Hometown – Midland, ON 
Year of Graduation - 1999 
Current Job Description – Manager, South Bay Cove Marina, Honey Harbour ON.

Jill has deep roots in the marina industry. Her Uncle Gord Blake was an industry leader and legend in the business. Her position involves the operation of a full service marina, restaurant and chandlery. This includes day-to-day operations of the marina and facilities such as fuel dock, marina chandlery, customer service and employee management. Some comments from Jill: “Having chosen a career in the marine industry has proven to be very rewarding. The biggest reward is the people that you meet including employees, co-workers and customers. Being able to work outside on Georgian Bay is also a big advantage. There are so many aspects of a marina, which make each day interesting and different.”

Hometown – Orillia, 
ON Year of Graduation – 1993 
Current Job Description – President, Rob’s Marine Service, Penetanguishene, ON.

Rob grew up around boats so a marine career was a natural fit. “It’s been a great career choice for me,” he claims. “There is always something new with lots to learn and I really like that my services are in demand.” Rob even gets to pass the knowledge he’s gained from his 15 years of experience on to others, as he has been teaching at Georgian part-time in the off-season.

Hometown – Newmarket, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1995 
Current Job Description – Sales Consultant, Crate Marine Sales Keswick, ON - largest Carver yacht dealer in Canada and number 10 in the World.

Jason is among the top sales leaders at one of Ontario’s oldest marinas. Lloyd Crate, now retired, was a founder of the Ontario Marine Operators Association 40 years ago. Jason explains, “I love my job and enjoy going to work every day. Be sure to let young people know that there are tons of jobs and lots of career opportunities in this business.”

Hometown – Hamilton, ON 
Year of Graduation – 2001 
Current Job Description – Fiberglass Specialist, Bay Port Yachting Centre, Midland, ON, one of the Parkbridge Marine Group.

Chris spent 2 years in the marine industry after graduation, decided the future did not look promising, so he moved to another line of work. However, Chris missed being around marinas and boats, so when an opportunity came for him to practice his considerable skills at Bay Port, he jumped at the chance. “I live in Penetang, just a 5 minute commute, and I really enjoy the working atmosphere here,” Chris says. “I get to do every kind of repair work, from simple gelcoat and cosmetic repairs to major structural rebuilding and insurance work; the variety keeps things interesting.”

Hometown – Port Credit, ON 
Year of graduation – 1996 
Current Job Description – Assistant Harbour Master, Port Credit Yacht Club, Port Credit ON.

Mike worked at several land and water based marinas in the greater Toronto area before accepting his current position. “I really like it here, with the great people, friendly atmosphere and the diversity of my duties. The quality of the equipment at this club makes every operation simpler and easier, and coming to work is a pleasure.”

Hometown – Burlington, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1998 
Current Job Description – Insurance Adjuster/Surveyor, McLarens Canada, North York Office, Property Loss Adjusters/Marine Specialists.

Richard instantly became interested in the insurance part of the marine business while attending insurance classes instructed by Bruce Robertson and Roger Bickers, both marine insurance specialists. Roger offered him employment after graduation, and he has moved about the company but now specializes in the marine division. “In the summer I sometimes feel I’m on vacation traveling around to cottage country locations investigating and processing claims,” Rich states. He works from a home office in Barrie, and when he commutes to the office, it is in offhours. In the off-season he processes other property claims. “I am extremely happy with the career choice I discovered while attending Georgian,” he says.

Hometown – Penetanguishene, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1994 
Current Job Description – President & General Manager, Hindson Marine, Penetanguishene, ON.

Kelly says his career choice couldn’t have been better and he can’t imagine doing anything else. “The whole atmosphere around here is such a positive one,” he says. “It would be an even better choice for people entering the business today than when I started, because our industry has moved into the 21st century with more career opportunities, higher salaries and better working conditions. We had to change to compete or end up with no employees,” Kelly adds.

