Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Blair McKeil
Chairman and CEO
McKeil Marine

As Mohawk College’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Blair McKeil draws on his experience to help students develop their start-ups. Blair is a mentor, who offers students pragmatic advice on their entrepreneurial ideas, business plans, strategies and pitches.

Blair is available by appointment, or drop by during his office hours:

Location: Mohawk College, Fennell Campus, RM i208
Time: 
            Tuesday, Jan. 17, 9am - 11am
            Tuesday, Jan. 31, 9am - 11am
            Tuesday, Feb. 14, 9am - 11am           
            Tuesday, Feb. 28, 9am - 11am
            Tuesday, Mar. 13, 9am - 11am
            Tuesday, Mar. 27, 9am - 11am 

Contact us for more information.

About Blair McKeil

Successfully operating for over 54 years, Hamilton-based McKeil Marine Limited is considered by industry analysts as an exemplary Canadian success story. The family-owned business, which operates throughout the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway, has the ability to adapt quickly and adroitly to the changing times in both global and regional trends in trade and transportation.

The key architect of this metamorphosis has been company Chairman & CEO Blair McKeil, whose roots of entrepreneurship can be traced back to his father Evans McKeil, who founded the business in 1956. Since then McKeil Marine has grown its fleet and customer base to become one of the nation’s most recognized companies in our industry. Honoring his father’s vision of a company that continuously demonstrates a commitment to people, community, and excellent customer service is Blair McKeil’s first priority. At the same time, he is no stranger to taking risks.

By the age of twenty-six, Blair McKeil was deeply involved in the company started by his father. Seven years later, he assumed full leadership of McKeil Marine Limited and began to steer it through the challenges of the modern economy. His charismatic personality has been instrumental in developing new enterprises and opportunities.

Blair has been an active contributor to a variety of industry organizations including, the past president of The Marine Club and the Easter Canada Tug Owners Association. Through these organizations, Blair has been able to develop strong relationships, both within North America and abroad. In 1995 and in 2006 Blair the Hamilton Chamber Commerce honored Blair with an Outstanding Business Achievement Award. Blair credits his employees for ‘making a difference’ and contributing to the company’s longevity and success.