JA Northern and Eastern Ontario Business Hall of Fame Celebrates 2025 Kawartha Lakes Inductees

JA Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) celebrated its five local business owners at its third annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame & Induction Ceremony for Kawartha Lakes at Mackey Celebrations on Thursday.

Gordon A. Ferguson (top left), The Poole Family (top right), Sherry Peel (bottom right) and Tim Wisener (bottom right). The Torrey Family (not pictured). Photo courtesy of Geoff Coleman, Lindsay Advocate and JA-Neo.

“The Business Hall of Fame & Induction Ceremony will recognize the City of Kawartha Lakes exceptional business leaders who have strengthened the local economy and their community through their extraordinary accomplishments,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO President amd CEO. “I want to personally congratulate each of tonight’s honorees. They truly are exemplary individuals, widely respected for their integrity, business acumen, and community contributions, and they are inspiration to us all.”

This year’s honourees include:

• Gordon A. Ferguson - Northern Casket

• The Poole Family - Buckeye Marine

• Sherry Peel - Bigley’s Shoes and Clothing  

• Tim Wisener - The Grove Theatre

• The Torrey Family - Torrey-Dale Farms

“The JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame not only focuses on celebrating outstanding local business leaders from across our community, it also plays an essential role in helping to prepare and inspire the next generation,” explained McNutt. “All of the proceeds raised from tonight’s event will help JA meet the growing demand for our financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship educational programs for students.”

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JA-NEO Unveils Class of 2025 Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s exceptional business leaders into the class of 2025 10th Annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.

Toni and Kelli Grady; Donnell Leahy, Natalie McMaster and Julia Leahy and Margo and Paul Hudson were absent from the event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The nominees are being inducted at an event at The Venue on May 29. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the 10th annual class of inductees to join our ever-growing Business Hall of Fame as we mark our 10th induction ceremony this May,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. “As we celebrate 10 years of our Business Hall of Fame, we are thrilled to welcome our biggest class yet who are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting their own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honored today.”

The 2025 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees for Peterborough are:

• Darrell Junkin, Craftworks at the Barn

• Toni and Kelli Grady, Grady Feet Essentials

• Grant Seabrooke, Machine Dynamics Ltd.

• Matt Holmes and Michael Riseley, Holmes Riseley LLP

• Donnell Leahy, Natalie McMaster and Julia Leahy, Natalie Donnell Entertainment

• Margo and Paul Hudson, Jo Anne’s Place Health Foods

• Nancy Wiskel, Dan Joyce Clothing

• Martin and Kelly Carbajal, La Mesita Restaurante

• Drew Merrett, Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre

• Diane Richard, Diatom Consulting

• Raj Patel, Ennismore Foodland

• Peter, Rita, Michael, Eric and Graeme Eatson, Peterborough Volkswagen

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JA-NEO Announces Kawartha Lakes 2025 Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has named its inductees for the Kawartha Lakers 2025 JA Business Hall of Fame at Launch Kawartha/Invest Kawartha.

Photo courtesy of Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce.

The inductees strengthen our economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime a,ccording to John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the 3rd annual class of inductees to join our ever-growing Business Hall of Fame for the City of Kawartha Lakes,” he said. “These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honored today.”

The inductees will be formally inducted at the third Annual JA Business Hall of Fame for the City of Kawartha Lakes on May 8 at Mackey Celebrations in downtown Lindsay.

The 2025 JA Business Hall of Fame inductees are as follows:

• Carly, Debbie and Jay Poole – Buckeye Marine

• Tim Wisener – The Grove Theatre

• Gord Ferguson – Northern Casket

• The Torrey Family – Torrey Family Farm

• Sherry Peel – Bigley Shoes and Clothing

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JA-NEO Unveil Kawartha Lakes Class of 2024 Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s Kawartha Lakes exceptional business leaders into the class of 2024 second-annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Launch Kawartha in Lindsay on Wednesday morning.

Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.

The nominees are being inducted at an event at Mackey Celebrations in Lindsay on May 9. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to unveil the distinguished class of inductees for the second consecutive year,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. These outstanding business leaders exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, demonstrating to local youth that building a successful business is both attainable and rewarding, with the potential to span generations.”

2024 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees:

• Brad Bird: Birdhouse Realty

• John Fox: Boston Pizza Lindsay

• Kyle Hussey: Waste Logix Inc

• Linden Mackey: Mackey Funeral Home Inc. and Mackey Celebrations

• Marlene Morrison Nicholls: Stewart Morrison Insurance

• Anthony and Carlo Polito: Polito Ford Lincoln & Kawartha Lakes Honda

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JA-NEO Unveils Class of 2024 Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s exceptional business leaders into the class of 2024 Ninth Annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The nominees are being inducted at an event at The Venue on May 23. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to unveil the distinguished class of inductees for the ninth consecutive year,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. These outstanding business leaders exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, demonstrating to local youth that building a successful business is both attainable and rewarding, with the potential to span generations.”

