Longtime restaurateur, philanthropist honoured by Newmarket chamber

McDonald's franchisee Peter Miller was among the individuals and organizations recognized at the annual Business Excellence Awards

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1 / 1 The inaugural Chairperson's Award was given to longtime McDonald's Restaurants franchisee Peter Miller. Greg King for NewmarketToday

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Not only is Peter Miller a longtime successful businessman as the owner and operator of McDonald's franchises across York Region, he is renowned within his community for quietly and constantly giving back.

His recognition with the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Chairperson's Award of Merit at the Business Excellence Awards last night was met with a standing ovation from the audience of business and community leaders at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre. The Chairperson's Award recognizes a long-term business leader who has made a substantial impact in Newmarket.

The "sales savvy" 29-year-old who haled from Nova Scotia was awarded with his first McDonald's franchise in Richmond Hill in the mid-'70s, half a century ago, and today he operates 17 franchises, including the first-ever location in Newmarket 47 years ago.

Miller was involved with Ronald McDonald House in Toronto since its inception more than 40 years ago. And while he said giving back is part of McDonald's DNA, it's in his, too. He grew up in a family with strong philanthropic values and was taught from a young age to help others.

"You work hard with your business, you take care of your people and you give back to the community," he said with humility, referring to himself as a small business person who is "a very shy person."

"I remember giving and not having a lot to give," he added with a chuckle. "But it was part of our culture, this is what we did."

He has inspired and mentored thousands of employees over the decades, and has supported hundreds of community causes and sports teams — not to mention too many McHappy Days to count.

Also being acknowledged for community impact is Juliane McTavish Goyette, who received the Community Recognition Award.

"I love Newmarket," she said. "Newmarket is amazing and has so much heart compared to other communities."

"I just feel like giving back to it, to make it that much better, it's so important and hopefully inspires others to do the same," she added, acknowledging the role her parents also played in inspiring her to relentlessly give back.

The Community Recognition Award goes to an individual "who makes a positive contribution to Newmarket, someone who is consistently lifting others up, who always has a kind word for everyone, a volunteer who goes above and beyond, whose positivity continually inspires others."

The charity closest to her heart is the Newmarket Food Pantry and community fridge, where she serves on the board and as treasurer, but she also gives back "endlessly" by sponsoring and donating to multiple charities and good causes — including her own sock drive, earning her the moniker of Newmarket's Sock Lady.

Giancarlo Trimarchi, president of Vince's Market, was recognized as the Business Leader of the Year, an award for the individual who demonstrates leadership in a variety of ways, is seen by their peers as driving progress and growth, and is recognized for outstanding achievement in company growth and development, marketing, community service and corporate values.

While not present at the awards event — he was attending a leadership retreat for young presidents — he shared advice that "you have to find your way to be a leader, and once you do it, you embrace it, I think it makes your own life easier and inspires those around you to work for you and with you."

The second-generation business owner and leader followed his own path before returning to Vince's to shepherd the growth of the independent grocery chain, which now employs 220 people in multiple locations, and sponsors and financially supports local charities with annual giving back programs.

Here are the finalist nominees, and the winners in bold type, of the 2023 Business Excellence Awards: