A national executive public search has concluded with the appointment of three members of their senior management team, stated the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society in a news release today.
Todd Doherty has been named director of revenue generation for the 2015 Canada Winter Games. A lifelong resident of Northern British Columbia, Doherty spent 10 years as the Prince George Airport authority's director of business development and aviation services before departing to join Edmonton International Airport as their director of route development - Asia Pacific.
During his career in Northern British Columbia, he was critical to bringing such initiatives as Westjet to Prince George and building business development and air service opportunities regionally, provincially, nationally, and internationally for the local authority.
Doherty, a board member with the Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club, is an avid community volunteer that has experience with sporting organizations, tourism agencies, and local non-profit organizations. Todd Doherty assumes his new role Dec. 5, 2011.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to my community and become involved in a cause that will effect so many," said Doherty. "I am so proud to join this team and begin preparations to host the nation to our region in 2015."
Leanne Wall has been appointed as the director of finance and controller for the 2015 Canada Winter Games. She is a former high level athlete that has participated in the World Masters Games in Portland, Oregon 1998 (Gold Medal), Edmonton, Alberta 2005, and Sydney Australia 2009 (Bronze Medal), and has won several Western Canadian Championships in competitive women's fastball.
From 2008 to 2010, Wall served as vice president, finance and controller for the record setting 2009 World Police and Fire Games. Prior to that, she was the director of finance and corporate services with St. John Ambulance B.C., a not-for-profit organization with long standing traditions in first aid training and volunteerism where she was involved in implementation and roll-out of key provincial and national initiatives and strategies.
Previous career experience includes several years in finance and accounting within the tourism and travel industries.
Most recently Wall held the a contract position as business analyst, asset management and capital projects for the City of Burnaby, dealing with PSAB 3150 changes to their tangible capital asset recording and reporting. Her new role with the Games began in early November.
"I am excited to have relocated from Vancouver to such a scenic part of the province in support of Canadian amateur sport," said Wall. "Prince George has great facilities, community spirit, and the hospitality to host a remarkable event. I'm honored to be a part of this northern celebration and look forward to fully engaging in the community and region."
Mike Davis has been selected as the director of marketing and communications for the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Davis, a graduate of the University of Northern British Columbia and Timberwolves basketball alumni, has 10 years of private and public sector communications, marketing, and community engagement experience with such organizations as the Prince George Cougars, Prince George Airport Authority, and most recently the City of Prince George.
During his tenure as manager of communications and citizen engagement with the City of Prince George, Davis was a member of the 2015 Canada Winter Games bid secretariat committee, served on the 2015 bid transition team, and acted as interim director of marketing and communications for the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society.
Davis, a product of Richmond, also sits on the board for the Prince George Family YMCA and is a member of the executive committee for the Northern Lights Chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society. Davis will begin his duties on Dec. 12.
"I am truly grateful for this opportunity. I had the honour of working on this project with some outstanding individuals throughout the Bid phase and witnessed how this inspired me, my family, and so many others in our community and region," said Davis. "I believe this event will positively transform our city leaving lasting legacies, while igniting a renewed spirit and pride for all citizens."
"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," said Stuart Ballantyne, CEO for the 2015 Canada Winter Games. "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."
From Feb. 12 to March 1, 2015, Prince George and the region will play host to 2,800 athletes, up to 6,000 volunteers, 1,300 officials, media, medical professionals, and thousands of visitors.
This event will be the largest multi-sporting event to ever be held in Prince George and is projected to create an economic impact of $70 to $90 million while building champions and inspiring dreams amongst youth.