Hometown – Elliott Lake, ON 
Year of Graduation: 1996 
Current Job Description: Special Order Buyer for Land “N” Sea, a Division of Brunswick Corporation, Mississauga, ON.

Dave had co-op jobs, worked in marinas and never considered the parts and accessories business until an opportunity arose to join his current employer two years after graduation. He makes these comments: “The Marine Program at Georgian and my marina experience gave great preparation and industry knowledge for my current position of researching and purchasing parts and accessories for resale to the marina dealer network.”

Hometown – Mississauga, ON 
Year of Graduation - 2001 
Current Job Description – Marina Operator, Credit Village Marina, one of the Mississauga City marinas.

Brian completed his co-op terms with Mississauga Municipal marinas and went directly to work for them after graduation. He describes his career: ”I enjoy interacting with customers, love having an office outdoors and enjoy working with my hands repairing docks, etc. I enjoy the operations aspect of the marine industry. It has given me a greater understanding of how our marinas operate and what is involved in keeping them in good shape and what makes them a success. I like challenges too, whether it is repairing equipment in the middle of winter, assisting in a rescue, or even just towing a boat. The marine industry will NOT leave you bored!”

Hometown – Meaford, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1991 
Current Job Description – Manager of Publications for Boat Value and Outboard Motor Dealer Bluebook .

Glen is third generation in the marine industry, so it was a natural career choice for him. This 40th year of the OMOA has some other significance for Glen; his grandfather was one of the founding members of the association and attended the inaugural meeting at the Toronto Boat Show in 1967. He enrolled in the first Georgian Marine Technology program and was one of the first graduates. He has worked in several marinas and for a time with a major Canadian boat builder before joining a publication business started and once owned by his family. “I love the job I have now and am happy to be back in this part of the business I know so well,” Glen states.

Hometown – Winnipeg, MB
Year of Graduation – 1997 
Current Job Description – Marina Operator, Lakefront Promenade, City of Mississauga Municipal Marina.

Kelly served his co-op terms at Bristol Marine in Port Credit and for the City of Mississauga; he joined the staff at Lakefront right after graduation, working with Dave Broderick, the city marina manager. “This job is great. I enjoy working with the super customers here,” Kelly stated. “In this job, you never know what to expect and every day is different. I’ve been here 9 years now and it feels like home. I’m living on my boat here on-site and I’m just now thinking of buying a real land-based home.”

Hometown – Lefroy, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1993 
Current Job Description – Service Manager, Monto Reno Marina, Lefroy ON: a full-service marina on the west shore of Lake Simcoe.

Art describes his career: “Every day brings different and new challenges and learning experiences, so there is no chance of finding your job boring. Where else can you wear shorts (and new this year, safety shoes) to work every day and work in such a great atmosphere? The program at Georgian gave me a good exposure to what I could expect in my career choice.”

Hometown – Barrie, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1998 
Current Job Description – Boat delivery captain/technician, Skyline Marine, Orillia Sea Ray Yacht and Sportboat dealer.

Mike likes the variety in his duties of delivering boats to new owners and familiarizing them with all the systems, controls and accessories on board. As he explains, “I’m the last link between the new owner, the boat manufacturer and the marina. When the customer takes delivery of his boat, it had better be right. It’s a lot of responsibility, but very challenging and exciting, especially since we have delivered a yacht per week this spring.”

Hometown – Port Colborne, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1994 
Current Job Description – Sales Consultant, Skyline Marine, Dealer for new and pre-owned Sea Ray Yachts, Orillia, ON.

Kevin worked at two Orillia area marinas before joining Skyline in North Toronto. Five years later Skyline moved their operations to Orillia, and Kevin is back again. Kevin just received his U. S. Certified Professional Yacht Brokers designation and is working with a number of members of the Ontario Yacht Brokers and Dealers Association to develop a similar program for Ontario brokers. As one of the top two sales consultants at Skyline, he helped his employer become the number nine Sea Ray dealer in North America in 2006. Kevin thanks Georgian for providing him with his knowledge of boats and for grooming him to be the professional he has become. He encourages young people to investigate careers available in the industry that have provided him with great opportunities.

