Ray Tanguay, former chairman of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC), was presented with an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Studies degree during Conestoga’s Convocation ceremonies on June 10.
Tanguay served as chairman of TMMC until his retirement last month. Under Tanguay’s stewardship, TMMC was recognized with 12 J.D. Power and Associates plant quality awards over 20 years, and became the first Toyota manufacturing plant outside of Japan to produce Lexus vehicles.
On June 9, Tanguay was named chair of a sub-committee of the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council. Under his leadership, the committee will provide both the provincial and federal governments with strategic advice to promote Ontario’s automotive sector in the global market.
“Ray has been a passionate advocate for college education as well as a great supporter of Conestoga, our community, and Ontario's manufacturing sector.” said Conestoga president Dr. John Tibbits.
As part of his address to graduates of the Engineering Technology and Trades and Apprenticeship programs, Tanguay shared lessons learned through his 43-year career. He told graduates to measure their value in the workplace, to understand and speak with facts, to celebrate victories and to manage threats while looking for opportunities.
“Let people discover you. Let your work, your achievements, let the things that you do in a team define who you are,” advised Tanguay. “If you try to sell yourself too hard, it’s very hard to sustain. When people discover you they will believe they have found something, something very special.”
The ceremony, and Tanguay’s address, are available for viewing online.
More than 4,200 new Conestoga graduates will be recognized over seven ceremonies held at Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener from June 8 through June 11.