rev-digital-FINAL-PRESS-2023-PAGES-AHCC-QUARTER-BLEED - Flipbook - Page 64
ALMAGUIN HIGHLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
/Deeply rooted/...
BY
A
Luke Preston
deeply fixed or firmly established.
To have been developed from something and be strongly influenced by it.
Your childhood and where you have the privilege of growing up shapes you as a person.
nd they say it takes a village to raise a child. This very popular
saying conveys the message that it takes many people to provide a
safe, healthy environment where people feel secure and can develop
and flourish. I am very proud to say that I was born and raised in
this area and am deeply rooted in the Almaguin Highlands. I have a
connection to this area that spans much farther than just at a surface
level.
I am a small-town guy. Born and raised here and have spent
most of my life in the Almaguin Highlands. Like many of my friends
who have made the choice to live and establish themselves in this
beautiful area, we may have left to pursue post-secondary education
or left for an employment opportunity to more urban city centres
looking to expand our horizons and spread our wings. However, it is
most interesting to me to make the observation that the grass is not
necessarily greener on the other side as many people think in terms
of the city life. Sure, the city has the bright lights, the fast pace and
lots of convenient amenities, however, I think as you get older, that
bright and shiny appeal wears off, and we long for quiet, serenity and
“ I am very proud to say that I was born
and raised in this area and am deeply
rooted in the Almaguin Highlands.”
a more peaceful and tranquil life.
For me, I left the area to pursue post secondary education at
McMaster University. I obtained my business degree and decided to
I am proud to say that I was instrumental in the establishment of
remain and work in Southern Ontario. I worked at a few financial
the chamber and spent many years as a director and prior to my
jobs once I obtained my degree, and these were great jobs, however,
departure on the board as vice president. From my family business I
I never felt like I was settled. I longed for a sense of fulfillment that
moved on to work in the public sector, and I have to say, this is where
was missing in my life when I was living in the south. So, I decided
I found my kryptonite in terms of my professional career path. I am
to make the move back up North.
My family has had a heavy
a people person; I thrive on connecting with and helping people as
equipment dealership for many decades now and they were looking
much as I can. I truly believe that we are blessed to be living in this
to bring in someone who could help them make some key changes
area and also believe that kindness, empathy and care for others is
and bring a fresh new approach to the business, so I began working
so important. My childhood and being raised in small town rural
for G.F. Preston’s in the summer of 2008. Over the 12 years that
northern Ontario has had a strong influence on who I am and my
I spent with the business, I was involved in the transformation and
passion for the long-term success of the area is rooted deeply in the
organizing of the company to further the success and expansion of
dedication that I put forth in my involvement in my community. My
the organization. And for me, it didn’t just stop at the business – to be
wife, originally from Quebec, but living in Toronto made the move up
successful in business, the area and the local economy needs to be
north and has never looked back. We are here to stay, to continue to
successful. At that time, there were different economic development
be a part of this community, encourage young couples and families
groups but no official chamber or structure of such. So, a group of
to plant roots here – there is lots to do here, lots of great people and
concerned and invested residents of the area began conversations to
a thriving and vibrant economy.
start an official chamber in 2014.
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