Tim McEwan will take his economic development experience to a provincial level.
As of Monday, the former Initiatives Prince George president and CEO begins a new position with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.
McEwan takes on the role of associate deputy minister and will head the new Major Investments Office.
"I think Tim is a great choice for the position," said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell.
The office was created as a part of the Liberals' B.C. Jobs Plan to work with investors to propose significant projects and provide personalized business relationships and services through international trade offices.
"The role will be to look at the largest investments that we are trying to attract into B.C. - likely projects that are in the billion dollar-plus range - and work with proponents to move them through the process quickly and efficiently," said Bell.
The Prince George-Mackenzie MLA said he thinks the north will be well served having McEwan in this new position, having spent the past few years living in northern B.C.
"Clearly he understands the opportunities associated, that big resource plays," Bell said. "I think, from Prince George's perspective, from British Columbia's perspective, he'll be a great choice. He'll be someone who'll always have us in mind as he's doing his work."
Although he doesn't get involved with human resource decisions, Bell said the position was posted before Christmas. "I understand there was quite a few applicants that came in. Time went through the interview process along with others and was the successful candidate," he said.
McEwan resigned from IPG - the city's arms-length economic development branch - on Jan. 30 after four years on the job, without providing information on what his new position would be or whether or not it would take him from Prince George.
In his resignation letter, he would only say he was leaving to pursue "exciting new opportunities."
