Multiple community projects have proved rewarding for dealer and entrepreneur Jamie Massie
Jamie Massie
Jamie Massie, was born in Toronto but has spent much of his life in and around Barrie, Ont. When the Massie family purchased what was then Georgian Pontiac Buick GMC in 1981, the city of Barrie had a population of around 27,000 people. Today, more than 30 years on, it’s grown to more than 140,000 and Georgian has grown with it. The dealership, now known as Georgian Chevrolet Buick GMC Inc., is now one of the largest in Ontario and in Canada.
Today, Massie’s business interests include not only automotive (besides the Chevrolet store he is president of the Georgian Truck Centre Ltd and Georgian BMW Ltd and MINI Georgian Ltd in Barrie) but also aviation and real estate. His aviation firm, Georgian Aircraft Corp, is best known for operating regional services under the Air Canada Express umbrella. Georgian has a fleet of 20 aircraft which carry more than 350,000 passengers a year through airports in Barrie, Toronto, Calgary and Halifax. Meanwhile, his real estate firms, under the Georgian International Land Corporation label are involved in many building and development projects across Central Ontario, including both Barrie and Collingwood.
However, in addition to success in business, Massie has also been a long time philanthropist in the local community, spearheading multiple projects that have helped enrich the lives of local citizens. “They have given us a lot of support over the years,” he says, “so it’s only natural that we’re able to give back.”
Base Borden Run
SUPPORTING EDUCATION
Massie, who graduated from Northwood University (Midland, Mich.) in 1980, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Canadian Automotive Institute (now Automotive Business School of Canada) at Georgian College. Today, the Automotive Business School of Canada has become the premier destination for students looking to develop solid careers in the automotive industry. It has forged strong partnerships with OEMs, dealers and industry focused organizations to ensure that students who graduate are equipped with some of the best skills possible to forge successful careers in the auto industry.
Massie has been a key supporter of the school since 1985 and has also set up the JC Massie Bursary (in honour of his father) to support the school as well as Operation Hero, a campaign that funds scholarships at Georgian College for members of military families. “We have four students a year and have raised over 800,000 (since 2010) for the scholarship fund.” He says that witnessing firsthand what the men and women who serve in the military do for this country was the catalyst for Operation Hero.
Massie is also actively involved with programs at the nearby Canadian Forces Base (Borden), including establishing a base marathon, of which the scholarship fund at Georgian is the beneficiary. In 2009 he was named an Honourary Colonel for bridging and strengthening relationships between the base, the community and Georgian College.
Operation Hero Scholarship
ROLE MODELS
A big part of Massie’s life has been the local Ontario Hockey League team, the Barrie Colts (which he owned from 1991 to 2007). Massie was instrumental in not only getting the team into the OHL but helping it become one of the most successful in the league. Additionally, under Georgian’s stewardship, initiatives resulted that have not only given young kids a chance to play hockey and gain recognition but also to become ambassadors for their community. “I received a Community Citation Award from the Ontario Provincial Police,” says Massie “and out of that grew Cops and Colts. We paired each member of the team with a police officer. We went to 144 schools across [Simcoe County] and talked to kids about issues such as peer pressure, drugs and alcohol. In many ways, the Colts are bigger role models for these kids than NHL players, because they live in and are part of this community.”
Besides investing in the team, Massie also spearheaded development of a top notch venue for them to play at, a facility that would not only serve as an arena but also a focal point for the community — the Barrie Molson Centre, which opened in 1995. “In the 19th century, Barrie had the downtown farmer’s market that was the hub for this community. Today it’s the Barrie Molson Centre. It makes me very proud when 4,000 people are packed in the Centre on a cold February night to watch a game.” Massie says that not only is the BMC a great venue for the community to come together but that also, from a family perspective it represents a lasting legacy.
Other community initiatives in which Massie and the Georgian group of companies have been involved with include the Circle at the Centre skating rink in front of Barrie City Hall each winter, providing support for the MacLaren Art Centre and Royal Victoria Hospital, the Barrie Public Library, as well as Habitat for Humanity and the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority. Following the events of September 11, 2001, Massie also chartered Georgian’s own aircraft to send firefighters and police officers down to New York to support recovery efforts.
Despite being recognized for his achievements (he has received multiple awards, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee last year), when it comes to community projects, Massie remains modest. He says that when it comes down to it, philanthropy is about being under the radar. “It can be a hard thing to define,” he says “but it’s about giving your time, your mind and your energy to make where we live a better place.” He also says that dealers, as promoters for the community, can really make an impact on the lives of those around them; his own efforts are living proof of that. “I think there is that spirit [to give back] in a lot of us.”
