Success on the home front
Family values form a firm foundation for Queensway VW

By today's idiomatic standards, you could describe him as a 'home boy.'

But he's also an avid boater. He's a pilot, too. He likes scuba diving and he's even tried skydiving. Although he basically sees himself as just a neighbourhood guy, raising a family in Etobicoke. But David Green, one of the country's largest volume Volkswagen dealers, turns out to be a very normal guy who's having a fine time in life and loves the way things are turning out.

As is often the case, there's more than one generation involved in the dealership. Robert Green, David's father, first joined Queensway VW back in 1958 before taking over ownership in 1970. That gave David the opportunity to wash cars during the summers while attending high school and, later, Trent University.

His first post-university sojourn was in the automotive finance business as a 'repo' guy for IAC, where he quickly learned a lesson in real life. At the time, IAC was evolving into a bank and adopted a tough stance with its outstanding car loans. "I met people happily driving new cars who hadn't made a payment in 18 months. I sneaked into garages, did stake outs - it was an education."

By 1984 David had left the repossessing game and progressed to selling GM products before joining the family firm in 1986.

You might think a career at a local star dealer would make him a bit of a celebrity, but David recalls the look on people's faces at class reunions; like he'd let them down.

His family includes Nancy and kids Karen, aged 19, William, 16, and Heather, 10. "William may one day run this place," observes David, pointing out, "I still have an office for my dad." The elder Green continues to come in often and his son anticipates he'll want to do the same, even after he passes the torch. "I know I'd be at loose ends without someplace to go; my wife would kill me."

Daughter Karen, on the other hand, is about other things. She's studying fine arts and David is optimistic she will find a vocation in the arts she loves as much as he loves his livelihood. Young Heather is a child with special needs, but her contribution to family life is multifaceted and she has become a central influence on the family, giving their mutual activities extra value.

In addition to hailing from West End Toronto, the other node in the family axis is their Clear Lake cottage in the Kawarthas. It's the linchpin for David's boating enthusiasm.

He's been boating on the lake all his life and now navigates it at the wheel of his Cobalt 226, a high-end Waverider runabout that true boaters can appreciate. Here again, though, his sticking-close-to-home nature surfaces. Even with the whole Trent Canal System readily accessible, the family's home-centred life - taking Heather's needs into account - has made day trips a preferable way to go. Pleasures such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, outings on their personal watercraft and diving fill their summer days.

Considering David's hobbies and interests, you wonder how he manages to fit in work. He has 18 years of Tae Kwon Do under his belt. He pitched in seniors-league baseball, as a mediocre lefthander, he admits. Parachuting? He tried that too, and found time to run a paintball 'survivor' game place.

He has coached kids' ball teams as well as sponsoring them. His eldest daughter Karen's softball team appropriately adopted the Queensway LadyBugs as a team name. He also sponsors and takes an active interest with several local teams, including sponsoring the extensive resources for players on select sports teams.

Golf? What car dealer doesn't play? But in this case David's also heavily involved in a benefit tournament for the William Ostler Hospital. Started by West End auto stalwart Ross Wemp, this tournament raises $100,000 annually for the hospital and David is often a board member and, occasionally, its chairman. He remains involved in CAI's activities, too, and has set up a scholarship in his father's name.

Then there is flying. It was a childhood dream of David's to get his licence and he loves life in the clouds, at least when he's not being down-to-earth business-wise.

With all this activity, it'd be easy to overlook the dealership. But this year his Queensway VW shop is getting a lot more than its usual share of attention.

There's a major expansion underway, so David and his staff are operating from temporary quarters on the site. But that'll soon end and the dealership, bigger and better than ever, will continue its central role in the Green family life.

Running a business close to home, creating a base for a family lifestyle you can't beat, David tells me: "I love to go home for lunch." Now that's a recipe for success at all levels.