2009/10 LEA President
Wilda Thomas

The London Executives Association (LEA) was founded in 1934, and continues to thrive as an 80+ member organization that includes lifetime Honorary and Associate Members. Membership is limited to one representative from each business category, as it was at the organization's inception, to prevent competition between member companies. Many distinguished companies have held memberships since the four founding member firms (Haygarth Printing, London Life Insurance Company, Furtney Funeral Homes and F.O. Kime & Company) established the Association more than 70 years ago.

The LEA is the founding chapter of the International Executives Association (IEA). The international group is the result of the Alive in '95 meeting which was held in London, Ontario in 1995. Since that meeting, the IEA has grown and is now comprised of more than 110 official Executives Associations with over 5,000 member companies. Organized by geographical location, chapters exist throughout North America, Hawaii, England, South Africa and Switzerland. The IEA is currently based in Edmonton, Alberta.

LEA Luncheon meetings are held every Thursday at noon from September to June at One Restaurant & Lounge (formerly The Grosvenor Club). Meetings include a social / networking period before and after the meeting. A buffet lunch is followed by announcements, member roll call and an individual member craft talk. During roll call each member in attendance has an opportunity to acknowledge all business and third party leads given to and received from other members. We are an enthusiastic group that freely promotes other member's products and services to our family and friends as well as business associates. It is this generation of new leads that is the foundation of the Association's activities and has become the basis of our annual Leads Contest for members.

Craft talks give each member an opportunity to outline their businesses, products and services to the rest of the membership. Distribution of promotional materials is limited to the speaker of the day. It is a privilege to have access to the specialized expertise and fellowship that each member brings to the Association. Once a month the meeting is held "on-site" at a member's location. This often provides a behind the scenes view of the operations of the member's business.

During the year the LEA holds its annual Christmas Party and Sports Day as well as other social events. It is the sincere caring of members that extends the function of the Association beyond the business of the day to share in personal joys and sorrows with genuine fellowship. Each year the LEA membership honours a former board member with the Art Olivastri Award. This award recognizes significant dedication and commitment to the LEA and is coveted because it is bestowed by our peers.