The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) didn’t have to reach far to nab its new CEO.
The global search for the successor to Steve Demmings was already in town. Well-known forest industry veteran Doug Murray was unveiled as the commission's new chief executive officer on Aug. 7.
Murray, a Thunder Bay native, is the former general manager of the local Resolute Forest Products mill and brings more than 30 years of industry experience in Northern Ontario and British Columbia.
Lauded in a city news release as a “seasoned Thunder Bay business leader with a track record of identifying opportunities,” CEDC board chairman Paul Inksetter is convinced they picked the right candidate from an impressive slate of national and international applicants.
The board and its executive search firm screened about 60 applications before interviewing seven candidates.
“We had candidates as far away as China and Australia,” said Inksetter, “a lot with direct economic development experience.
Apparently it was a very attractive position and a lot of people were interested in applying for it.”
Inksetter views Murray as a well-rounded leader, pointing out his involvement with local service clubs, the chamber of commerce, including a four-year on the Ontario chamber's board of directors, and his position on the founding board of the Northern Ontario Policy Institute.
As a licensed engineer, Inksetter said Murray brings extensive knowledge of the region's energy sector, especially from working on industry co-generation projects.
“He had the right combination of managerial skills and expertise and leadership that we were looking for.”
During the interview process, Inksetter said Murray delivered a “powerful presentation” and “seemed to have a clear focus on how he’d like to see the organization move forward.
“He’s very straight-talking, very informal, and he’s very to the point,” added Inksetter. “We’re looking for strong effective management from Doug and a clear decision-making process.”
Murray was not available for comment but said in a statement: "I’ve played a leadership role in the revitalization of the forest industry and liaised extensively with community, labour and government contacts.
I'm really looking forward to working with the CEDC's partners and furthering the commission’s objectives.”
He now helms an award-winning organization based on its heavy promotion of the region's mineral potential and its related business opportunities as Thunder Bay positions itself as a mining supply hub.
Last October, the CEDC's presentation at the North American Strategic Leadership Forum in Denver garnered an award for Strategic Project of the Year and for Best Job/Opportunity Creation Project for 2012.
Inksetter doesn’t anticipate any organizational structural changes with the commission when the board and its new CEO reconvenes for an upcoming priorities meeting.
“We have no urgent need to change the way we’ve been doing business.”
