Q and A with John Friedlan

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness? Who knows. Here are some things I really like and can make me pretty happy:

My family
Star Trek
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Hiking and being outside
The Montreal Canadiens
Running
Cookies and chocolate
Satellite radio
A big salad

What is your greatest fear?

People will find out that I don’t really understand revenue recognition.

Where do you like to vacation or spend your free time?

A long, hard hike, through mountains. Last summer I hiked from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland over 13 days. It was spectacular. In the summer of 2015, I’ll be hiking the Cordillera Blanca in Peru. I can’t wait. Bonus: I’ll be doing the Peru trip with one of my boys.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Alex and Evan Friedlan. After that, it would be the development and success of the UOIT Accounting program. I am hugely proud of our accounting instructors, our graduates, and our students who have made the program a success. In barely 10 years the UOIT program stands with any other in Canada. I guess my textbook is pretty cool too.

If you died and came back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

Ferdinand Jones or a big tree near a big mountain.

What is your most treasured possession?

Things aren’t that important to me. I have a glass bowl that I have my breakfast every morning. I’m kind of fond of that. The rain jacket I use on my hiking trips that keeps me warm and dry is pretty important. Probably most important though are pictures of people who have been important in my life and pictures of the places I’ve been to.

What is your motto?

Live long and prosper.