When the city's economic development branch had to replace former president and CEO Tim McEwan, they didn't have to look far.
Heather Oland being brought into the role of vice president of strategic initiatives at Initiatives Prince George last September was a strategy in itself.
"When we hired Heather last year, it was with a view to succession within the organization," said board chair Mark Feldinger.
Following McEwan's resignation at the end of January, Oland was promoted to acting CEO. The qualifier from her title was dropped June 20 after a review of her work.
"Based upon what we saw as the board and the feedback we received and some external expertise that we also retained, we're comfortable with the decision to appoint her into a CEO role on a permanent basis," Feldinger said.
According to the chair, the IPG board had "read the signs."
"We were getting to a point where we thought we may need to have a change up," he said.
Back in March, Feldinger - then vice chair of the board - said the organization had a "wonderful relationship" with McEwan and was also seeking a "more collaborative approach with the city."
The city has already begun a review of its service agreement with IPG, which will be enhanced by the city's core services review.
Council's finance and audit committee has already met and discussed their general thoughts around what the city would like to see in a new contract.
One of these directions is to have more connection between city council and the organization's elected officials, said Mayor Shari Green.
"In the service agreement, the CEO of Initiatives Prince George meets with our [chief administrative officer], the city manager, on a regular basis. But there's nothing in there about the mayor and the board chair," Green said, adding it's an opportunity to give a better understanding between the board and council.
Green said she doesn't wish to see significant changes to the way the organization operates as there has now been a move for IPG to focus more within the city boundaries as opposed to generating economic success for northern BC.
"I think Initiative Prince George has that same priority now and the new CEO is very cognizant of the importance of growing Prince George," Green said.
The mayor is also not calling for anyone's head following the $140,000 severance McEwan negotiated before leaving to immediately take a post for the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.
"I personally think the board made the best decisions they could with the information they had," she said. "Ultimately, I think the employment contract needs to protect the taxpayer and I don't believe we'll see another agreement like the one we saw with Mr. McEwan," Green said.
Feldinger would not comment on Oland's compensation, but did say that "you can assume that the cost of delivery of service in aggregate for Initiative Prince George will be less than it was in the prior year. We've made that commitment to council."
McEwan made $170,000 per year, plus a performance, during his time at IPG. Oland was earning $125,000 per year in her previous as strategic initiatives vice president.
IPG has also streamlined their operations by not filling Oland's previous position, which may have more to do with with the board's confidence in Oland being in the job for the long term.
"We believe that our decision not to put a vice president behind Heather at this time is appropriate," Feldinger said.
