Getting to know David MacKenzie

Who – Regional President – P.E.I. for the SaltWire Network beginning Nov. 1.

Family – MacKenzie is married to Susan. They have two children, Emma is 26 and John is 22.

Early life – MacKenzie’s parents are both from eastern P.E.I. He was born in Sarnia, Ont., as his father was a warrant officer in the Canadian military stationed in London, Ont. Eight of his first 11 years were spent in Germany. The family moved back to P.E.I. when MacKenzie was 11, settling in Belfast.

Education – He graduated from Montague Regional High School and earned a bachelor of history from UPEI before studying French at Université Laval. He took a number of business courses, including economics and marketing, while studying at UPEI.

First businesses – MacKenzie started a business while at UPEI organizing ski tours to places like Vermont and Maine. He and a partner purchased the Smitty’s restaurant in Charlottetown in 1987. After operating the business for five years, MacKenzie sold to his partner and applied for a job with the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation after seeing an ad in The Guardian.

Island proud – While there were opportunities during his career to leave P.E.I., MacKenzie said the pull to stay was too strong. “It’s probably because I spent so much time off-Island as a child and Prince Edward Island was this magical place. When our family moved back here, I think, part of me just decided this is where I wanted to grow up, go to school, get married and raise a family and that’s what we ended up doing.”

Did you know? MacKenzie’s grandfathers, William MacRae and Clarence MacKenzie both from Belfast, were two of the founders of the Pinette Raceway. MacKenzie is still involved in the sport and is a part owner in four horses. Hobbies – MacKenzie enjoys travelling to new places, reading, golfing, biking, skiing, family and friends.

SaltWire Network Inc. president and CEO Mark Lever said: “When we announced the creation of SaltWire, the most important commitment we made was to reinstate local, on-the-ground leadership that would return the day-to-day management of the publications back to the community. In P.E.I., we put the call out for a regional president who is a true Islander and someone who believes in the power of this place. Today, I’m delighted to announce that David MacKenzie answered that call.”