Write a message to Drake founder Bill Pollock...

…when I look around at the special people in my life, it’s not surprising to find that I met most of them through Drake, including my beloved husband of 34 years. Treasured and enduring relationships! What an amazing Fringe Benefit – I’ll bet not too many other organizations can make such a claim.

It has been 33 years since I worked for Drake International, but still remember my time at Drake as a very interesting, challenging experience. Ron sent me to New Zealand to open Medox Auckland, and I understand Medox is a top performer today. One of my strong memories of Drake, is Bill Pollock asking me what I did for recreation. I replied “I play golf.” He said, “At Drake, you won’t have much time for golf.” He was right! I have made up for it since, playing golf around the world and still compete in tournaments in California, where I have lived the past 33 years.

In Pursuit of Excellence was always what we strived to achieve for our clients, fieldstaffers and candidates. To this day I still meet people who tell me of their good experiences with Drake.

Bill, you are a pioneer in the industry and I have been fortunate enough to have worked with you in the early years of my career. Not only did you help develop me as an Industry Professional, you have hugely impacted my life, and for that I am eternally grateful. Transferring me to Canada not only allowed my career to flourish, it opened the door for my family and I to live a completely different life to what we would have in South Africa. Thank you!

Congratulations Bill on being the visionary that you are and the inspiration you have been to thousands of people around the world. My time at Drake was my most rewarding in my career and cultivated my skills as a leader. Best wishes.

I remember when I joined Drake in 2011, Bill had a policy of taking new employees out for lunch. Over a soup and sandwich at the pub downstairs, I mentioned that outside of work I enjoyed music and writing, and asked Bill what kind of artistic endeavours he enjoyed. He answered “I enjoy the art of making business deals.” Ever the relentless and ambitious entrepreneur... Never Stop! All the best.

Drake took a chance on me which I am so grateful for. My time with the West team, helped shape my career from there on leaving me with beautiful friends I still connect with many years later and a trajectory to success that has put me where I am today.

I worked in Calgary in the Drake computer training and technology office. I also had a chance to travel to the US to work with one of the Drake technology companies. This was the start of my career, and I appreciate the opportunity it provided me. Drake was always a leader in the industry and Bill was always ahead of the curve with the companies he was involved with. Great memories with great people. Thanks Bill.

Dear Mr. Bill Pollock, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work at Drake Personnel Philippines. My time with the company has been incredibly rewarding, and I’ve gained invaluable experience that will benefit me throughout my career. I truly appreciate the support, guidance, and opportunities for growth that I received during my tenure. Working with such a talented team has been a privilege, and I am grateful for the chance to contribute to the company’s success. Thank you once again for everything. I wish Drake International continued success and hope to stay in touch in the future. Warm regards.

Coming up to my 17th anniversary with Drake International I am not only honored to still be part of the Drake family but blessed to have been part of this amazing organization for all this time. On my first day with Drake International, I arrived in Toronto to meet with Bill personally and share in his stories and vision for the future of the organization. Since this first meeting I have been able to share many a dinner and glass of wine with Bill not only in Canada but other countries around the globe, making Bill not only our founder and chairman but also a colleague and friend. I look forward to raising another glass of wine together soon.

Hi Bill! 50 years ago I worked for you as a recruitment consultant in Melbourne, then Adelaide, then back in Melbourne, where I managed Drake Executive for around 2 years. I learnt from you the value of hard work, how to service clients and achieve amazing results. We were all in awe of you and your success! Never to be forgotten! I am still working in corporate life and have taken those valuable lessons with me. Thank you Bill!

During my tenure with the US division of Drake, based in Toledo, Ohio, I was involved in the implementation of the ISO 9001 system and Drake P3. Although early in my career, I had the privilege of working alongside some of the industry's foremost professionals. A standout experience was attending a managers' meeting in Long Beach, California, hosted and led by Bill. It was an exceptional opportunity to connect with branch managers from across Canada and the US.

Dear Bill, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to step into Marketing at Drake—it was my first real job, and the experience I gained there was invaluable in kickstarting my lifelong career. I will never forget my time at Drake, and a highlight was certainly the lunch you took me out for. Congratulations on 75 years of incredible success, and here’s to many more! Your leadership and generosity made a lasting impact on my journey, and I’m grateful to have been part of it.

Drake will forever have a special place in my heart, I’ve been part of this organization for more than a decade and a lot of my personal and professional growth was mostly influenced by the people in this organization. I started a liaison officer, then became part of the IT Team, was appointed to lead our internal quality audit team, and eventually became part of our HR Team. Thank you, Bill and my Drake family for taking a chance on people and making everyone feel that they are heard and involved. Bill, thank you for taking that leap of faith and for building this organization, you have touched so many lives, and I will be thank you for taking that chance on me. Have a wonderful life Bill!

