Meet Scott McWalter! Scott has lived in PG for 33 years!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My daughter, Violet, because it's impossible to spend more than 10 seconds with her without smiling.
What is your favourite local store in Prince George and why?
It's a tie between Zoe's Java House (caffeine fix) and Col Juicery (nutrition fix).
Describe yourself in one word.
Driven.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Machu Picchu, Peru.
What is your favourite activity in Prince George?
Cycling with the Wheelin' Warriors of the North.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Submitting this In Focus article four weeks late.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I was fortunate enough to complete my first ever Ironman competition (1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, 21.1km run) in Victoria, with my family in attendance.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Growing up in Hart Highlands and having the entire foothills and Nechako Valley to take advantage of. Us neighbourhood kids would spend entire days in the vast forested area year-round: mountain biking, building forts, snowshoeing, you name it! After a full day of activity, we would head to the Hart Burger Bar for milkshakes.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I love volunteering my time and marketing services to work with numerous non-profits and fundraising events to help elevate awareness and drive donations, involvement and/or attendance.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would replace Donald Trump as Presidents of the United States with The Rock (Dwayne Johnson).
Where would you sneak away to in Prince George to spend some time alone?
Teapot Mountain, without a doubt (on a weeknight)
Where would you like to see positive change in Prince George and why?
I can't remember the last time I saw the downtown core of Prince George thriving with so much energy; I would love to see better mixture of residential and commercial buildings, along with a downtown UNBC Residence.
What do you think makes Prince George great?
The people, for sure.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Hike Mount Kilimanjaro
2) Compete in the annual Iron Ore Classic
3) Take my daughter to Scotland and explore the Scottish Highlands
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
My hero has been Terry Fox since I was a toddler and my parents would bring me, along with my three siblings, to the local Terry Fox Run in Prince George. I'm proud to be the Lead Organize of this annual September fundraiser once again this September.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
I've available on all social channels; I readily use the handle @GoalSpank.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Brink Group of Companies.
Why did you get into/start this business?
While I was working at UNBC, I was fortunate to meet John A. Brink. We met three times and he never asked me for a resume; instead, he wanted to see if I had the passion, attitude and work ethic necessary to join his team.
What is the goal of your business?
The Brink Group thrives in the secondary lumber manufacturing industry, in addition to its real estate development initiatives and various philanthropy endeavours.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
By far, stretching myself too thin by taking on way too much; it's a valuable skill knowing how and when to say no to things
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
It's too easy to look back and start evaluating where in your life you would have made different choices. Hindsight will always be 20/20. I prefer being in the present and preparing the best version of myself for the future.
What do you always find yourself saying?
GoalSpank!
Tell us your best piece of life advice
Chasing your dreams is a fun activity; capturing them is better.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Most people, I assume, would choose a celebrity or someone they haven't met as an answer. My selection is my mom; she's pretty much the coolest person I've ever met on this planet and always game for anything: hiking, walking the dogs, crushing Teapot Mountain, watching sports, climbing the cutbanks, etc. I honestly hit the parent jackpot and every day I'm thankful for that.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping locally not only helps stimulate our economy in a variety of ways, it also creates a significant community bond between vendors and customers that is invaluable.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being a Torch Bearer for the 2015 Canada Winter Games opening ceremony and passing the torch to one of my heroes, Jim Terrien, who is deaf and has raised over $725,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
My choice for the PrinceGeorgeNow In Focus spotlight is:
These local athletes would make great In Focus features: 1) Kendall Kershaw (Body Building); 2) Dan Gallo (Arm-Wrestling); 3) Sunjai Sharma (Hockey); 4) Lyndon Patenaude (Motocross); Megan Tandy (Biathlon); Alesha Turnquist (Figure Competitor).
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Recognize that if you attempt the impossible, you may just fail. Failure is good. Embrace it. Failure allows us the opportunity to start over again more intelligently. The people who succeed in life are the ones who never give up in situations where most others would.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Prince George!
