12 July 2011
Thierry P Fletcher
Sales Director
MDG
We look forward to welcoming Thierry to South Africa. This will be his first visit to our country. 
Dan asked: “Did you plan your life in the industry or was it by default?”
I started in the industry in 1985, when I was too young and too damn poor to get myself a 20$ ticket to see Iron Maiden. Instead, I showed up at the wee hours of set up to this VERY union-controlled venue and asked for a job… and got it! I never got to see the show, but I’ve made up for it since then.
Nicolet asked: “In what country did you get lost the most and how did you handle it?”
In Canada, of course! It’s the second largest country in the world with about 60% of South Africa’s population in it. There’s plenty of woods, lakes, frozen lands and we calculate proximity between major urban areas in hundreds of kilometres. Touring in the prairies where the flats lay forever, trust me when I say that West looks like East. Thank goodness for GPS… and Tim Horton’s restaurants (line one in the touring survival guide of Canada!)
Dave asked: “Do you have any interests / hobbies outside the industry?”
Hockey, hockey, and hockey. I’m an avid reader of anything and everything, I enjoy boating, I’m a wine amateur-connoisseur, ain’t nothing like a good day of work with a great Cigar and a fine Cognac. I like hockey, I’m a fan of music (dabbling in it myself). I love trekking and photography, I’m a decent cook and, above all, I’m a total geek I’ll play games on the computer, still. I’ll watch a great hockey game with friends, I’ll join a chess tournament; I’ll gladly get my butt kicked at Magic: The Gathering, and I still think Darth Vader would kick Captain Kirk’s ass, even if he’s Canadian. Did I mention something about Hockey?
Cherine asked: “What is your most impressive international event / project?”
I could tell you but then I would have to sequester you until 2084…
I don’t think there is any ONE great project I’ve worked on, because there is no appropriate classification for the creative mind. I believe there are artistic commercial success and absolute artistic epiphany, both equally valuable and symbiotic. There have been several grandiose performances that were overwhelming I had the privilege to partake in, directly or indirectly.
Pumi asked: “What is your favourite product of all time?”
Without hesitation, the VL5. Honorable mentions, however, to Meyer UPA-1P, Grand MA, Midas XL-4, Robert Juliat Cyrano, and, let’s not forget the ones we usually do: Gaffer’s tape manufacturers around the Globe , Mag-Lite and Leatherman Wave without whom our job would be living hell at times!
Simon asked: “Have you been to South Africa before and if so, what places of interest have you visited during your stay.”
This is my first time… and, like a virgin, I’m trembling in excitement. Ok. TMI?
Amanda: “If you could live anywhere in the world, what country would you choose and why?”
My planet is my home, and I’ve yet to visit it entirely. With the extensive travels I get to do in my line of employment, however, I would say that geography yields in importance to the quality of individuals we meet, thus, I’d live in Finland, in the Emirates, in Israel, in Malaysia, in Singapore, in Japan, in Panama, in Argentina, in Canada, and, if you’re nice to me, possibly in South Africa, too!
Duncan asked: “Are you here for work or for wine?”
Error 404. File not found. Define work.
Sherryn asked: “Could you name one of your little pleasures in life?”
With the insane pace at which we live sometimes? The simplicity of dinner with friends. That, a bonfire by the lake, a guitar, a bottle of Osoyoos-Larose 2004, a ripe Hoyo de Monterrey Épicure No. 2, and a cloudless night.