The 2024 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees for Peterborough are:

• Tim Barrie: Merrit Precision Limited

• John Cunningham: Community Alternative, Ashburnham Funeral Home, Kawartha Aquamtion

• Gwyneth James: Formerly Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants, Silverthorn Management Consulting

• Richard Labelle: The UK Shoppe

• Jill and Robert Staples: Staples Maple Syrup

• Jeanine Taylor: KawarthaNOW

• Nicole Truman: Fox Law Professional Corporation

• Cora Whittington: Golden Pathways Coaching, Facilitation, Retreat, and B & B.

• Andrew Winslow, Chris Winslow, Mike Winslow, Steve Gerolamy and Tom Gerolamy: Winslow Gerolamy Motors Limited

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Nominations Open For JA-Neo 2024 Business Hall of Fame

Nominations for JA - Northern and Eastern Ontario’s (JA-NEO) 2024 Business Hall of Fame (BHF) are open for both Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes, announced on Wednesday.

The 2023 inductees of Ja-Neo’s Business Hall of Fame. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

JA-NNEO is looking for individuals who have had a significant impact on the community's economic growth through their entrepreneurial pursuits. JA-NEO continues to mention that nominees should be esteemed members of the community whose leadership, vision and dedication to excellence have bolstered the economy and society.

“The BHF event allows JA-NEO to recruit vital volunteers, investors, and partners to help deliver programs at no cost to students or schools,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO President and C.E.O. “Proceeds from the event help JA-NEO meet the growing demand for financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs, providing essential support to facilitate the future success of every JA-NEO student.”

Nominations close on Nov. 24 at 3:00 p.m. Nomination forms can be found online. Successful nominees will be announced at a formal announcement in the new year and will be officially inducted into the JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame in the Spring.

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Junior Achievement Unveils City of Kawartha Lakes Inaugural Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) unveiled its inaugural JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) inductees for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

The inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to JA-NEO.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the inaugural class of inductees to first ever JA Business Hall of Fare for the City of Kawartha Lakes," said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. "These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honored today.”

The inductees will be formally inducted at the inaugural JA. Business Hall of Fame May 11 at Mackey Celebrations in downtown Lindsay.

Tania-Joy Bartlett. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jim Bogar. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jack and Ila Crowe. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Nicki and Dedes Costas. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Liz Grimes. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Ted Smith. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jeff Strybosch. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jason and Karissa Ward. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:

• Tania-Joy Bartlett - Nev Beginnings Contracting Services

• Jim Bogar (Posthumously) - Cameron Steel

• Jack and Ila Crowe (Posthumously) Kawartha Dairy

• Nicki and Dedes Costas - Olympia Restaurant

• Liz Grimes - Cathy Allan Ladieswear

• Ted Smith - TS Manufacturing

• Jeff Strybosch - Kawartha Wholesale Bakery

• Jason and Karissa Ward - Ward Lawyers Professional Corporation

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Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario Announces 2023 Business Hall of Fame Nominees

The Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) announced the JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) nominees at the Venture North Building on Wednesday.

All nominees and BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran shortly after each nomination was announced. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The hall of fame recognizes Peterborough’s exceptional business leaders. These inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to a press release.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the 8th annual class of inductees to join our ever-growing Business Hall of Fame,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honoured today.”

The inductees were announced by BHF Chancellor Sanjeev Sukumaran of The Ear Company.

The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:

• Allan and Gerald Bolton – Formerly Trentway Bus Lines

• Peter, Anne and Greg Elmhirst – Elmhirst’s Resort

• Bill Lett and Michael Gallant – Lett Architects Inc.

• Craig Mortlock – Mortlock Construction

• Neil Morton – Co-founder CORMOR & Co. and ECFC, formerly Studio PTBO

• Effy Peel – Jim’s Pizzeria & Pasta

• Peter Robinson – Formerly Weed Man Lawn Care

• Jaime Stringer – Formerly FCI Windows

• Scott Murison, Kieran Andrews, and Jonathan Moreno – Wild Rock Outfitters

The inductees are formally inducted at the 8th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame, set for May 25 at The Venue.

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Nominations Open For the 2023 Business Hall of Fame JA-NEO Awards

Nominations are now open for the annual Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern (JA-NEO) 2023 Business Hall of Fame (BHF) in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Photo courtesy of JA Northern and Eastern Ontario.

The community is invited to submit nominations for the Business Hall of Fame, helping to recognize the City of Kawartha Lakes’ business leaders who have strengthened the economy and community through their business.

JA-NEO has recently expanded outside of Peterborough and into the City of Kawartha Lakes.

After the nominations come in, candidates are submitted to Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario, and then presented to an independent selection committee.

“JA-NEO is looking to honour individuals who, through their careers, have made a positive and everlasting impact on the community and the local business landscape,” said John McNutt, president and CEO of JA-NEO. “By recognizing and celebrating those who make an impact today, we are helping to inspire youth who will be our community’s leaders of tomorrow. JA-NEO is excited to expand our Business Hall of Fame outside of Peterborough and what better place than the City of Kawartha Lakes.”

The nominations window closes on Nov. 26 at 3 p.m.

Successful nominees will be announced in January 2023, and will be officially inducted into the JA BHF on May 25, 2023.

Nomination forms can be found online at https://ja-neo.org/kawartha-lakes-ja-business-hall-of-fame/.

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