Trusted by Those Who Know Me Best

I have known Eric Bjergso for about 30 years, as a friend, and as manager of Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers, which is a national company with multiple retail outlets across Canada. He also bought wool from producers throughout Canada, and sold internationally. Eric managed the business for many years, and made it into a successful and profitable business. He dealt with people of all levels. He had a good and fair relationship with staff, producers and foreign buyers. He made thoughtful decisions that benefitted all those involved. I believe that Eric would make a very good councillor.

Having had a 40+ year business relationship with Eric during his leadership at Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers as General Manager and mine as a co-owner of Briggs & Little Woolen Mill, Canada’s oldest woolen mill, working together was key. During this time we lost our entire production facility to fire and Eric’s ability to work with us through that crisis was key in our ability to resume production after that devastation! His experience in following and reading world trends in wool marketing gave us an accurate forecast of coming trends and price changes. Knowing Eric as I do, as a councillor your region would be blessed to have someone with his wealth of experience dealing with finances, people of all cultures and ethnicity and especially compassion and understanding. If I had the opportunity to have him represent our municipality, Eric would get my vote, hands down, so don’t miss this great opportunity!

As a longtime sheep breeder, I have had the pleasure of watching the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers depot in Carleton Place flourish under Eric’s leadership. Through his vision and strong management, it has grown from a simple wool drop-off location into a thriving destination for livestock supplies, equestrian equipment, and the Real Wool Shop, attracting customers from across the Ottawa Valley. Eric also expanded the organization’s reach by promoting it at agricultural events, including the Ottawa Valley Farm Show, and developing international markets through trade shows in China. His leadership, foresight, and genuine, personable nature have been instrumental to this success. I have no doubt that wherever his future takes him, Eric will continue to be a tremendous asset to any organization.

I have known Eric Bjergso in a professional capacity for over 15 years during his tenure as general manager of a national Canadian business. In our interactions he has always been organized, pro-active, professional and a great communicator. I wish him every success in his bid for election to municipal council.

I'm happy to endorse Eric Bjergso for Drummond North Elmsley Council. I've known Eric both persomally and professionally for more than 25 years. He skillfully managed a national company and has experience in international marketing. Eric is fiscally responsible, works hard to find practical solutions and always acts with honesty and integrity. He knows how to set goals, make a plan and get things done. I believe he will be a strong advocate for the community and will use public resources wisely. Eric has the leadership, accountability and vision needed to serve the people of Drummond North Elmsley well.

We have known Eric in a professional capacity for 30 years. During that time, he served as General Manager of a highly successful national marketing cooperative. His business acumen had a significant positive impact on local, regional, national, and international business transactions. He consistently conducted these transactions with professionalism, integrity, and respect. Eric has a remarkable ability to recognize opportunities that others might overlook while skillfully avoiding unprofitable ventures. In our personal experience, he has always conducted himself in a polite, thoughtful, and supportive manner. The Municipality of Drummond/North Elmsley Township would benefit greatly from Eric's extensive business experience, sound judgment, and strategic insight.

I have known Eric for over 40 years and have had the privilege of watching his exceptional leadership, dedication, and character firsthand. As longtime General Manager of the Canadian wool industry, Eric looked after the interests of Canadian wool producers for decades. With virtually no wool processing in Canada, he successfully marketed Canadian wool throughout the world, building lasting relationships through outstanding service and professionalism. The wool industry experienced both highs and lows over the years, but Eric consistently responded with innovation and determination. He developed new marketing opportunities in having outlets to serve livestock producers across Canada and even expanded the market to consumers with a wool fashion store for all consumers. His vision and commitment helped strengthen the industry during challenging times. One of Eric's greatest strengths is his ability to bring out the best in people. He has a remarkable gift for selecting and developing individuals who share his values of helpfulness, integrity, and genuine care for others. You can always count on Eric to be a dedicated servant leader and an outstanding human being. I have every confidence that he will bring the same integrity, sound judgement, and commitment to serving others as a member of the Municipal Council. I highly recommend Eric for Municipal Council and know he will serve the community with distinction.

As a large sheep flock operation, we have worked with Eric Bjergso for 40 years during his time with the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers. As a shareholder in the Co-op, I was consistently impressed by Eric throughout our many exchanges and deeply valued his business acumen in driving the organization's success. He was always a true gentleman and exceptional with people. Over the decades, I have developed nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for him.

I've known Eric for many years as a devoted family man and someone who leads with integrity. His experience managing a national company, combined with his vision for projects like the railway museum that have strengthened local tourism, make him an excellent choice for our community. I've always known Eric to be hardworking, approachable, and committed to making a positive difference. His years of leadership managing a national company and his passion for initiatives that benefit our community, like developing the railway museum and promoting tourism, speak for themselves.

I am writing this letter to express my wholehearted endorsement of Eric Bjergso for the position of municipal councillor in the municipality of Drummond North Elmsley Township. As possibly the longest serving wool depot operator of the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers, plus one of the longest serving shearers in Ontario, I have had the privilege of working closely with Eric who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to excellence, professionalism, unquestionable integrity and innovation in his role as General Manager. Eric's interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, his passion for people plus his strong leadership abilities would be an excellent addition to the municipality of Drummond North Elmsley Township.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Eric for over 40 years and worked closely with him as IT consultant to the Woolgrowers in Carleton Place. Eric led a century-old institution through a full modernization - new systems, new processes, a new way of doing business. Eric accomplished this with vision, clear purpose and empathy, keeping staff loyal, engaged and positive along the way. That's a true test of leadership and the organization is stronger for it.

I have known Eric for over 40 years and have long admired his outstanding business and marketing skills. He managed the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers, a producer-owned organization, with the expertise and diplomacy that such a people-focused organization demands. During that time, he also managed employees, agents, and contractors at company branches across Canada. He was instrumental in successfully marketing a unique Canadian agricultural product, “raw wool,” to local and international markets. That required particular sales skills in the face of fearsome foreign competitors. His business acumen also enabled him to obtain numerous government grants to support his marketing efforts. That combination of talent, skills and experience would make Eric an ideal municipal councillor to serve the citizens of Drummond North Elmsley Township.