F. Thomas Stanfield is the fourth generation President and CEO of Stanfield’s Limited. Stanfield’s, a renowned Truro-based specialty-clothing manufacturer, boasts a rich entrepreneurial tradition marked by almost 150 years in the Maritimes.

At the age of 24, Thomas Stanfield found himself at the helm of Stanfield’s Limited after the sudden death of his father in 1967. Then fresh out of university and inexperienced in running a company, Stanfield credits his and the company’s success to the skillful businessmen who helped guide him in his early years as Stanfield’s Limited’s president.

During the ensuing 37 years, Stanfield’s Limited has grown in economic, geographic and technological scope. A firm believer in innovation, Stanfield has guided Stanfield’s Limited through the revolving door of fashion and textile industry trends. He eased the company into the use of new fibres and synthetics, which helped expand the company’s product line and establish Stanfield’s Limited as one of Canada’s top producers of high quality garments.

Employing more than 500 Nova Scotians, Stanfield has maintained the flexibility of a small operation, while sealing large and lucrative contracts with both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Hockey League. In 1992 and 1998 Stanfield’s Limited’s expanded into North Carolina and California respectively.

Stanfield has made countless contributions to his community both as a corporate and private citizen. He is driven by his firm belief in corporate philanthropy and accountability. In November 2001, as Chair of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI)’s Board of Directors, Stanfield oversaw the development of the organization’s five-year strategic plan and helped NSBI meet or exceed all of its corporate goals. Stanfield continues to hold that position, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the Great Eastern Corporation and North Eastern Corporation.

He is the former National Director of the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association, as well as Chair of its Nova Scotia/Newfoundland Division and Nova Scotia branch. He is a past board member of the Atlantic Provinces Transportation Commission, Industrial Estates Limited, the National Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Maritime Telegraph & Telephone Company, Limited.

Stanfield has also given generously of his time to many community endeavours. He was a Governor of the Institute for Early Childhood Education and Developmental Services and the Vice-Chair of the governing body of Kings/Edgehill School in Windsor. Continuing his family’s tradition in politics and public service, Stanfield is also a past member of the Truro Town Council.

Stanfield takes great pride in his community and makes every effort to improve life in his hometown and surrounding areas. As Chair of the Truro Industrial Commission, he oversaw the major expansion of Truro’s industrial park that resulted in attracting new businesses. Stanfield was one of the founding members and original Board Chair of the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation, an organization that has donated more than two million dollars for the purchase of new hospital equipment.

Stanfield holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University and a Master of Business Administration from Dartmouth College’s Tuck Graduate School of Business in New Hampshire.

Stanfield currently resides in Truro with his wife Beth. They have three children, Jennifer, Jill and Jon and three grandchildren. In his spare time Stanfield enjoys reading, skiing, golfing and boating.

Stanfield’s personal community commitment and high ethical standards have earned him the reputation of a businessman guided by integrity. As Tom prepares to cede Stanfield’s Limited to the fifth generation of Stanfields, everyone expects he will stay true to the company motto and “keep looking out for the next big idea”.

F. Thomas Stanfield, along with John W. Lindsay and Charles Keating, was inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame on June 1^st, 2004 at the World Trade and Convention Centre.