Hometown – Exeter, ON 
Year of Graduation – 2001 
Current Job Description – Service Manager – Skyline Marine, Canada’s largest full-line Sea Ray Yacht and Sportboat dealer.

Mike’s satisfaction comes with seeing how happy new boat owners are, as well as long-time customers. Many have owned several Sea Ray boats and the repeat business means that at Skyline they are doing their job well. He adds, “We are employing leading-edge technologies with the equipment and accessories on these new Sea Ray Yachts, and it is very exciting and challenging to keep abreast of the changes. Early summer is busy but one is never bored in this business.”

Hometown – Victoria Harbour, ON 
Year of Graduation – 2005 
Current Job Description – Customer Service and Sales, Bay Port Yachting Centre, Midland – A full service 700 slip marina, one of the Parkbridge Marine Group.

Kyle is third generation in the marina business, and joined Bay Port immediately after graduation. On a very busy day in the busiest time of year, when asked what he likes best about the marina business, he replied without hesitation: “I love the atmosphere and the attitude and this is such a great place to be!”

Hometown – Portland, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1999 
Current Job Description – VP Sales and Marketing, Len’s Cove, a 180- slip, full-service marina and sales facility on the Rideau Canal System.

Colin joined Len’s Cove immediately after graduation. Among other duties he looks after all marketing at the marina. Like most others in the industry he loves being around boats and the water. Colin comments about his career: “Even though it’s really busy in the boating season, and we do almost as much work in the winter now, I have the flexibility to take extended vacations in the off-season, and I do every year. The winter work schedule, while busy, doesn’t have the same urgency as in the boating season. It’s been a great career choice for me!”

Hometown – Sutton, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1996
Current Job Description – Parts Manager, Crate Marine Sales, Keswick - Largest Carver yacht dealer in Canada.

After graduation Jamie worked for two years in a small Central Ontario marina before joining Crates in 1998. The parts department was where he wanted to be, and he has advanced to become the manager. Jamie describes his job: “Where else could I work in an atmosphere where sun and fun is so prevalent, and my customers are all enjoying themselves in a leisure activity they love so much? This has been a very rewarding career choice for me.”

Hometown – Orillia, Ontario 
Year of Graduation: 1996 
Current Job Description: Lead Technician, Crate’s Lake Country Boats, Orillia, ON. 

Kevin worked in local marinas until he thought he’d found greener pastures in another industry and moved on. He soon realized the marine industry was where he really wanted to be and joined the service department at Crate’s Lake Country. He quickly advanced and is now the lead technician for the central Ontario full-line Regal Dealer. Kevin expresses his feelings: “The marine industry opens up new challenges and opportunities without the repetitive daily tasks of most career choices. The industry is in continuous growth and leaves room for career enhancement and improvement; with a team of professionals that work in the industry new skills are constantly being developed.”

Hometown - Whitby, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1996 
Current Job Description – Electronic and navigation system design and installation, Crate Marine Sales Ltd., Keswick, ON.

Jan works with new boat owners, from small cruising boats through to 65-foot motor yachts, to evaluate their needs for electronics and navigation systems. These systems may be as good as, or even better than, the entertainment and lifestyle accessories the boat owners have in their homes; plus navigation systems, autopilots, and remote control joysticks that allow the owner to maneuver the vessel from any location on board. Never a dull moment and Jan’s career is evolving every day!

Hometown – Pointe au Baril, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1995 
Current Job Description – Marina Owner/Manager, Payne Marine Ltd., a 110-slip, full-service and sales marina, Pointe au Baril, ON.

“I love what I do,” Mark explains. “I get to work with customers who are excited about purchasing a boat from me and want my follow-up services, and don’t mind paying a premium for them because of the great service I deliver.” He also adds, “Make sure you spread the word to young people considering a marina career, that this business is changing and there are many lucrative positions available. I pay my technicians very well and offer them on-site accommodations, yet I still have difficulty finding anyone. Our customers pay to vacation here and we can work and live here too.”

