Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group named finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of the Year Awards 2018 Pacific program
July 9, 2018 (Vancouver, B.C.) – The finalists in Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of the Year Awards 2018 Pacific program have been announced and Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group, has been named amongst the prestigious list of B.C.’s entrepreneurial trailblazers. As the leader of the region’s largest automotive retail group, Chia is being recognized for his leadership in business innovation and entrepreneurship in the Business to Consumer category.
“It is a great honour to be recognized by EY as a finalist among such an esteemed group of entrepreneurs,” said Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “At OpenRoad, we’ve worked very hard to stay ahead of competition and to offer a superior car ownership experience at every turn, so this recognition is really a tribute to the dedication of the entire OpenRoad team.”
Each year Ernst & Young recognizes entrepreneurs who drive growth and build their businesses with creativity and purpose. This year, 35 finalists across nine categories had made the list of finalists. Over the past 25 years, the program has recognized more than 3,800 finalists and presented more than 1,000 awards to inspiring Canadian entrepreneurs.
The panel of judges has selected Christian Chia as a finalist based on his demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership in the rapid growth of OpenRoad Auto Group since 2000 to become the largest auto retailer in British Columbia, one of B.C.’s forty fastest-growing private companies, and the operator of 26 retail locations: 23 dealerships, 19 brands, and three collision centres. The company plans to expand further in western Canada and Washington State. Chia now employs more than 1,200 staff and has built the company’s success by investing in strong employee and customer loyalty programs; a premium automotive brand portfolio; excellence in business intelligence; an enhanced customer experience online; and a superior overall car ownership experience.
The Pacific finalists will come together on September 25, 2018 in Vancouver, where EY will name one winner in each of the nine categories selected by the independent panel of judges. One of those category winners will be named the overall Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year and will later compete with regional winners from Atlantic, Québec, Ontario and Prairies for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Canada title. The Canadian winner will go on to compete with winners from across the globe for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year in June 2019.
For full program details, visit ey.com/ca/eoy.
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About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy
The 2018 Pacific independent judging panel consists of Charles Chang, President & Founder, Lyra Growth Partners Inc.; Debra Hewson, President & CEO, Odlum Brown; Sacha McLean, Partner, McLean Group; Ali Pejman, Partner, Fort Capital Partners; Lisa Shields, Founder & CEO, FI.SPAN Services Inc.; Bill Tam, Co-Chair, Digital Technology Supercluster; Cathy Thorpe, President & CEO; Nurse Next Door; and Marsha Walden, President & CEO, Destination British Columbia.
This year’s program national sponsors are ICI RDI, The TMX Group, The Globe and Mail Inc., Media One Creative, Merrill Corporation, Kira Talent, Air Canada and The Printing House Limited. Pacific regional sponsors are Leone, Canada Wide Media, Hunt Personnel, Rocky Mountaineer and the University of British Columbia.
About OpenRoad Auto Group
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.’s largest automotive dealership group with over 1,200 associates representing 19 quality automotive brands at 23 full-service car dealerships. Established In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group offers car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. OpenRoad is proud to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a CADA Laureate, and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards. www.openroadautogroup.com
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