John Crescenzi, 36, is the general manager at Holiday Inn Express & Suites North Bay. A graduate of Humber College, he has a decade of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry. He is a member of the chamber of commerce and the Rotary Club.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Finding a balance between my work life and personal life. I have a great family at home and at work that make this balance possible, and that support me as I get involved in a number of community projects and organizations.

Q: Who is your most valued mentor?
A: Walt Disney has been a great mentor. His statement, "If you can dream it, you can do it," is one that has stuck with me for many years. Look at what this positive thinking did for him. I have had the pleasure of working for several excellent leaders in business who didn't always tell me what I wanted to hear, but rather what they felt I needed to hear in order to excel.

Q: What do you love most about North Bay
      and area ?
A: The first time I visited this city back in 2005, I knew there was something special here. The air is cleaner, the people are friendlier and this is an incredible city to raise a family in. (Oh, I almost forgot, the pickerel fishing in Lake Nipissing is great.)

Q: What else would you like to accomplish?
A: I would like to win a "90 over Ninety" award one day, mainly because I want to live a long life. I just have to get the "eat right" and "exercise" thing down to greatly improve my chances. If I can dream it, I can do it. Thanks Walt.