Hometown – Meaford, ON 
Year of Graduation: 1995 
Current Job Description: Service Manager, Crate’s Lake Country Boats, Orillia, ON.

Andrew’s comments: “If you want a career in which every day is an adventure as soon as you arrive at work, I would highly recommend the Marine Industry. With the constant development of new electronics, engines and powertrain products, the marine industry is continuously evolving. For a person with the right skill set the sky is the limit as far as occupational growth is concerned. Having briefly had a job outside of the industry, I can tell you that working in another business is difficult once you become accustomed to the marine life and boat business in general. When I came back to this industry I may have quit a job, but I restarted a rewarding career.”

Hometown – Aurora, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1995 
Current Job Description – Fibreglass Specialist, Skyline Marine, Orillia, ON.

Roger has worked at Skyline since graduation and now lives in Cookstown, a short commute from work. After many years as a fiberglass specialist, Roger has added electronics and engines to his specialties. Asked to describe his job, Roger replied without hesitation. “I love the working conditions and work. Every day brings new experiences, I meet great people and (don’t tell everyone), I get to play on other people’s million dollar boats!”

Hometown – Orillia, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1995 
Current Job Description – Administration Manager, Ontario Marine Operators Association, Penetanguishene, ON.

After graduation Duane worked for a large Midland manufacturer for 3 years before joining the OMOA. Duane’s role at the largest marine trade association in Canada is certainly varied. He looks after many member services, keeps the financial records and serves on the member Marinassure Insurance Committee. He fields most calls and enquiries and has an amazing ability to recognize voices after he has heard them only once. He helps maintain the OMOA website, organizes volunteers to help with the many boat shows, and he loves to attend the shows as well by representing the marine industry.

Hometown – Toronto, ON
Year of Graduation – 1993 
Current Job Description – Marine Loss Adjuster, Aviva Insurance, Toronto, ON.

Cam describes his life in the marine industry: “I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of recreational marine claims including damage appraisal, subrogation & yacht surveying in Ontario and Manitoba. I’m the third generation of my family in the marine industry. My first job was pumping gas at age 15, and I have been extremely lucky to work for industry giants like Gord Blake, Ken McDonald, Gary & Debbie Poole, Bruce Monroe and Roger Bickers. I also worked for Lloyds of London, Bay Port Marina, managed Dutchman’s Cove Marina and The Moorings at Snug Harbour. As an adjuster, I really enjoy being able to help boaters when they have a problem. Not all adjusters are jerks.”

Hometown – Burlington, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1994 
Current Job Description – Technical Specialist/Marine, Yamaha Motor Canada, Head Office, Toronto, ON.

From 1988 until 2004, Rob had one of the most exciting hobbies a young man could aspire to: offshore racing. He and his father Dennis were a winning team in the American Power Boat Association offshore racing series. Since graduation Rob has worked as a manufacturer service representative for Yamaha, with some of the following responsibilities: Troubleshooting, developing training seminars, writing reports for the factory and or bulletins for the dealer network. “When I have the chance to do some on-water testing, it is great!” he beams. “In my opinion, any job that allows you to work with boats is great.” Rob does not have a lot of daily direct contact with Yamaha dealers, but his field staff do report that marine dealers are “always looking for qualified staff, especially good technicians and riggers.”

Hometown - Orillia 
Year of Graduation – 1995 
Current Job Description – General Manager, Hot Knots Landing Marina, Orillia, ON.

Shane says choosing a career in the marine industry was “absolutely a great decision.” He claims to have lots of fun at work, but his love of boats and just being around the water make up for any shortcomings in his job. “If you aren’t passionate about boats and water, you could be worn down by the pace in the busy summer season, but seeing the smiles on our customer’s faces as they enjoy their boats and our great facilities, makes it all enjoyable,” he adds.