Dear Bill, When I think of Drake, my heart swells with gratitude and fond memories. It's where my journey in training and recruitment began, and I can't overstate the impact it has had on my life and career. Drake didn't just give me a job; it opened doors I never imagined existed and provided me with support that built the foundation of my professional career. One of my favourite memories was working with my team leader Costoula to engage large corporates and support their staff members with Microsoft Office Training held at the Hotel Sofitel. I met amazing trainers & supportive mentors that made Drake feel like a home rather than just business. To Bill Pollock, thank you for creating an organisation that has touched so many lives, including mine. Your vision has resulted in countless careers being launched. As you celebrate this year, please know that your impact reaches far beyond the walls of your offices. You've created a legacy of empowerment and opportunity that continues to ripple through the lives of all those who've been fortunate enough to be part of the Drake family. With heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes, Stella.

Drake was my first employer in Canada and I owe all my success today to the first opportunity that Drake offered me. Thank you for being such a great place to work and providing such an amazing professional exposure! Thank you Bill for building an organization that not just drives performance but also values diverse talent!

I will never forget my first job here in the Philippines, Drake International (ASC recruitment) which catapulted me today to where I am. Ron Longstaff who was under Bill Pollock has given me a chance to prove my worth and believed in me.

My time at Drake was my inaugural journey to personal development and sales. Thank you Bill for your belief and encouragement. I began my time with Drake in London, England and when I decided to move home to British Columbia I was offered a place in Vancouver, and eventually managed the Vancouver branch in the permanent placement division. Drake was one of the best opportunities for equal pay in the 80s and 90s for anyone who was willing to work and had a burning desire to succeed!! Thank You Bill Pollock.

Dear Bill, I am so proud to be part of the Drake Alumni. I shall always remember how the values and team spirit helped shaped me. I still remember the day I joined as a Consultant in a very new Cape Town branch and through trials and triumphs! 100% Clubs, red roses, just making a placement and moving countries and branches to make a go! I still proudly tell people I am a Drake person. Thank You!

Not everyone gets to work directly with a legend of their industry, but most of us at Drake have done exactly that. Thanks Bill for building a company where I learnt so much and where the skills have carried with me long since. "They look like Drake material" will be a catchphrase that forever sits in the Drake history books.

Thank you for creating an organization where opportunities are not based on our limitations; we are pushed to become more. I am grateful to become a part of Drake International.

I, like so many, cut my teeth in recruitment at Drake Australia (Melbourne). I received the best training anyone could ask for, including continuous improvement. The opportunities provided to do a variety of things including HR solutions and management was available to anyone hungry and willing. This has paved a career for me that is diverse and a work ethic that I am extremely grateful for. The many lunches, dinner and Chardonnay shared with Bill was an honour and always served with him listening and taking notes on new ideas or ways of doing things.

I always enjoyed the results focus at Drake. I worked with a great team of people and was rewarded by 100% Club in Monaco in 1989. Also the Managing for Growth Conference in Toronto in 1990 was an example of Mr Pollock’s commitment to practical development of staff. Ron Urwin was a great leader and sounding board.

Thank you Bill for some of my fondest work memories!! I met amaong friends around the world and cherish my 4 trips to Monaco. I was a 2nd generation Drakeie and Bill Thorne my Dad says hello!!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to work in Drake Hong Kong. Wishing you all the best. Stay happy and healthy.

Working at Drake has taught me so much about business and people. I've taken a lot of mental notes from my many lunches, dinners, and socials with Bill, and while I enjoyed every one of them, I also felt that I learned a lot from the most successful person I will ever meet and attribute a fair amount of my career development to his influence. Thank you for the memories, Bill!

Bill, you gave me, along with many special Drake Alumni the best start in recruitment. Most of all an opportunity for an inter-country transfer to LA. You showed me the high life and the real life. Many thanks!

Congratulations on your legendary career! You were a pioneer in BPO before the term was coined. I always admired your passion for innovation and your abundance mindset. Your career is legendary and so are your evenings out. I remember you chatting up the wait staff and asking about their career goals and backgrounds, always networking, never resting! Thanks for the memories.

My time at Drake in the 80s and 90s were pivotal to what has been a successful career. Drake established these strong foundations through great training programs and good mentoring. My friendships with Drake colleagues from this time remain firm today. I bumped into Bill Pollock in San Francisco in 2005. We reminisced about those times and the era that was the heady 80s. Bill’s ability as a global leader is inspirational.

Bill, thank you for a great career experience in the heydays of Drake Int…you have been the pioneer founder of the entire industry as we know it today. Such a huge time in my early years as a young professional, working for you in Australia. 5 years in the Drake International Sales Force, also 2 years, being first of advisory consultants, helping launch Drake Mgt Consulting. Even now 30 years later, there is a wonderful group of us as the Drake Old Girls…. Serenella T, Deb Morgan, Karen Lance, Donna Currie, Jan Bryant, Ange McGee and myself, all still connected as our very own Alumni ladies who love champagne. Bill you have led a profoundly important and interesting life... unique in your vision and drive for Excellence.