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By Sam Bennison

Community

Joel McKay steps down as Northern Development CEO for new role with City of Quesnel

Oct 17, 2024 | 2:42 PM

CARIBOO— The Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Board of Directors has announced that CEO Joel McKay will be leaving the Trust at the end of the year to pursue the City Manager position for the City of Quesnel.

McKay joined Northern Development back in 2012 as the Director of Communications. In 2016 he was named as CEO.

As the Director of Communications, McKay edited, produced and co-wrote the Small Town PR Playbook which was a communications handbook for local and First Nation government. The book was widely distributed and the Trust won the Don Rennie Memorial Award from the Canadian Public Relations Society in 2017 for the publication.

Then during his eight-year tenure as a CEO, the Northern Development Initiative Trust says McKay was instrumental in the following:

• More than doubled the Trusts assets under management to exceed $600 million
• Introduced the State of the North Economic Report in 2018 – the first report of its kind to provide a regional economic snapshot of Northern B.C.
• Positioned the Trust as a key public sector partner for communities and senior levels of government on important initiatives such as broadband connectivity, ground transportation, healthy communities, and agriculture.
• Revitalized community economic development programs and introduced online applications with the launch of Trust 2020.
• Partnered with the Province of B.C. and First Nation representatives to work towards Indigenous representation on the Trust’s Board of Directors and Regional Advisory Committees.
• Partnered with the Province of B.C. and community groups in Atlin, B.C. to create the Atlin Community Development Initiative.

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“It’s been an honour and a privilege to work for the Trust these past 12 years,” says Mckay. “The Trust gave me the opportunity to move to Northern B.C., put down roots and start a family. It’s been an incredible adventure. While.I’m saddened to depart this organization, I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve accomplished here together.”

As for his move to the City of Quesnel, Mayor Ron Paull says that he’s pleased to welcome him to his new role adding “The abilities that he brings to us from Northern Development Initiative Trust will be a great asset to our community, and we look forward to working with him on projects and initiatives to help further develop our beautiful city.”

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com