The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission’s (CEDC) board of directors looked to the provincial government to find its new CEO.
Jamie Taylor, the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) senior manager of regional services and relationships, has been picked to succeed retiring CEO Eric Zakrewski.
Her first official day on the job is Aug. 22. Zakrewski will assist during the transition.
A CEDC news release said Taylor comes to the job with 20 years of economic development experience from within the federal and provincial government ranks and has a “proven track record” in stakeholder and Indigenous consultation and engagement in “managing large, complex and politically sensitive projects.”
Before her time with the MTO, she held managerial roles with Northern Development and Mines, FedNor, and Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
Taylor holds an honours bachelor of commerce degree from Lakehead University and an IVEY executive leadership program certificate.
“Given a smooth transition of leadership is absolutely critical, we’ve been able to coordinate a transition period for Eric and Jamie to work alongside each other,” said CEDC Chair Peter Marchl in a news release,
“Eric and Jamie have an established productive working relationship and I know Eric is 100 per cent committed to ensuring Jamie’s success, and that of the CEDC staff and the organization as whole.”
In the release, Taylor said she was “honoured with the trust and faith” the board of directors have place in her to lead the organization.
“We are in an exciting period of economic growth potential in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario and while there are certainly many challenges, I am looking forward to working with all of our stakeholders and partners to advance our economy and tourism.”
In a statement, Zakrewski was pleased with Taylor’s hiring.
“As I am wrapping up the CEDC’s new strategic plan for 2023 to 2025, I am confident Jamie will be a strong leader who can advance the strategic directions our numerous partners and stakeholders have identified as our priorities going forward.”
“Over the past three years, I am most proud of building a better, more capable team of economic development, project management and tourism professionals at the CEDC whom are more recognized than ever for their ability to create positive, impactful results for the community.”
Zakrewski listed the commission’s biggest achievements over his term as their success in attracting Great Lakes cruise ships for port visits, in bringing skilled workers to Thunder Bay through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and in working with the area’s mining industry to identify job and business procurement opportunities.
