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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Jason McLeanPresident and COO, McLean Group of CompaniesAge: 36 When you’re a young lawyer who spends free time climbing mountains and downhill skiing, it may seem like the world is your oyster. For Jason McLean, it truly was the case because it marked the beginning of an adventurous life that saw him join the world of international diplomacy as an “advance man” for former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien. From 2000 to 2002, he travelled the world making sure everything from logistics to event programs were in place for the “the little guy from Shawinigan.” “It was like a really good management training experience. It felt like five years of experience condensed into a lot of travelling,” said McLean, who often found himself dealing with ambassadors who were decades his senior. “I saw the world, learned a lot about myself and, frankly, got a lot of the wanderlust out of my system.” His next challenge had its own learning curve. “Family businesses are peculiar animals and they are not for everybody,” said McLean, who is president and COO of the McLean Group of Companies. “We have worked hard at defining our roles and at understanding the line between family and business and between management and directors.” A “tricky buyout situation” saw Jason lay out a different course of action than his father, David McLean, the company founder and chair – a decision that saw the family ultimately decide to follow Jason’s lead. “It was the first time that dad didn’t lead the charge. It was right after that that [brother] Sacha and I became presidents. I think it was a bit of a coming-of-age moment for us in the business,” he said. Besides being a member of the Vancouver Police Board, McLean, currently senior vice-chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade, will become the youngest chair in board history in June 2010. It’s a role that McLean was asked to consider by noted B.C. businessman and philanthropist Don Rix, who passed away in 2009. “It was quite a moment for me. He is such a mentor, but also a really larger-than-life figure,” said McLean. “He was an incredible business leader, but gave so much to education and his community. For him to tap me, it was very motivating.” • Birthplace: Vancouver Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: LLB from the University of British Columbia and owner/president management program, Harvard Business School (March 2010) Car or chosen mode of transport: A-Star helicopter (preferably while wearing ski boots) and occasionally a 1973 Jaguar E-TYPE 2+2 V12 Currently reading: American Gods by Neil Gaiman Last CD bought or music downloaded: Horehound by the Dead Weather Favourite movie: Heat and Yellow Submarine Favourite local restaurant: Il Giardino Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Winston Churchill Profession you would most like to try: Pilot Mentor: David McLean (father) and Chelsey my chocolate lab Most memorable career milestone or event: Telling Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien over escargot in Manhattan that it was time for me to retire from public life and join the family business. Him telling me: “I never reject a resignation,” and then taking me to meet Bill Clinton in Harlem. Clinton was almost an hour late and we just hung out on the streets of Harlem; me and the boss and a lot of secret service Toughest business or professional decision: Deciding to buy out the outside partners of one of our largest businesses while starved for cash What’s left to do: Raise a family, not just a good dog This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
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