About Me
In 1969, my parents purchased a water access only cottage on Black Lake, located off Highway 35 between Norland and Minden ON near Moore Falls. We spent most weekends and all of our summers there, spending countless hours fishing, boating, snowmobiling and exploring the “back lakes” that had no cottages on them. This area of crown land is now included in Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park. It was an outstanding way to grow up.
My first job was at the age of 13 working as a store clerk and gas bar attendant at Pilon’s Bonaventure. This business ultimately became Moore Lake Marine at Moore Falls ON. I worked there on weekends and during the summer until I was 18. During that time I met Debbie who I ultimately married. She too worked at the store as a cashier. It was 1976 and we have been together ever since, and in fact, we just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary in May of 2017.
In 1979, I graduated Grade 13 at Richmond Hill High School and was subsequently accepted in the business program at the University of Ottawa. Throughout my time at university, I worked part time during the school year and full time in the summer for Direct Transportation and Smith Transport. Both were leading, less than truckload Motor Carriers at the time. I worked on the dock loading and unloading trucks as well as driving tractor trailers. To date I have maintained my Class AZ driver’s license. I graduated from the University of Ottawa with a business degree in the spring of 1982. Shortly afterwards Debbie and I were married after she informed me that we had gone together over six years and that she wanted to be my wife not my sister!
Life was busy and we no longer had much time for the cottage so my parents ultimately decided to sell it in the early 1980’s, but it was something I always missed and knew at some point would do something about.
After graduation I began working full time in the Motor Carrier business. Initially, with Red Star Express Lines as a dock supervisor and then a sales person. In late 1983, I was recruited by Roadway Express, a very large, US based less than truckload Motor Carrier, as a Management Trainee. I worked with Roadway until 1995. I was continually promoted into more and more senior roles until I was running our largest Canadian terminal in Toronto ON. During those years I was also very much involved in opening Roadway’s operations in Canada.
In 1983 Debbie and I purchased our first home in Brampton ON, where our oldest daughter Jennifer was born in 1985. When we needed a larger home we moved to Oakville ON in 1987. Our second daughter Sarah was born in 1989. It took me four years to convince Debbie that we should have a second child and was one of the biggest sales jobs of my life!
In 1995 Midland Transport of Moncton NB, an Irving Family owned company, recruited me as their Director of Terminals. We relocated to Moncton and lived there for two years. In 1997, Brink’s Canada, the armoured car carrier, recruited me as General Manager for the Toronto Region and we decided, as a family, to move back to Oakville ON where we have lived since. With Brink’s I was promoted to Vice President, Ontario and Manitoba and was responsible for all of Brink’s activities in those two provinces.
In September 2002, after 20 years working for large corporations, I decided to join Debbie at Bredet Services Inc., a technology firm, providing small and medium sized businesses with the implementation and support of business management software solutions. Debbie started this business in 1983 and for the last 10 years we have worked together to continue to build it to what it is today. In 2009, we purchased and moved our operations into our own office condominium units occupying over 4000 square feet in east Oakville ON.
In March of 2007, we were made aware of a year round cottage property for sale at 399 Antelope Trail, Chandos Lake Estates, North Kawartha ON. We bought the property and took possession in June of 2007. It only took me 25 years to convince Debbie that we should have a cottage! Debbie now thoroughly enjoys our place and she often says “we should have bought a cottage when the kids were younger.”
Over the years, I have been involved in many Real Estate transactions involving a number of commercial as well as residential properties. In addition, I have managed a number of extensive building and renovation projects, and have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from these experiences.
In 2012, after a successful 30 year business career, I decided to begin and complete the requirements for my Ontario Real Estate License. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to join RE/MAX Country Classics Ltd., Brokerage in Apsley ON as a full time Real Estate Professional.
October 1, 2017 will mark my fifth anniversary with RE/MAX Country Classics Ltd., Brokerage in Apsley ON. I have enjoyed these five years immensely and thanks to my client’s faith in me I have had tremendous success. In 2013 and 2014 I was presented with the RE/MAX 100% Club Award. In 2015 and 2016 I achieved the RE/MAX Platinum Club Award. I was also recognized as the top producing Realtor in our Brokerage both of the last two years with not only the Highest Total Commission, but also the Highest Single Commission. So far in 2017 I have achieved the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award. I am thrilled to continue to provide full time, year-round, professional Real Estate services to Apsley and the surrounding area.
As your neighbour, I am happy to assist you in any way that I can. Whether you are buying, selling or referring friends and family who may be looking for assistance in a cottage purchase/sale or just have a question. If there is anything at all that I can do to assist you or anyone you know, please feel free to reach out to me at anytime. I welcome hearing from you and would be happy to help. Feel free to stop by the office, give me a call, or drop me an email at clark@northkawarthacottages.com.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to chatting with you further.