The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has hired a new chief executive officer.
Stephen Thompson will take over late this summer for George Mallay who retires at month's end. He says it will be a homecoming of sorts.
"I was born and raised in London, Ontario and went to Waterloo for university and moved around the province after doing a Masters in Economic Development at Waterloo," says Thompson.
He says one of his first priorities will be to update the economic development strategy.
"It's a four or five year strategy and is due for it's regular update," says Thompson. "Through that we'll work to identify key sectors and put together strategies and business plans. First and foremost about how we can make our existing businesses even more successful, but also how we can attract new employers to the area."
He's currently wrapping up a four year diplomatic assignment in California as Ontario's Senior Representative in the Western U.S.
Thompson has served as investment lead in the bio-product sector for the Ontario government, and has held economic development positions in Niagara and Port Colborne. He has also received numerous awards over his career.