Passing on the legacy at W.A. Robinson and Associates

Aug 28, 2014

At a special ribbon cutting ceremony outside of the recently renovated W.A. Robinson and Associates building in Sharbot Lake, guests witnessed the official handing over of a 31-year-old family legacy to a younger member of the Robinson clan.

The ceremony took place on August 21 last week, when Wayne Robinson, who has been head of W.A Robinson and Associates for over three decades, officially handed over the torch to his son Matthew Robinson, the business’s new CEO.

The ribbon cutting was aided by Central Frontenac Mayor Janet Gutowski, who spoke about how the family businesses, under Wayne's initiative and leadership, have had so much success and contributed so much to the local community.

Long-time friend and colleague, Colleen Allison, spoke about Wayne’s legacy and history.

Wayne is a graduate of Sharbot Lake High School and Queens University, and has had an extensive and diverse working career. Allison cited Wayne’s tendency to move on after every success to new endeavors. He was the first director of North Frontenac Community Services. Then in 1979 he formed a construction company and also worked as a plumber. His focus soon turned to propane and he established the company ICG Oconto Propane, which would eventually grow to sell 10 million gallons of propane to over 600 domestic clients and over 30 gas stations in eastern Ontario before being sold to Superior Propane. In February of 1983, Wayne, his wife Alison and Marcel Giroux, established a group self-directed RRSP where clients could invest in mortgages. The business immediately attracted interested investors looking to improve their investment returns, and in 1986 Wayne purchased the Simonett building, which now houses the many financial businesses that he developed and built up over the years. Over time, the businesses have grown from an initial $100,000 in investments to currently now over $140 million world-wide.

Colleen Allison described Wayne as a “visionary and a problem solver” and as the “heart and soul of the corporation. She finished by wishing Wayne the best in his retirement.

Wayne was then presented with a legacy plaque by Dawn Reiser and he thanked his family, friends and colleagues for giving him the opportunity not only to make a living in the community, but also to provide employment to many of its members and to support the local community in so many ways.

Next, Bill Calvert, chair of the board of the Frontenac Mortgage Investment Corporation, introduced Matthew Robinson, the company's new CEO. Matthew is a Queen's University science graduate, an accredited real estate and mortgage broker, a chartered investment manager and portfolio manager. He has been the executive vice president at the company, and over the last three years has played a lead role in the multi-year succession and transformation plan at W.A Robinson Asset Management Ltd. Under Matthew’s direction staff teams at the company were strategically restructured and expanded; treasury management systems and regulatory requirements were refined and enhanced; and the lending policies, principles and procedures were also studied, advanced and refined. After being presented with an “Our Team” plaque that will be displayed in the building’s board room, the new CEO spoke briefly, citing his excitement over his new role. He said he believes he “won the lottery” on the day he was born. He spoke of the pride he takes in living and working in this special community and thanked his parents and the dedicated staff at the company. He said he was honored to be heading up the business and promised to “do his best to continue to build and grow the company.”

Following the speeches guests were invited to enjoy refreshments and tours of the building.