Hamilton Road Area Business Association

I'm sitting in Ana's office among computers, files and more computers. She has her office in the back of her brother's computer repair shop and we're chatting over tuna fish sandwiches her mom brought by. There's a real feeling of a family business here and the atmosphere is a combination of thriving productivity, creativity and entertainment. Her niece is watching Scooby-doo just outside her office door.

These days, the computer is her palette, creating incredible web sites, corporate presentations and all the things a graphic designer would do in this multimedia millennium. Working on her latest project, I watch as a doctor in Amsterdam contacts her via ICQ and a truck driver somewhere in Texas discusses a logo he wants on the side of his rig. It amazes me that she can provide technical advice and share her expertise with two people at the same time over 5000 kilometres apart! She is very modest in her description of herself as I glance at awards, diplomas and plaques and hear about her previous businesses and experiences.

Her life in this present situation is a result of a choice she made four years ago to spend more time with her family, especially her son, Alexander. She says she enjoys a slower pace these days, but I've yet to see her slow down.

St. Joseph's Health Centre was her last business location where she created presentations for doctors and professionals in the health care world for conferences and meetings around the world. Slide presentations, illustrations, posters, brochures and even speeches! These connections and contacts are still her main clients today. The AGM of The Canadian Urology Association was held in London in 1999 and Ana created their conference materials including posters, programs, promotional brochures along with the slides and electronic presentations.

When Ana speaks of her years in Toronto, her face brightens. Although living a more active and competitive life, she clearly enjoyed the pace and style a big city has to offer. She began as a free-lance artist. Her connection with Freelancer's Unlimited, an agency that supplies industry with creative professionals, kept her quite busy. It wasn't long until companies started offering her work. Nationwide Advertising utilized her skill as a troubleshooter while CRV Publications took her aboard as an Art Director. She would design and layout magazines, pick and size photographs, commission illustrations, design and assemble ads and special promotions, coordinate the art department, hire other artists a well as use her own illustration and art. She worked for a magazine, Performing Arts in Canada, as a free-lance art director which included the complete design and layout, from concept to finished art. Her work can also be seen on our own newsletter The HRABA Journal and, soon, our new web site, which is nearing it's completion.

Chances are you'll see Ana's work at many charity events such as the Big Sisters of London Barbara Rankin Golf Classic T-shirts, as well as helping with programs and fund raisers. She's a board member of the London Youth Symphony and also helps with their fund raisers. Ana also takes on one or more co-op students each year and believes strongly in encouraging young people in their career pursuits. She is very proud of “her students”.

Here are some quotes from a letter written by Angela Verkaik who gives some insight of Ana on a business as well as on a personal level:

“You are a truly great role model, not just for me, but for others...” “You...made me feel at ease.” “I have learned so much due to the fact that you are an amazing teacher.” “[The job placement] not only helped educate me in the business world but also helped me find a great friend.”

These quotes also reflect my own impressions working with Ana on the newsletter, web site and some of my own projects. The HRABA is fortunate to have such a talented and kind member.

Meeting Report by Gail Morningstar	Message from the Communications Committee by Ingelbert Lievaart II	Message from the Membership Committee by Dave Broostad
Message from the Planning Committee by Mark Whitfield	Benefits and Goals of Membership by Mary Starnaman	Annie Laurie's Lap by Ingelbert Lievaart II
Ana Tirolese Design and Graphics by Ingelbert Lievaart II	What's New! What's What! Who's Who! by Ana Tirolese	Message from the President by George H. Payne

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