Northern Development Initiative Trust has found a new chief executive officer.
Joel McKay, the agency's communications director, will step into the position Oct. 3, NDIT said Monday in a statement.
He takes over from Janine North, who has held the position since the economic development corporation began operating in 2005.
"I feel honoured to have been selected to lead the Trust into its second decade," McKay said in the statement. "The north is my home, my family's home, and I believe very passionately that the best economic decisions for the north should be made in the north."
Both North and board chair Evan Saugstad expressed confidence in McKay.
"Joel's demonstrated commitment to the Trust and his desire to help grow B.C.'s central and northern economies will serve the Trust well," said Saugstad.
"Joel has a passion for northern communities and building a stronger economy," said North. "He has the vision and service ethic that will drive Northern Development to continued success over the next decade."
The selection ends a three-month search for a replacement. Previously an editor at Business in Vancouver, McKay became NDIT's communications director in 2012. In that position, he was also responsible for marketing, economic research and analysis, as well as the Fabulous Festivals and Events funding program.
In 2013, he was named one of Prince George's Top 40 Under 40 business leaders.
The economic development corporation began operating in 2005 with $185 million. Of that $135 million came out of the proceeds from the $1-billion B.C. Rail deal and just prior to the 2005 B.C. election, the provincial government added another $50 million in the name of easing the impact of the mountain pine beetle infestation.
Its capital base now stands at more than $250 million and it's since provided $150 million in funding for more than 2,000 projects throughout central and northern B.C. It has been enough to leverage $1.2 billion in new investment to the region, according to NDIT numbers.
North announced her retirement in March, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family.
