Orillia native Michael McMullen was recently awarded the coveted Emeritus Leaders Circle Award by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Dubbed a ‘Manitoba business leader’ in a press release announcing the award, McMullen traces the roots of his success — as a business person and philanthropist — to growing up in Orillia.
“The majority of the credit for anything I have achieved goes to the strong work ethic and character lessons instilled by my mother,” said McMullen of his mom, Jean, who passed away in 2011.
Growing up in a single-parent family presented many challenges but, ultimately, helped shape him.
“Being from a single-parent family, the kindness extended to me from the Y's men’s organization and men like Jack Hurl, Murray Gormley, Martin Cuiper, the McIsaac family and many others meant the world to me,” McMullen recalled.
The local hockey community was also instrumental in his formative years and became an extended family of sorts.
He recalls great memories from being a “proud member” of the 1969-70 Byers Bulldozer midget team that won a national title in Dauphin, Man.
A few years later, he was part of the only hockey team in the history of Park Street Collegiate Institute to win a Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA) championship.
He points to Park Street hockey coach/teacher Brian Pounder as a person who had a major influence on him when he was a teenager.
“Mr. Pounder's principles in guiding our GBSSA-winning hockey team were invaluable learnings for leadership and team building throughout my life and career,” McMullen said.
McMullen said other teachers and coaches also made a big impact on him, referencing Art Insley, Bill Cartmill and Wib French.
While McMullen shone on the ice, he was also strong academically.
The graduate of Mount Slaven Public School is the only two-time student council president in Park Street’s history, was elected valedictorian by his graduating class and was the first recipient of the Arthur B. Laing Leadership Award.
In addition to working hard in school and playing hard on the ice, McMullen always worked and says his three summers at Webers — the iconic burger joint on Highway 11 — provided invaluable insight into the world of commerce.
“I credit Paul Weber with many of my lifelong approaches and business philosophy throughout my international business career,” said McMullen.
During that career, he served as chief operating officer (COO) and executive vice-president of Ashley Global Retail Corp., executive VP with The North West Company, as well as CEO and president of Warehouse One.
Today, the Ivey Business School and Western University graduate owns and runs MCM Consulting, a management consulting firm based in La Salle, Man.
For several years, he has also been a key leader for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Currently, he is a governor of the national organization and served as its chair from 2014 to 2015.
While his business and chamber responsibilities keep him busy, he has never forgotten the kindness shown to him as a kid growing up in Orillia.
“I believe this kindness plus other influences in my adult life have led me to give back my time to various causes," he said.
McMullen sits on five volunteer boards that cover the gamut from Diabetes Canada, #SickNotWeak Mental Health Foundation, founded by TSN sports personality Michael Landsberg, to the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund.
He has also always loved to read and write.
“A lifelong love of books and writing was instilled by Park Street teacher Bill Harvey during double classes of Grade 13 English,” said McMullen.
So, it should come as no surprise that McMullen is about to become a published author. He has penned a book, titled Scarred. It’s about a mother and son who “ascend through a decade of abandonment and abuse by making do, getting by and hoping for small mercies.”
No doubt, it will carry echoes from growing up in Orillia with his mom.
He will launch his book in Winnipeg and, just days later, will be at Manticore Books in downtown Orillia on Dec. 8, from 3 to 5 p.m., to unveil his work in his hometown.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends,” said McMullen.
