CHICAGO — To honor the memory of Wendy B. McDonald, one of the power transmission/motion control industry's true pioneers, the PTDA Foundation established the Wendy B. McDonald Award. The award acknowledges a woman who has established herself as a critical contributor to her company's success and has affected positive change within the power transmission/motion control industry. The first recipient of the Wendy B. McDonald Award is Pat Wheeler of Motion Industries (Canada).
Ms. Wheeler joined BC Bearing (now Motion Industries Canada) in Kitimat in 1980 as a shipper/receiver. She quickly moved into inside sales and then to office manager in 1990. In February 2003, she was appointed branch manager—the only female branch manager in the company at that time. In 2008, she was recognized by Mrs. McDonald at the annual sales meetings for almost single-handedly managing her territory.
In her acceptance speech during the PTDA Industry Summit in Orlando, Fla., Ms. Wheeler credited Mrs. Mac with being her idol and mentor because she paved the way for her to feel confident enough to accomplish all that she has in her 34 year career.
Mrs. McDonald's daughter, Penny Omnes, and son, Scott MacPherson, were on hand to present Pat with the award.
The PTDA Foundation, whose work is funded solely by donations, was founded in 1982 to enhance knowledge, education, professionalism and productivity within the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry. The Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation; contributions are tax deductible to the full amount allowed by law. For more information, visit www.ptda.org/foundation.