Who is he?
Jeffrey York is the CEO of the new-to-Ottawa fitness chain Altea Active and was previously CEO of Farm Boy, where he helped drive the company’s growth significantly.
What’s his background?
Born and raised in Ottawa, York attained an honours degree in economics from Princeton University. Over the course of his career, he has served as CEO of several successful businesses. For instance, Ontario East Economic Development says York helped grow Giant Tiger from “a regional discount chain with $250 million in sales, to $1.4 billion in sales nationally as the third largest discount chain in Canada.”
The first Ottawa Altea Active, which he will head, is under construction on Carling Avenue, with an anticipated opening in late 2024.
What do people say about him?
Caroline Phillips, writing for the Ottawa Business Journal, has been acquainted with Jeff York for the past 10 years. Six years ago, after learning more about York’s successful leadership of Giant Tiger and Farm Boy, Phillips said her reaction was: “How come this guy isn’t winning CEO of the year?”
Phillips describes him as “very well-connected, but a behind-the-scenes businessman.” She thinks he is one of the best businesspeople in Ottawa. Phillips said Jeff York uses social media such as LinkedIn to promote his business rather than to promote himself.
“When he’s philanthropic, he’s quiet. I think the reason he has been more vocal about Altea Active is because it is a project he is passionate about.”
The well-known businessman comes from a family that is “extremely athletic and successful,” according to Phillips.
What is something people don’t know about him?
Many people know that Jeff York’s brother, Jason, was a defenceman with the Ottawa Senators, but not everyone knows that Jeff played hockey for Princeton University in the 1980s and is now one of the local minority owners of the Ottawa Senators.
He helped bring together local business leaders from Ottawa and Gatineau who ultimately helped purchase the Sens. Michael Andlauer is the majority owner.
