For over forty years, the Bannister family and its partners have been bringing quality automotive products and services to communities across Western Canada. With stores in the Okanagan Valley, Thompson-Nicola region, Columbia-Shuswap, Peace Region, Yellowhead County, Edmonton Metropolitan Region, and the Fraser Valley, Bannister Automotive Group continues to lead our local communities in sales, customer service, and charitable initiatives.
Starting with a single Pontiac Buick dealership in Barrhead, Alberta, Lyn and Joanne Bannister, along with their children Mark, Chad and Mary-Jo, built a company that now employs over nine hundred people in two provinces that has had a consistent message: we are a family business with family values.
For over forty years, the Bannister family and its partners have been bringing quality automotive products and services to communities across Western Canada. With stores in the Okanagan Valley, Thompson-Nicola region, Columbia-Shuswap, Peace Region, Yellowhead County, Edmonton Metropolitan Region, and the Fraser Valley, Bannister Automotive Group continues to lead our local communities in sales, customer service, and charitable initiatives.
Starting with a single Pontiac Buick dealership in Barrhead, Alberta, Lyn and Joanne Bannister, along with their children Mark, Chad and Mary-Jo, built a company that now employs over nine hundred people in two provinces that has had a consistent message: we are a family business with family values.
Lyn Bannister attended the University of Denver on a hockey scholarship where he received his Bachelor of Physical Education, followed by a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota and went on to pursue a ten year career in education and coaching hockey.
With Lyn’s entrepreneurial spirit and a supportive wife, Joanne, Lyn left his education career in 1975. In 1979 they moved to Barrhead, Alberta where they primarily raised their three children, Mark, Chad and Mary-Jo. It was in Barrhead that Lyn and Joanne had the opportunity to purchase the GM store, Lyn Bannister Pontiac Buick, with the financial backing of Motors Holding, a division of General Motors.
In 1990 Lyn and Joanne sold their store in Barrhead and moved to the Okanagan and purchased Bannister GM Vernon.
In 1996 Lyn was honoured with the McLean’s Magazine Dealer of Excellence Award for the province of BC, recognizing the best new car dealers across Canada. Lyn has served on numerous boards in the automotive industry, locally, provincially and nationally.
All three children have taken post-secondary education in business and the automotive industry. Mark and Mary-Jo attended the Canadian Automotive Institute in Barrie, ON and transferred to Northwood University in West Palm Beach, FL for their final year where they obtained their Bachelor of Business Administration, Automotive Marketing. Chad attended Camrose Lutheran College, now Augustana University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Economics, followed by a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Upon graduation he enrolled in the three year CA program with KPMG. Both Chad and Mary-Jo have taken the dealer academy training program through NADA. (The US based National Automotive Dealer Association.)
What started out as Lyn and Joanne working in the business for 20 years has truly become a family business.
The Bannister Family acquires Bannister GP Kia, with GP Honda Partner Chris Long stepping in as General Manager and Partner.
The Bannister family acquires Bannister Chevrolet Kamloops, Bannister Cadillac Kamloops, & Bannister Hyundai Kamloops. Arsalan Zuhair & his wife Terrilyn come on as partners.
The Bannister family becomes a minority partner in Northgate GM Edmonton alongside owners Mike & Pam Lowe.
The Bannister family acquires Bannister Ford Edson-their second location in Edson, AB.
The Bannister family acquires the Mertin Auto Group in Chilliwack, BC, adding GM, Cadillac, Hyundai, Nissan, and Kia dealerships to the group. Brian Westwell & his wife Nicole come on as partners.
Bannister Ford Dawson Creek is purchased with partner Aaron Powell & his wife Angie.
Bannister GP Honda (FKA Grande Prairie Honda) is added to the group. Chris Long & his wife Elizabeth come on as partners in 2020.
Bannister GM Kelowna & Bannister Cadillac Kelowna are purchased.
Bannister Honda Vernon is purchased with partner Pat Loehndorf & his wife Julia.
Bannister GM Dawson Creek (FKA Browns’ Chevrolet) is purchased with partner Aaron Powell & his wife Angie.
Bannister Chev Penticton (FKA Huber Bannister Chevrolet) is purchased. Julian Smallbone & his wife Kim come on as partners in 2019.
The family acquires Bannister GM Edson.
Bannister GM Salmon Arm (FKA Salmon Arm GM) is purchased. Ian Gray and his wife Holly later come on as partners in 2015.
Lyn is honoured with MacLean’s Magazine Dealer of Excellence Award for the province of BC, recognizing the best new car dealers across Canada.
Lyn and Joanne sell the dealership in Barrhead & move to the Okanagan Valley in BC, where they purchase Bannister GM Vernon.
Lyn and Joanne Bannister move to Barrhead, AB, where they purchase their first dealership, “Lyn Bannister Pontiac Buick”.
