Ten months after launching its search for an economic development “guru” who would bring more business to St. Albert, the city found its man within its own ranks. Guy Boston, the current general manager of planning and engineering, will become the executive director of economic development effective July. The announcement was made at Monday's public meeting of the standing committee on finance.
Ten months after launching its search for an economic development "guru" who would bring more business to St. Albert, the city found its man within its own ranks.
Guy Boston, the current general manager of planning and engineering, will become the executive director of economic development effective July. The announcement was made at Monday's public meeting of the standing committee on finance.
"The economic development role is big and that is going to involve deal-making between landowners, business owners," said city manager Patrick Draper, "And Guy with his knowledge not just in St. Albert but previous to his time in St. Albert, knows how to work the system to bring a proposal to fruition."
Boston said he's ready to start connecting some of St. Albert's dots when it comes to economic development.
"Our opportunities aren't limitless but there are catalysts moving forward that are setting St. Albert to be on the regional, national and international stage," Boston said.
Boston is in his second stint as the general manager of planning and engineering, first serving from 2003 to 2007 before reassuming the role in 2011 after a four-year absence. In that time he worked with CH2M HILL Canada Ltd, where he was responsible for expanding the firm's transportation portfolio provincially and nationally.
Draper said Boston has the skills as well as the networks of contacts the role requires.
"I am impressed by Guy's track record of brokering complex deals, creating value for organizations he's worked for and his pioneering spirit," Draper said.
The city originally created the position of general manager of economic development, who it saw as an individual who would travel constantly and sell businesses on locating in St. Albert. A first round of applicants found through a headhunting agency was rejected because none were deemed qualified. After Draper was hired in late April as city manager, he rebranded the position as executive director of economic development.
"The possibility of Guy taking over this new role took shape over the past few weeks," Draper said.
Draper added that a plan to hire a new general manager of planning and engineering is in place and would take approximately three to four weeks.
