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Evan Ortynsky Business Leader of the Year recipient

Last Wednesday the Yorkton Chamber announced the recipients of the awards that were presented at its 14 th Celebrate Success Business Awards event.
Evan

Last Wednesday the Yorkton Chamber announced the recipients of the awards that were presented at its 14th Celebrate Success Business Awards event.

Thirty seven businesses were finalists in nine business categories; and six organizations were finalists in the ‘community merit’ category. 

The Business Leader of the Year recipient; Evan Ortynsky was also selected by the judging panel from a slate of candidates put forth by a panel of former Chamber presidents.

Ortynsky admitted that upon first hearing he was the recipient he wondered why he had been chosen citing “there are so many other good people, why me? There are so many successful business people you wonder why.”

And, then there is the second reaction, one of acceptance where Ortynsky said he was simply “so honoured to be chosen.”

Making the award more meaningful for Ortynsky is the organization behind it.

“I’ve always worn the Chamber of Commerce on my sleeve,” he said. “To me it’s just a very, very special organization. That makes this more important as I see it.”

Ortynsky is owner and president of Key Auto Group.  

Ortynsky purchased his first dealership, Key Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac in 1990. The dealership is now known as Key Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC. 

In the last 15 years, the dealership group has seen major expansions with the opening of Autohire Rent-a-Car; establishing Yorkton Toyota (2006); purchase and opening of a state-of-the art Key Paint and Collision Center (2011); purchase and renovation of Swan River’s Key Chevrolet (2014); purchase of Yorkton KIA (2015); opening of Cap-It Truck Accessories (2016); and a new auto detailingcentrein 2016.  

Ortynsky has been involved in numerous national and regional auto dealer councils including General Motors Dealers Fixed Operations Board; Toyota Canada Dealer Communication Team; and Regional Dealers Marketing Committee.  Additionally, Evan has been nominated to the Canadian Automotive Dealers Association Laureate Ambassadorship which twice recognized individual dealer contributions to their community.  He is proud that Key Chevrolet has won the National General Motors President`s Club Award four times with Swan River`s Key Chevrolet winning it in their second year.  Yorkton Toyota has won the President`s Pride Award three times. 

Outside of work, Ortynsky has served on boards and councils including the Yorkton and Saskatchewan Chambers of Commerce; Regional Health Foundation Board; Access Communications; Parkland College Capital Campaign; and the city’s Economic Development committee, notes the Chamber citation.

The Large Business of the Year award was presented to Yorkton Hyundai while Modern Mattress was the recipient of the Small Business of the Year award. (See related stories this issue).

The Small and Large Businesses of the Year recipients were selected by the independent judging panel from all the completed application packages. 

Other award recipients were:

Award of Excellence: - Painted Hand Casino, Parrish & Heimbecker, Yorkton Tribal Council

Business Growth & Expansion – RH Electric

Community Involvement – CORE Real Estate

Customer Service – Bailliee Boys Towing

Marketing – Yorkton Business Improvement District (YBID)

New Business Venture – Credence Construction

Property Restoration – Yorkton Dental

Safety – Fedorowich Construction

Young Entrepreneur – Jessica Richards, The Scrub Hub Boutique

The Community Merit Award was presented to Big Brothers Big Sisters Yorkton; Royal Canadian Legion Branch #77; Parkland Search & Rescue.

The Peoples’ Choice Award, selected from all the finalists by the community, was awarded to Cross Fit Function.

The Celebrate Success Business Awards are held every two years and are designed to recognize businesses for their achievements and contributions to the community.

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce is “the voice of business in Yorkton” and represents over 455 members.