gala in this spacious, informal setting.

The highlight of the night was the tribute paid to long-time OP veteran, Terry Nevins, my friend and former COPA board colleague. Terry was awarded with COPA's highest honour, the "Individual Award of Excellence" for his 40 year career in the Canadian office products industry. Could there be a more deserving recipient for this award?

Peggy and Terry Nevins with the COPA Individual Award of Excellence

"Terry Nevins" - now that is a house-hold name in our industry.

Terry joined TOPS Office Products of Oshawa, Ontario in 1976, - his first role in the industry as a sales person. By 1985, Terry was a full partner in the company, driving sales and marketing initiatives. He left TOPS to work for Canadian Independent Stationers (now Office Plus) to become their general manager and marketing director. In 1988, Terry joined Global Total Office as their director of marketing, until becoming the company’s vice-president of national accounts marketing in 2004. Terry spent 26 years with Global, helping them expand their business and grow their market. Terry retired from Global last year. “Global became the right place to be as the industry reinvented itself many times over the last 40 years,” says Terry. “I was part of that reinvention, driving change and creating products and delivering marketing programs to fit the needs of the day. It was very exciting and satisfying.”

While it is difficult to predict exactly what office environments will look like in five or 10 years, Terry says there are a few givens; people will always require digital or physical writing instruments, coffee, and places to sit and work. Thinking like your customer and moving with technology trends are important aspects for success in the office of the future. “You need to be aware of all technologies and how they will impact your own market niche and your own personal life,” says Terry. “These technology revolutions will become evolutions and the office products industry is best at evolutions — evolving product categories.”

Glen Jackson, Mark Weiler, Steve Murphy, Peggy and Terry Nevins of the Global Group

Terry is an industry visionary who was always there for his customers and colleagues with a helping hand, a kind word and straight-forward advice. For myself, I am glad that I got to know Terry during my time on the COPA board and consider him a true friend. The Canadian Office Product industry will miss Terry Nevins.