Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada) today announced that Tom Van Zuiden of the FEI Canada – Hamilton Chapter has been named as the 2008 recipient of the Frank S. Capon Distinguished Service Award.

“I am pleased to recognize Tom as the 2008 recipient of this award,” says Michael Conway, CEO and national president, FEI Canada. “We at FEI Canada are very grateful for his long-time service, exemplary volunteerism and demonstrated dedication to the organization and his profession.”

Van Zuiden is an accomplished senior financial executive and has played an instrumental role in many areas of FEI Canada during his 43 years of membership with the organization. After joining FEI Canada in 1965, he became involved in the Hamilton Chapter’s board, becoming chapter president in 1972-73. A member of the national executive in the 1970’s, Van Zuiden became FEI Canada’s chairman in 1975-76, where he was influential in FEI Canada becoming a vibrant separate Canadian entity, independent of its U.S. affiliate organization. He is one of the few Canadians to ever chair FEI U.S.’s North East Area Conference. Van Zuiden served as a member of FEI Canada’s Committee on Corporate Reporting (CCR). In 1991, FEI U.S. recognized Van Zuiden with the Distinguished Service Award for his work in building the FEI franchise in Canada.

Van Zuiden joined Clarkson Gordon & Co. (now Ernst & Young) in 1948 and became a fellow (FCA) of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. He joined Dofasco in 1952 and rose to the position of CFO, a position he held at his retirement in 1991. In the mid-1970’s, he was chairman of the Hamilton-Dundas branch of the Victorian Order of Nurses and in 1980, chairperson of the Hamilton District Chamber of Commerce.

Since his retirement, Van Zuiden has been active in ProBus, a Hamilton business organization for retired professionals, serving as president in 2003 and 2004. He has been active in fund raising activities with the Hamilton YWCA and Chairman of the McMaster University Hospital Board of Trustees. Van Zuiden also served as auditor of FEI Canada’s Hamilton Chapter from 1998 until 2003.

Van Zuiden will be recognized for his contributions to FEI Canada and the financial community at large at FEI Canada’s annual conference, to be held this year in Jasper, Alta. from June 9-11.

The award honours Frank Capon, who was an outstanding member for 57 years, and is credited with bringing FEI to Canada in 1948.

FEI Canada is the professional membership association for senior financial executives.