Laura Fitz Service Coordinator

Laura has been with us going on her third season now in the service coordinator role.  She came to us after a 33 year career serving in various finance roles with a major telecommunications company.  Her extensive corporate background and attention to detail lends itself well to her role.  She has taken many courses from our manufacturers as well as Spader service management courses to enable her all the tools to best serve you.  Laura and her husband, Jamie, moved to Pointe au Baril about 10 years ago from a life in the city.  It was the love for nature, The Bay, and being on the water that drew them here.  When she isn’t at work, you’ll find Laura hiking with her dogs, spending time with her family and friends.  A famous Laura line that comes from living on Georgian Bay is there is no such thing as inclement weather, just poor clothing choices!

Contact Laura: laura@desmasdons.com | Office: 705.366.2581 x.29

Gwen Higman Parts Manager

Where do we start with Gwen? Gwen is Desmasdon's Boat Works longest serving team member. Gwen has been at the marina for 25 years and has held a variety of positions. For the past 15 years or so Gwen has been our Parts Manager. Many of you have dealt with Gwen over the years with parts or service questions. If you've dealt with Gwen, you know her sense of humour and contagious laugh echo through the marina on most days. We are very fortunate to have a certified parts person to assist our technicians on a day to day basis. Gwen is responsible for ordering and accounting for our vast inventory from Yamaha, Honda, and Mercury Marine as well as thousands of parts from our various other suppliers ranging from boat seats to paint brushes, you'd be amazed what Gwen has in her inventory. The most incredible thing about Gwen is that she seemingly knows where every nut and bolt is and exactly how many she has in stock at any given time. We're fortunate to have Gwen on our team. In her time away from work, Gwen loves to spend time with her family and friends and go on shopping trips with her daughter. 

Contact Gwen: gwen@desmasdons.com | Office: 705.366.2581 x.25

Andrew Manwaring Technician

Andrew’s family has been on Georgian Bay since 1960.  His roots are tied strongly to the area which is why he decided to move here permanently and make the cottage home in 2001.  Like so many of our staff, Andrew is passionate about the area and what it has to offer.  His love for the water, boats and The Bay meant a career as a marine mechanic was a natural fit.  He’s been with us for over 5 years and appreciates all the opportunities he has to learn new things, receive factory training all to improve his standing as a certified marine licensed technician.

Ryan Midzain Shop Foreman

Ryan joined our team 5 years ago and immediately assumed a role as one of our technicians.  Ryan came to us from a career as an automotive mechanic in the city.  His family had previously cottaged in Pointe au Baril so his love for the area drew him here.  Ryan is a licensed automotive technician, licensed marine technician, is Mercruiser sterndrive certified, and Yamaha certified.  He has taken many of the service courses available at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo and is always on the cutting edge of new efficiencies and programs.  In 2016 Ryan was promoted to the role as our Shop Foreman, overseeing day to day functionality of the department and technicians.  Ryan's attention to detail and foreward thinking area true assett to the business.  When not at work, you’ll find Ryan smiling from ear to ear either on his Yamaha motorcycle or snowmobile, or busy chopping wood or tending to other cuties around his property.

Wayne Midzain Technician

Wayne is our senior technician having received his first of five provincial licenses in 1982.  After a career as an automotive technician in the city achieving Grand Master Status, Wayne relocated to the area almost 20 years ago and made the switch to being a marine technician.  Since that time, Wayne has continued updating his skills and has completed extensive factory training and certifications including Yamaha, Mercruiser, and Honda.  When he isn’t at work Wayne likes spending time with his family, fishing or snowmobiling the areas incredible trails.

Max MageeApprentice Technician

Max has joined our technician team for 2016.  He comes with years of industry experience and a life time of tinkering.  We look forward to a long future with Max.

Al Reicheld Dry Land Operations & Maintenance

Al has been a valuable member of the service team for over five years.  You'll most often see Al on the forklift or in a truck, but he has many roles at the marina.  His vast skill set is very valuable to our team.  When not at work, Al enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and his wife, Kerry, and two boys.

Richard RankinDry Land Operations & Maintenance

Richard is new to our team in 2016.  He comes to us with heavy equipment experience which is sure to help our flow of boats and product around the marina.  Richard has spent years in the airline industry so brings an immesne knoweldge of process, attention to detail, scheduling and safety to our organization.  Welcome Richard!