Bombard is continuing a legacy that began in Avalon in 1919 when his late grandfather, Al Bombard, operated the Miss Catalina Speedboats, a thrill ride that was popular with tourists. Later, Bombard’s father, Doug Bombard, moved the family to Two Harbors, where he operated a resort for the Santa Catalina Island Company. It was within this environment that Bombard learned every aspect of guest services and the marine-transportation business. His hands-on education included working in the harbor department and running the hunting lodge at Two Harbors, all operating under the banner of Bombard Marine and Resorts Management Services, the family-owned company started by his father.

“I’ve been coached all the way through my life by my grandfather, my father, and friends,” says Bombard.

Of Lori, his wife of 24 years, he says, “She’s been a huge asset,” helping him stay focused on the business while raising a family. “You have to be happy in your personal life in order to stay focused in your professional life.”

In 1981 Bombard partnered with his father and life-long friend Tom Rutter to open Catalina Channel Express. They began operating out of San Pedro with a 55-passenger boat, taking tourists and residents to Avalon and Two Harbors. Over the years, the company has expanded to eight Coast Guard-certified vessels and continues to grow with an eye towards the latest marine technology and passenger comfort and safety.

Bombard is also concerned about how to grow his business in an environmentally sensitive manner. “We’ve always worked to be environmentally friendly,” he says. Acquiring the most fuel-efficient boats possible is key. “We’ve been involved with the Port of Los Angeles and the Air Quality Management District to re-power and upgrade our fleet with the latest environmentally friendly technology. Through the Port of Los Angeles and other agency partnerships, we have received 50 percent of the funding necessary to re-power every boat in our fleet to an EPA emissions standard of Tier I. The most recent vessel, which underwent a re-power in Seattle at Nichols Brothers Boat Yard on Whidbey Island, was re-launched the beginning of April as the first high-speed ferry in California that will be operating on the new Tier II engine.”

Since its beginnings, Catalina Channel Express has served more than 19 million passengers.

At present, the company operates out of four mainland ports—two in Long Beach and one each in San Pedro and Dana Point—and serves Avalon, Two Harbors, and the camps along the coast.

“We saw a need for fast and comfortable service,” Bombard says, “and then we moved on from there.” If his passengers enjoy their ride, Bombard knows he’s met his goal.

Bombard’s association with the city of Long Beach began in 1989, and it “took off like a rocket.”

The expansion to Long Beach occurred when the Disney Group managed the Queen Mary. “We wanted to get to the Queen Mary because we thought we could do the trip faster, and we knew Long Beach was also a location that people really enjoyed,” Bombard says. “Sixty percent of our passengers travel to and from Long Beach.”

In 1990, Catalina Channel Express added a second boat to the Long Beach location, then opened the downtown landing, and continues to take guests to and from Long Beach in under an hour—another goal Bombard set for the company.

While entrepreneurial success in itself is highly gratifying, Bombard sees happiness and success as inseparable: “Everybody needs to reach inside and figure out what their skill sets are. I encourage everybody that I run into that if you see something that just makes you excited, go do it. At least give it a try. You never know what’s going to work.”

Bombard is someone who finds giving back easy, whether through his affiliations with the U.S. Passenger Vessel Association, the Marine Exchange of Southern California, or the International Association of Fast Ferry Operators. Just as important is his service to the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach and the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is also the kind of man who takes the time to sit down with a college student intent upon writing a paper about success in business.

Most notably, Bombard gave freely of his time, energy, and resources during last year’s Catalina fires, when he transported firefighters, Red Cross workers, and their equipment to and from the island. He also made sure residents and guests in harm’s way were taken safely to the mainland.

“Greg is one of the nicest gentlemen that I have ever known,” says Chamber CEO Randy Gordon. “He is one of those quiet entrepreneurs who has been very successful, but never blows his own horn. It is our sincere pleasure to blow it for him and the great employees of his company.”

“It’s a real honor for us,” Bombard says. “I came from Catalina Island and here I am in the big city—or what I relate to as the big city. And we started a business that we’ve had a lot of fun building.”

The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce honored Bombard as the City National Bank Entrepreneur of the Year at an awards luncheon held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on May 1.