LEARN MORE ABOUT WILSON WELL DRILLING
BRIEF HISTORY
The first “water” Wilson started selling windmills to pump water in the late 1800s. From there, the business evolved into working on wells, pumps (both before and after electricity was introduced), and various plumbing and water needs. The third generation of “water” Wilson, J. B., started well drilling in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Under J. B. and then John R. Wilson (the “son” in J. B. Wilson & Son), the business expanded greatly over the next fifty years, offering a full range of well drilling and pumping system services. At the turn of the 21st century, the next generation of “water” Wilsons, Johnny and Matt, joined the family business full time, expanding the products and services offered even further, adding water treatment to the line-up.
JOHN R. WILSON
John Sr. grew up working with his dad and the family well business, along with getting things done on the family farm. After graduating from the University of Guelph with an Honours B.Sc. in Microbiology, John worked for General Foods in Coburg and then as Quality Control Manager at Kellogg’s in London. John “retired” in 1977 and came home to work in the well drilling business full-time. John Sr. is the company president and has served as director and president of both the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) and the Canadian Ground Water Association (CGWA). He was also awarded the CGWA’s highest honour, the Canadian Ground Water Stewardship Award, in 2002.
JOHN H. WILSON
Like his dad, Johnny jumped in the truck as soon as he was old enough, going with his dad to drill sites and on service calls. After working through high school in the family business, Johnny attended the University of Windsor, graduating with a B.Sc. in Environmental Geology. Johnny is the only person to graduate from the program while holding a valid driller’s licence. Following several geologist placements around the world, Johnny came back to the family business in 2000 but still dabbles in some exploration projects. Johnny has also started a collaboration with the University of Windsor Hydrogeology program, educating future hydrogeologists about how things work in the field. He is currently the co-Vice President. Johnny is also currently the Vice President of the Canadian National.
MATTHEW WILSON
Matt also grew up tagging along with his dad and grandpa as soon as he was old enough to jump into the truck. Just like his dad and older brother Johnny, he worked nights, weekends, and holidays throughout high school either on the drill rig or servicing wells and pumps. After graduating from the University of Guelph with an Honours B.Sc. in Molecular Genetics, Matt worked in student leadership for 2 years and then in the pharmaceutical industry for another 3 ½ years. He then joined his dad and brother in the family business in 2004 and is currently the co-Vice President of the company. Matthew is also currently the President of the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA).
ARTICLES
If you are interested to learn more about us and our community outreach activities, here are links to a few articles featuring Wilson Well Drilling:
Canadian National Ground Water Association (CNGWA) Board of Directors elected – Johnny Wilson is elected as first vice-president of CNGWA.
Sowing the seeds – Outreach efforts by Wilson Well Drilling.
Highlights from the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) convention – John Sr. wins Industry Award; Matthew Wilson is elected as president of OGWA.
Wind turbine development patterns in the Chatham-Kent area – Matthew Wilson travels to Queens Part to meet with MPPs, University of Windsor professor, and concerned citizens.
AN INDUSTRY ICON HONOURED
If you are an active member of the Canadian Ground Water Association (CGWA), you probably already know John R. Wilson of J.B. Wilson and Son Well Drilling from Springfield, Ontario. Throughout his extensive involvement in his provincial and national associations, he has held several titles, worked on several projects and quietly guided many other upcoming board members and future presidents through the ranks, driven by his sheer desire to support his industry.
Wilson was recognized for his dedication during the President’s Banquet at the CanWell 2002 convention in Toronto. In a surprise presentation, he was handed several awards paying tribute to his 20 years of service. Wilson has the distinction of being president for both the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) from 1986 to 1988 and the CGWA from 1992 to 1994 while ascending the ranks of their respective boards in between.
He was presented with two awards for his 20 years of accumulated service to both the provincial and the national associations, but the highest honour was bestowed to him when he was presented with the Stewardship Award. This prestigious award symbolizes the mission of the CGWA which is to encourage the management and protection of ground water. It is only presented as the discretion of the board when there is an individual worthy of receiving it and Wilson is only the second person to be given this honour. It was first presented to Wayne Adams, the former Minister of the Environment for Nova Scotia during CanWell 1998.
However, Wilson’s service to his industry goes beyond the official titles he has held. This was evident in the steady stream of members from the head table thanking him one way or another for helping them and the associations progress to where they are today.
Wilson, who is a fourth generation family well driller, is also fulfilling another family legacy in Ontario municipal politics, as he is the Warden of Elgin County.
A humble man by nature, Wilson thanked the CanWell 2002 committee, past and present presidents, respective board members and colleagues for the honours given him and only asked that those in attendance be proud of both their associations and their industry.
For those who know John Wilson, this recognition was no surprise at all.
Chris Skalkos
Editor
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