Hometown – Barrie, ON 
Year of Graduation – 2001 
Current Job Description – Accessories and Parts Store Manager, Sandy Cove Marine, a large multi-line sales outlet on 400 Highway at Innisfil Beach Road, ON.

Don claims that getting the right employment opportunity after graduation was the key to his success in the marine business. “What I do is interesting and exciting,” he states. “How many people do you know who look forward to getting up and going to work every morning? I do.”

Hometown – Penetanguishene, ON
Year of graduation - 1994 
Current Job Description – Operations Manager, Beacon Bay Marina, Penetanguishene, ON.

Shayne’s main function at Beacon Bay is to keep the place humming along smoothly and to keep the customers happy. He must be doing a pretty decent job, because he says the thing he likes most is being around smiling, happy people. “To keep customers in that frame of mind, all you have to do is look after them and provide the service you yourself would expect from any company,” Shayne comments.

Hometown – St. Thomas, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1991 
Current Job Description – Marina Manager, Ojibway Bay Marina on Lake Couchiching in Rama, ON.

After graduation, Steve worked at Wye Heritage Marina for Ken MacDonald, an industry leader, before accepting the position at Ojibway Bay Marina owned by Rama Mnjikaning First Nation. Steve is one of only three Canadians to earn the designation “Certified Marina Manager,” (CMM) from International Marina Institute in Washington D.C. His mentor and previous employer, Ken MacDonald is one of the others. Steve has worked with the band council and economic development department to expand and upgrade the 150- slip marina and turn it into a first class facility on the east shore of Lake Couchiching.

Hometown – Scarborough, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1993 
Current Job Description – Customer Delivery Technician, Sea Ray Yachts, Skyline Marine, Orillia, ON.

Greg joined the team at Skyline immediately after graduation. He is the person doing the final inspection and preparation on each new boat before personally delivering it. He uses a custom truck and trailer combination designed for vessels up to 55’ to deliver boats wherever purchasers want. Greg gives new owners an orientation to the boat and every system and accessory on board including engine operation, electronics, generators, heads galleys, pumps, etc. He then does a familiarization sea trial to make sure owners can comfortably handle their new vessels. As Greg says, “In the busy season, the job can get a little hectic, but I’ve been doing it for 14 years and I love it.”

Hometown – Penetanguishene, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1993 
Current Job Description – Owner, Bass Lake Tools, Penetanguishene, ON.

After graduation, Mike worked for dryland marinas before starting his own mobile tool business. He is now a supplier of hand and power tools to marine technicians and marinas. Mike comments, “While I still miss the boat business, I am now responsible for my own welfare and the more effort I put into my business, the more I derive from it. While calling on marinas and talking to technicians I see a big improvement in the working conditions, salaries and benefit packages now offered, which is a major change from 10 years ago.”

Hometown – Orillia, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1991 
Current Job Description – Sales - boats and recreational power products, Performance Recreation, Cumberland Beach, ON.

Sean worked in yacht sales in Orillia and Fort Lauderdale and managed Cole Harbour Marina in Vancouver before moving back to Ontario, to a more reasonable cost of living and to be close to family. After a brief period away from the marine industry he returned to central Ontario to do, as he says, “What I know best and do well, and really missed; boats and the marine business. We sell such a large variety of products, something is always happening here.”

Hometown – London, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1998 
Current Job Description – Service Manager, Ed Huck Marine, a 200-slip marina and new and used boat dealer, Rockport, ON (Thousand Islands).

Sue started a pharmacy program at university before deciding to make a career of working around boats. Sue likes the atmosphere around the marina, working outside and around the water. The Thousand Island area is a major tourist destination for boaters. “While customers are becoming more demanding in the short boating season, they really appreciate a job well done and quality timely service” she states and adds, “Good luck in attracting new people into our industry because the demand for qualified staff is tremendous!” Just in case sharp readers wondered about the two similar names, Sue and Steve met at Georgian, married and live in Portland with their two children. They even have similar careers as service managers!

