On New Year's Day 1962, I moved from the west end of Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie to begin a restaurant supply distribution business based on a Coca Cola syrup franchise which grew out of a former position as a representative for Northern Ontario. The business operated on a subsistence level for 6 months and allowed me to further examine the attributes of my newly chosen home until I identified another opportunity in the form of a decrepit, closed up drive in restaurant.

There was one unusual product of this dismally constructed, seasonally uninhabitable operation. Are you familiar with Kentucky Fried Chicken? Yes, in those pioneering years the Colonel had already arrived in Sault Ste. Marie. The business was about to lose the franchise but, by acting quickly, I was able to secure the operation and begin building the business, not only at the original location, but at a total of 5 stores over 5 years. The one and only Colonel Sanders became a friend of mine and I was inspired.

Locally known as J.J.'s Chicken the original location was at the site of the current Algoma's Water Tower Inn. Additional land was purchased over the years and the Inn was built in 1974 with successive additions in later years.
During this period J.J. was always active in developing and participating in community based organizations and activities which evolved into key local institutions focusing on business and tourism development.

Cross Country Algoma became Sault Trails and Recreation Association (STAR)
Hospitality and Travel SSM (HATS) eventually evolved into the EDC.
Economic Advisory Council became mainstream EDC.
The Catscan campaign not only financed a Catscan Imager but, also an MRI.
Algoma Steel was revitalized with the coordination of The Community Action Team (CAT)
Grass Roots Economic Development Initiatives were co-chaired

In 1985, Searchmont Resort was rescued from receivership in my position as President of HATS, (Hospitality and Travel SSM) which eventually evolved into the EDC. I then became personally involved in a local investor based $12.5 million expansion of the resort during the same period as the latest expansion to Algoma's Water Tower Inn was completed in 1990.

The 90's were best described as a period of financial battles from which we emerged with the loss of Searchmont Resort and the beginnings of a new direction for the Inn. During that time, Searchmont grew to 100,000 visits annually making it the North's largest winter destination attraction.
Algoma's Water Tower Inn has created its Trailhead program, which positions the Inn as the base for exploring the Great Lakes Heritage Coast. This program is attracting tourists to explore 10 identified travel areas within the region of Algoma. This year the program has been expanded to include the Mackinaw Trail, the Huron North passage, Manitoulin Island and the Chicheemaun ferry.