The Canada Winter Games host society is actively seeking a chief executive officer.
And John Furlong is not a candidate the job.
The head of the 2010 Winter Olympics won't be returning to Prince George, the city he lived in when he was handed the task of organizing the 1978 Northern B.C. Winter Games.
"Officially, he said 'no,' but everybody always asks me that," said Andrew Everett, chair of the 2015 Canada Winter Games host society.
"[Furlong] did come and meet with us before we were an official board and I know he has had input on some of the candidates. He's helping, but he's not a candidate.
"Odgers Berndtson [hiring agency] has contacted him and he has supplied some input on the type of candidate and the kinds of qualities this individual would have."
The CEO will oversee the organization of the Games in February 2015, which will be the largest sporting event Prince George has ever hosted. The successful candidate will put in place a senior management team of 60 to 80 individuals and will serve as the chief spokesperson of the Games. Other duties include securing funding/sponsorships, supervising the budget, media relations and working with staff in the planning of the Games events.
"This is truly a unique opportunity for an individual to assume leadership responsibilities for the creation and execution of a finely-tuned business plan that delivers the Games with precision, creates opportunities for sponsors, inspires cooperation and collaboration with all levels of government and other stakeholders and instills pride within our community," said Everett.
Everett calls the hiring of the CEO the most important duty the host society has on its plate.
"We're trying to be fiscally responsible with this so we are using the network that's out there with Odgers, and also the network we've created, like when we went to Halifax [for the 2011 Canada Winter Games]," said Everett.
The headhunting search has already gone beyond Canada's borders.
"The list is relatively small within Canada but from what I understand, there are some people involved in the 2012 Olympics in London that they are talking to about this position," Everett said.
"I fully expect, once the CEO is here, and they're able to hire their own team, there will be people who come for the games here who were at at another games previously. The CEO search is not limited to games people, but that is a good place to start."
The CEO's salary is not specified in the document Odgers Berndtson produced, which outlines the specifics of the job, but Everett said it will be in the range of $100,000 to $200,000.
"It really depends on the person," said Everett. "We'll talk more about the nitty-gritty when there's a short list."
While there is no deadline when the position has to be filled, Everett is hoping to have that short list by May, with a decision made by June at the earliest.
"That might be optimistic, because it's very important we get the right person," she said. "Time is of the essence, but we have to get this right.
"One of the key things that's so different for this community is this is an organization of 60 to 80 people that will open its doors and close its doors within a five-year period. It's like an instant corporation that all begins with solid leadership."
