Three senior staff have been added to the management team of the 2015 Canada Winter Games - including two prominent Prince George residents.
Former Prince George Airport director of business development and aviation services Todd Doherty has been named the director of revenue generation for the games. City of Prince George manager of communications and citizen engagement Mike Davis has been appointed director of marketing and communication for the games.
Leanne Wall - who comes to Prince George from the City of Burnaby where she was the business analyst, asset and capital projects manager - has been appointed the director of finance and controller for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
"After receiving hundreds of resumes from across Canada in early October, I am ecstatic to have put an initial team in place that has the passion, skills, leadership and determination to host this magical event," games CEO Stuart
Ballantyne said.
"We are all excited to get to work immediately. And I am confident with this group as the founding members of our leadership team, we will settle for nothing less than spectacular."
Ballantyne said an administrative manager has already been hired and a short-list has been created for the director of sport and venues position.
"Obviously that is a critical position for us, so we're going through a bit of an additional process for that one," Ballantyne said.
The four directors will form the core senior management for the games, he said, but the number of staff positions will increase - particularly in 2013 and 2014 as the games get closer.
Prince George will host the 2015 Canada Winter Games from Feb. 12 to March 1, 2015. The 20-sport event is expected to draw 2,800 national-level athletes and 1,300 officials, media and support staff, plus thousands of visitors.
In a written statement, Doherty said he was pleased to be returning to work in Prince George. Doherty spent 10 years working for the Prince George Airport before taking a position at Edmonton International Airport in March.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to my community and become involved in a cause that will affect so many," Doherty said in a written statement. "I am so proud to join this team and begin preparations to host the nation to our region in 2015."
He begins his new position on Dec. 5.
Promoting the games will be the job of Davis, who has worked in marketing and communications for the Prince George Cougars, Prince George Airport and City of Prince George.
"I believe this event will positively transform our city leaving lasting legacies, while igniting a renewed spirit and pride for all citizens," Davis said in a written statement.
Davis had done some work on behalf of the games organization prior to taking the position, Ballantyne said, but will be joining the games full time on Dec. 12.
Managing the game's estimated $30 million operational budget will be Wall's primary responsibility.
Wall is a former competitive fastball player, who competed in the World Masters Games in 1998, 2005 and 2009. Wall also served as vice-president of finance for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games.
Wall relocated from the Lower Mainland to Prince George in early November.
"Prince George has great facilities, community spirit and the hospitality to host a remarkable event," said Wall in a written statement.
