Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group, has been named one of the finalists in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of the Year Awards 2018 Pacific program, according to a company news release.
The list includes names of “entrepreneurial trailblazers” in British Columbia, as the award is meant to recognize men and women “who drive growth and build their businesses with creativity and purpose.”
“It is a great honour to be recognized by EY as a finalist among such an esteemed group of entrepreneurs,” said Chia. “At OpenRoad, we’ve worked very hard to stay ahead of competition and to offer a superior car ownership experience at every turn, so this recognition is really a tribute to the dedication of the entire OpenRoad team.”
Thirty-five finalists were selected across nine categories this year. Chia is a finalist in the Business to Consumer category where he is being recognized for his leadership in business innovation and entrepreneurship. The judges selected Chia due to his role in propelling the rapid growth of OpenRoad Auto Group since 2000. It is now the largest auto retailer in B.C., according to the company, with 26 retail locations — including 23 dealerships, 19 brands, and three collision centres. The company also plans to expand their reach to Western Canada and Washington State in the U.S.
The finalists will appear together on September 25, 2018 in Vancouver, B.C., where Ernst & Young will name the winners of each of the nine categories. The winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges, and one among them will be named the overall Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year.
