PAGE OCR B2 – March 2011 – The Ontario Construction Report
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Other association activities she helps co-ordinate are the annual general meeting and a “big banquet bash, which have also been very successful.”
Evie says the industry has become more competitive and diversified. “Early on, you were limited to a variety of chain link and a few other fence systems,” she says. “Now the di- versity of ornamental iron and other design options is in- credible.
“There are many varieties of PVC fencing, modular iron, and other types of fencing. The styling of fencing has changed drastically,” she said. “Now a lot of fences are truly beautiful.”
She says the association is advocating for updated and
more consistent standards, as they vary across the country. “When some of our member companies are requested to quote a big job with a given specification, it is difficult to comply as the standards are not consistent. The contractor, installer and owner may think they are requesting or com- plying with a certain standard, but the end result may not meet their requirements or expectations. It often isn’t ap- ples to apples.”
Evie recalls her earlier days in the industry, when women were few and far between.
“When I started, there were perhaps one or two other (women) in the business. Today, there are quite a few women running their own companies in the fencing industry and related businesses.”
This change has been gradual, she says. “In the past, women weren’t really accepted in management positions in the fence industry – now it is just the norm.” While women have made great inroads in the industry, she acknowledges that she is currently the only woman on the CFIA’s board of directors. Nevertheless, several of the association’s approximately 160 member firms are led by women.
Evie and Sid Isenberg
don’t plan to retire anytime soon. “My husband loves to work. He likes the chal- lenge – even though he is way past retirement age.” Two of their children are working in the business, ensuring continuity. She’ll also continue to contribute and lead the CFIA.
“We’ve all worked hard on our association,” she said. “Why I continue as president is (because) at the time there was no one else who wanted the job because of the time and effort it requires.” (Notably she has served as association president during some tough economic recessions.) “I think the CFIA is very important. I think it is impor- tant for the members to be together as part of an association and I do not want our association to falter; that is why I’m president.”
This sort of selfless energy defines Evie Isenberg’s con- tributions to the industry and perhaps explains her modesty when it came time to recognize her in this Women in Con- struction feature. She said she was caught off guard when other CFIA members approached and congrat- ulated her, after Ontario Construc- tion Report informed them about the upcoming feature profile. For more information about the Canadian Fence Industry Associa- tion., visit
http://www.cfia.ca. You can also visit the Medallion Indus- tries website at
http://www.medal-
lionfence.com.
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