Develop and implement Economic Development Framework which includes business investment attraction, business retention and expansion strategies, and tourism awareness/promotion. Work collaboratively with regional partnerships, including Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA), Regional Economic Development Alliance (REDA) of Northeast Alberta (Alberta HUB), and Go East of Edmonton Tourism. Foster and maintains working relationships with other orders of government and stakeholders. Maintain current economic development information from regional, provincial, national and international sources and responds to information requests from the general public, business and the industrial community – including Alberta Industrial Heartland Association. This includes the preparation of profile bid packages as required for industrial, commercial and residential bidding opportunities. Attend meetings and conferences, and assist with corporate projects such as trade shows, public presentations and displays. Prepare reports, make presentations and provides professional advice to the Director of Planning and Community Services, the CAO, and Lamont County Council – and assists in the logistics of all economic development functions as required. Prepare the annual economic development and tourism budgets, and maintains cost control throughout the year. Participate as a member of the Heartland Economic Development Leaders’ group.

Undertaking contract work including Municipal Economic Development and Tourism consulting services: Economic Development Projects, Economic Development Strategies, Economic Development Assessments, Tourism Opportunity Identification, and Community Evaluations.

As a member of the management team, the Manager, Business Retention, Expansion and Tourism plays an integral role to develop and implement strategies, programs and services that help grow, incubate, accelerate, and diversify businesses in the community across existing retail and commercial asset classes including multi-family residential development. The Business Retention and Expansion service supports the long-term success of businesses in the County, as well as provides support for their expansion. Services include one-on-one support, business visitation, market research and supply chain mapping, export development, workforce development, the visitor economy and destination development. This position leads the tourism development execution contained in the County’s 10-year tourism strategy to support the visitor economy. This position will act as an ambassador representing the County with key economic development and tourism stakeholders including other senior levels of government. This position works closely with the Director, Senior Leadership and Council to make recommendations while implementing business development initiatives and often facilitates highly sensitive and confidential strategies for business retention, expansion and tourism.Lead, manage, coach and inspire business retention and expansion activities by ensuring resources are deployed to achieve goals. The Business Retention and Expansion service collaborates to improve the long-term success of small and medium businesses.Provide business support opportunities through the creation of new programming for the education of both new entrepreneurs and new businesses, seminars and training on relevant business topics, one-on-one coaching support, business visitation program, market research, mapping, and business mentorship. Tourism Development focuses on the execution of the County’s 10-year tourism strategy including the attraction of tourists to support the County’s visitor economy.

• Manage investment attraction and aftercare leading to 700,000 square feet of new retail/commercial developments in Sherwood Park in 5 years• Several long-term Acting Director assignments (over one year in total) confidently overseeing a team of ten and participating as member of the Senior Leadership Team. • As Manager, Commercial Development provide expertise, guidance and mentorship to three direct reports to fulfill the department business plan while overseeing marketing and communications within the department.• Representing and promoting County to the real estate brokerage community. • Responsible for agenda and meeting preparation for the Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee along with support for other corporate committees. Prepare, manage and report the annual department budget totaling $1.9 million-dollars• Manage and provide quality information, data and metrics while overseeing business consultation services for commercial development as well as light and medium industrial inquiries. • Cross trained in large industrial development attraction matters including topics such as incentives, taxation, transportation and infrastructure investments, industry products, and petrochemical and energy sector opportunities.• Prepare and write council reports, speeches and supporting materials. Deliver talks to audiences as large as 300 people. • Participate and lead in regional and sub-regional partnerships including Edmonton Global, some Alberta Industrial Heartland Association meetings, GO East Tourism, and past Chair of the Greater Edmonton Economic Development Team (GEEDT) (2018-2021). • Liaise with various business and stakeholder groups to encourage a confident and competitive market place through information exchange, networking, tourism and shop local support programs. • Ongoing training and direct mentorship from past director Mr. Gerry Gabinet in leadership and economic development best practices.

Responsible for the management and execution of all aspects of Economic Development for the Town of Okotoks, Alberta including: Business Development, Business Retention & Expansion, Investment Attraction, Tourism Product Development, Tourism Marketing & Promotion, Community Economic Development, Business Licensing, Industrial Land and Municipal Property Sales, Physician Recruitment & Retention, & Post Secondary Education Development. Leadership and management responsibilities include preparing budgets, supervising and working with a team of staff and various cross-functional staff from other departments, presentations and public speaking, trade show attendance. Responsible for the creation, development and execution of an extensive Economic Development Strategy and have assisted in the development of a 10 year regional economic development strategy. Successfully managed a now award winning viral tourism marketing campaign "There Are A Number of Things to Do in Okotoks", that leveraged over $1 million dollars+ in exposure across the nation.• 10 years of senior level management experience reporting directly to the Chief Administrative Officer for nine years and one year to the Director of Planning and Development Services. • Results oriented: increased business growth in Okotoks by 40% over a ten-year period • Developed and managed operating budgets of $600,000 on an annual basis • Managed economic development team (two direct reports) and worked with several cross functional teams. • Initiate, research, and undertake complex projects including: Relocation & Visitor Guides, Foothills Business Incubator, Post-Secondary Education and Physician Attraction & Retention Committees. • Other skills and training courses: social media, team building, incident command training ICS 100, finding agreement, process mapping, customer service, media training, conflict resolution & negotiation.Resigned to take position with Strathcona County Economic Development.

While in Thunder Bay I was the Film & Multi Media Coordinator, Information Officer (Research), Small Business Consultant, Development Officer I & II for the Education, Biotechnology & Knowledge Economy Portfolio.• Reported directly to the Manager of the department who reported to the General Manager Development Services.• Performed detailed analysis and services in economic development including the sectors: health, tourism, small business and entrepreneurship consulting services, life sciences, information technology & biotechnology sectors. Implemented related strategic and promotional plans and industry presentations working in tandem with the private sector. • Inward investment and attraction of key businesses in targeted sectors with participation in trade shows in the USA.• Written reports, announcements, and speech preparation for Mayor and City Council.• Co-ordinated and attended trade shows locally and internationally. Conducted discussions and negotiations with private and public sector stakeholders including Lakehead University and several DNA companies. • Development of proactive marketing tools such as a Film Resource Guide for the local film industry. • Liaised with community stakeholders and partners to create a proactive marketing plans to attract film production investment to the community. Worked with grassroots and indigenous filmmakers on film location selection.Resigned to take position with the Town of Okotoks, Alberta. Moved to Alberta.