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60-SECOND when an opportunity came up to work with a former client when the labour rela- tions manager at the company became ill and they needed someone to take over. He took a six month contract as the labour relations manager for what was then International Truck and Engine Corp. He later joined Dunsmore Law as an associate when one of his mentors, Ross Dunsmore, left Hicks Morley to start his own boutique practice. In 2008, when the general counsel at SNAPSHOT THE LAWYER: Fernando Garcia THE COMPANY: Navistar Canada Inc. • Attended McGill Law School. • Articled at Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. • Always wanted to pursue an MBA and has been working on it part-time on alternate weekends at Wilfrid Laurier University. International Truck and Engine Corp. retired, stepping into that role looked like the next logical step. Navistar has a large legal team in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, and Garcia has been able to work with them on certain issues. "They are very much hands off but they are also good at directing in terms of where we need to be going. " The challenges of industry Recently Navistar has struggled to contain the costs of developing a new type of diesel engine for heavy trucks. • Has five-year-old twin girls with wife Griselda who is an engineer. • Member of Legal Leaders for Diversity and regional chairman for Oakville/Mississauga. • Member of the Association of Corporate Counsel. It has also been facing pressure from investors. However, through challenges come started diversifying and got into the military market and a new segment of the company opened up. We've gone through challenges before and we're starting to see some diversificiation again." Here in Canada Garcia is managing expectations of the company's dealer network. "Obviously they have con- cerns — they read the newspapers too, so I'm reassuring them and lining up other opportunities such as becoming control goods registered so that if they get military contracts they can take part in that." When it comes to his MBA studies, Garcia says he already sees the benefits of the program. "It makes you think differently. opportunities, says Garcia. "This has happened before when we faced chal- lenges in the U.S. in 2008 all of a sud- den opportunities arose. The company It gives you some new tools to work with as well. I think the more you can develop yourself and improve yourself the better off you are. I think there's always an opportunity to develop your- self. I tell my children, 'Look, I'm still in school' ." IH What's your strategy when there's no paper? Paper covers rock. Scissors cut paper. And the right technology strategy eliminates the risk of being crushed. Wortzman Nickle has vast experience giving technology advice that can be vital to ensure your success. Our resident geek, Chuck Rothman, leads a team who will protect you in delivering a rock solid solution. Call us. We will show you how to take the guessing out of the game and win hands down. Managing virtually everything. For more information contact Chuck Rothman, crothman@wnpclaw.com 416-642-9018 or Susan Wortzman, swortzman@wnpclaw.com 416-642-9025. Untitled-1 1 CANADIANLAWYERMAG.COM/INHOUSE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 • 12-08-23 1:38 PM 45

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