2007 marks not only the 40th anniversary of the Ontario Marine Operators Association (OMOA), but also the 40th anniversary of Georgian College. Georgian has been involved in training programs for the marine industry since 1969 when a new shop was constructed in an old armory building in Orillia. To commemorate this milestone event, 40 Georgian graduates under 40 years of age and still actively involved in marine industry careers were chosen to be featured. In many cases the individuals are industry leaders. The 40 featured in this document in no way diminish the accomplishments or successes of many other grads; listed are the forty we were most easily able to track down.

Although this article focuses primarily on their careers, these Georgian grads are also involved in their respective communities as sports coaches, hospital volunteers, local politicians and board members, and industry promoters and advisors. While interviewing them about their career choices, one frequent comment speaks volumes about this industry and the great people who work in it: “I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else.”Another fact became very clear: those who wish to can find rewarding careers in their hometowns without moving off to the “big city” to live and work. Conversely, for those who wish to escape smalltown Ontario for faster-paced life in a larger city, that option is equally available.

Skyline Marine wins the award for taking best advantage of the graduate pool from Georgian programs to staff their business and provide interesting career opportunities. The five Georgian grads currently employed have helped Skyline become one of the most successful and best-known marine dealers in Canada.