Assiniboine College's Alumni Association has announced the recipients of the 2024 alumni awards for the Brandon region. A total of four awards will be presented at the Advancement Dinner in October.
This year's Distinguished Alumni award will go to Robert Eslinger, CPA, CGA, and CFO of RFNow Inc., and the Community Service award will be presented to Andrea Epp, LL.B, Lawyer and owner of Epp Law Office. These awards recognize alumni who have excelled in their chosen professions and made significant contributions to their communities.
Eslinger graduated from the Business Administration program in 1985 and earned his professional accounting designation in 1999. He became involved with the Assiniboine Alumni Association in 2015
"I was surprised with the award announcement. I didn't think something like this would happen to me. Assiniboine provides quality on-target education that is accessible to students throughout the region and across the world," he said.
Eslinger spent the early part of his career in municipal administration, serving as the CAO for the Town of Virden, before moving to the Moston House Group of Companies based out of Virden. At the time, Moston House included Air Andrew Ltd., RFNow Inc., Andrews Agencies Ltd., and Custom Software Solutions Inc. His involvement with Assiniboine has been significant as well, serving with the Alumni Association and as a member of the Prairie Innovation Centre Campaign Cabinet.
Andrea Epp graduated with a Business Administration diploma in 1997. She now works as a lawyer and owns Epp Law Office in Brandon.
"After college, I worked in banking for a number of years before returning to school to obtain my law degree. I received my call to the Bar in 2009, and have been practicing in Brandon and Carberry since that time. In 2020, I opened my own firm and absolutely love working with our team and serving the people of Westman," she said.
Epp has served on the board of the Manitoba Bar Association, YWCA, BRHC Foundation, Brandon and Area Community Foundation, and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. She currently sits on the Crime Stoppers board, The Phinney Legacy Foundation, and is the Chair of Helping Hands in Brandon.
"I have been given gifts and talents that I am grateful for and I have always believed that it is important to use those to help others out where I can. It is great that the Assiniboine Alumni Association recognizes this type of contribution to the community as it helps to bring awareness to some of these organizations that are always looking for volunteers and support."
This year's recipient of the One to Watch Award is Brian McCannell. The One to Watch award recognizes graduates who have made exceptional achievements and significant contributions to their profession and community since graduation.
A 2008 graduate of the Peters School of Business, Brian entered the financial services profession after serving as an intern with RBC while attending Assiniboine College. Working in a number of roles within RBC, McCannell now acts as a private banker for clients while continuing his education in financial planning.
Based in Neepawa, he works with a number of clients throughout the Western Manitoba area, addressing their often-complex banking, credit and wealth management needs by providing tailored seamless banking and financial solutions.
McCannell shared that working alongside a number of fellow Assiniboine graduates in the financial services field has created a form of kinship among them.
"I work with a number of colleagues here at RBC and throughout the financial services world who are Assiniboine alumni. It is nice to find out that we have that shared experience."
Assiniboine's Alumni Association is proud to recognize agriculture instructor Danielle Tichit as the Educator of the Year.
Tichit joined the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment in 2017 and has gone on to mentor a number of former students and fellow instructors. Beyond her classroom leadership, Tichit volunteers with the Prairie Certified Crop Advisory Board, and Agriculture in the Classroom, a program where K-12 students are able to learn more about the importance of agriculture to our world and where their food comes from.
At Assiniboine, Tichit's connection with her students has been evident for a number of years.
"Helping people develop their skills and the confidence to venture out in their own careers in agriculture has always been a passion of mine. The agriculture industry and the opportunities available to graduates are both diverse and exciting. The Russ Edwards School is truly a Learn by Doing' environment, and our students develop key skills that they can apply to the workforce immediately," she said.
"I was surprised and humbled that the alumni would take the time to nominate me. I love what I do and I'm inspired by my students every day. This means a great deal to me."
The event honouring this year's recipients takes place October 24th at the Victoria Inn.
For event details, sponsorship information, or tickets contact Amanda Hamm, Alumni Relations Co-ordinator, at 204.725.8700 ext. 7124.
