D’arcy Legros, manager of the Trent University Bookstore, was honoured with the Each and Every Associate award this May at the Follett Group Connection Conference in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Legros was nominated for the prestigious award by peers and colleagues and was the only recipient chosen from among hundreds of nominees across Canada and the U.S.

“This award is the pinnacle of my career,” Mr. Legros expressed. “The nomination alone was huge – it’s not every day you get nominated for an award like this.”

Mr. Legros was nominated by a regional manager, and letters from his colleagues and Trent University team expressing why he deserved to win were sent to the Follett Group selection committee. When he discovered the number of nominees, more than 700, he didn’t think he had a chance at winning: “I felt like I’m just this little guy from Trent University in Peterborough, how was I going to win? It’s not often a Canadian wins these kinds of awards at the big North America-wide events.

“This award is not only for me, it’s for my team,” he said. “They do good work, and because of them I can be the recognized leader. This award is for how we work together. I’m happy to work for a company that shows its respect and appreciation for its employees through awards like this.”

His team kept the news a secret from him until just a few weeks before the conference. “I got a phone call, and my associates started getting really excited and making lots of noise,” he recalled. “Over the phone, I heard my regional manager say ‘D’arcy, you are the lucky winner.’”

A long-time employee of Trent University and the Follett Group, and a store manager and Follett Group trainer, Mr. Legros was awarded the Each and Every Associate Award for being an ambassador for the Follett Group values, which include: fostering an environment that allows associates to reach their full potential, providing clear feedback and accepting constructive criticism with an open mind, and appreciating and respecting diverse ways of thinking. A press release from the Follett Group noted that “D’arcy possesses true leadership qualities and is very passionate about seeing others flourish and succeed.”

Mr. Legros has been selling books for 41 years. He was recognized for 40 years of service with an award from Follett last year. He came to Trent University in 1975, and has worked nearly every position at the Trent Bookstore.