Monday, November 17, 2008 – Calgary, AB – On November 11, 2008, Ron Meyers, a Founding Partner of Meyers Norris Penny LLP (MNP), passed away at the age of 80. Well respected and forever remembered, his legacy and contributions as the principal architect and builder of the firm’s foundation, will continue to endure for years to come.
“We will be forever grateful for Ron's contributions and dedication to MNP”, said Daryl Ritchie, MNP’s Chief Executive Officer. “Ron put in place the elements that allowed the firm to grow rapidly, but gracefully, from its beginnings as a fairly typical regional accounting firm in Brandon, to the firm we have become today.”
Ron was a true ‘westerner’ and he wanted to build a business where he truly belonged. In 1945, Ron took over a single-office accounting practice and built the partnership, team and cultural foundations of the firm that would, by the 1970s, be poised to become a regional leader with a new name: Meyers Norris Penny.
The cornerstones of MNP’s culture laid down by Ron Meyers, have stood the test of time. “Through mergers, acquisitions, recruitments, leadership changes, geographic expansion, service line expansions and the continuous changes in the business and social environments, MNP’s culture has stayed remarkably true to the foundations upon which the firm was built,” added Ritchie. “Ron was a remarkable man and he’ll be missed.”
Don Penny, another Founding Partner of MNP, who was recruited personally by Ron in 1962, remembers him fondly.
“As MNP’s first managing partner, Ron became known to his partners and team members as the tall, boisterous, hand-shaking man who played a mean guitar at office parties. Ron promoted organic growth and insisted that people address him by his first name. Being on a first-name basis with everyone, regardless of position, may not be unusual now, but it sure was for an accounting firm in the 1950s,” said Penny. “It’s difficult to say good bye to a man who was not only my mentor, but a close friend.”
Today, MNP is the 7th largest chartered accountancy and business advisory firm in Canada, with over 75 offices across the country and more than 2,200 team members.
“Ron once said that he never dreamed we’d be the firm we’ve become, underestimating his courage, entrepreneurialism, concern for quality and client service that built this firm’s foundation,” said Ritchie. “Much of who we are today was due to Ron’s belief system, a belief system that remains intact and will continue to be instilled in our partners of tomorrow.”
Ron retired from the partnership in 1984. He is remembered by his loving wife Grace and their four children – Bruce, Tracy, Jan and Valerie – and their families and countless friends.
MNP sends condolences to the Meyers family. We will continue to honour Ron’s contributions to our firm, his profession and his community.
For more information, please contact:
Daryl L. Ritchie, FCA
Chief Executive Officer
Meyers Norris Penny LLP
403.536.2193