Hometown- St. Thomas, ON 
|Year of Graduation – 1998 
Current Job Description – Service Manager, Len’s Cove Marina, Portland ON - A full-service 180 slip marina and yacht sales operation on the Rideau Canal.

“My career choice gives me one of the things I desired and that was lots of responsibility,” was Steve’s response to the question about his career in the demanding job of service manager. “While it gets very hectic in the early part of the season, things smooth out and it is really a very rewarding place to be. While we are now almost as busy in winter as summer, the pace is much more normal and we all get some deserved downtime.” Steve also pointed out that it is very important to him and his wife that they are able to raise their young family in a small-town setting, but if they chose, they would have as many opportunities in bigger centres.

Hometown – London, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1998 
Current Job Description – Sales Manager – Bridgeview Yachts Inc., Point Edward, ON.

After graduation, Craig worked at a large marina/sales outlet in South/Central Ontario before his recent move to Point Edward, closer to his hometown of London and into the sales segment of the marine industry. When asked about his career choice Craig was quick to reply, “This is an exciting business to be in and it’s so easy to be passionate about what I’m doing. The program at Georgian really opened my eyes to the choices of career opportunities available to me after graduation, and Georgian was a great choice for me. I could work anywhere in the world.”

Hometown – Port Perry, ON 
Year of Graduation – 1991 
Current Job Description – Lead technician, Goreski’s Lakeside Recreation Marina, one of the Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities Group, Port Perry, ON.

Buck was part of the first graduation class of the Marine Technology Recreation Program in 1991 and went to work immediately for Goreski’s. He now lives in Bowmanville, a half-hour commute away from the marina. It almost sounds like a broken record, but when asked what he likes most about his choice of jobs he has the same comment as many others, “No two days are alike and every day brings new challenges. There is no boredom in this line of work!”

Hometown – Elliott Lake, ON 
Year of Graduation: 1995 
Current Job Description: Operations Manager, Land “N” Sea, a Division of Brunswick Corporation, Mississauga ON.

Tom advanced from customer service and counter sales to his current position over a 13-year period. Even though his current employer is a multi-national company, he still enjoys working with the dealer network people he has grown to know well, and is amazed by the challenge of keeping abreast of the constantly evolving technological changes in the products offered to customers. “We sell electronic engine controls, systems and integrated navigation components now that most of us never dreamed about five years ago,” he reflects.

Hometown - Woodstock, Ontario 
Year of Graduation - 1995 
Current Job Description: General Manager, Double R Performance Inc. Oro, ON.

Darryl worked in two Orillia marinas before setting out on his own rigging Baja high performance boats. In 2002, he joined Double R Performance, a selling and servicing dealer for high performance boats such as Skater, Nortech and Velocity. As general manager, he is a Mercury Master Technician, has achieved Mercury Racing Team Accreditation and recently became a certified marine surveyor. Double R services many of Ontario’s Poker Run fleet for very particular owners. Darryl and his family have settled in Orillia and in his spare time he is a volunteer firefighter.

Hometown – Toronto 
Year of Graduation: 1995 
Current Job Description: Chief, Real Property – Canadian Coast
Guard/Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, ON.

Bill’s career in the marine industry began with a co-op work term with Canadian Coast Guard Small Vessel Partnership in Vancouver, B.C.  After graduation a full-time position with Coast Guard seemed a natural fit and he began working with the boating industry and public to develop new boating safety regulations including operator competency, vessel licensing and mandatory safety equipment. He moved to Ottawa National Headquarters to bring those
regulations into law. Bill was then transferred to the Central and Arctic Regional office in Sarnia as a Boating Safety Officer promoting new regulations and boating safety.

He is now responsible for all marine assets (CCG Bases, Search & Rescue Stations, Marine Radio and Light Stations, Fish Laboratories, Experimental Lakes Area and Offices in the Central and Arctic Region). It’s been a very rewarding experience for Bill with many career advancements.