The new executive director for the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce brings a diverse background.
He is currently the managing director of Pacific Business Intelligence Ltd. (PBI) an international business consulting firm that has undertaken assignments in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East and the Caribbean for private industry, governments and international organizations.
“The response to our call for a new executive director was overwhelmingly strong,” said John Treleaven, chamber president. “After careful consideration, the board is pleased to announce their selection of long-time Saanich-Peninsula resident Doug Taylor, as the new executive director.”
Current executive director Eileen Leddy finishes work June 15; Taylor assumes the role on June 16.
During a hiatus from his consulting practice, Taylor was the chief executive officer of the Vancouver Island Advanced Technology Centre a member-driven organization whose mandate is to assist in the development of the advanced technology industry on Vancouver Island.
In addition to operating his consulting practice Taylor is an adjunct professor in the Business Faculty at the University of Victoria. He has been on the board of directors for the Wise Energy Cooperative, the Entrepreneurial Learning Foundation, the Camosun College Foundation Board, the Vancouver Island Advanced Technology Centre, the Greater Victoria Film Commission and the BC Biotech Alliance. He was the founding chair of the Greater Victoria Enterprise Partnership, and the International Science & Technology Committee for the Science Council of British Columbia. Taylor holds a B.A. in economics from Dalhousie University in Canada, an M.Sc. in public international law from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and a diploma from the Canadian Securities Institute.
Leddy, who tendered her resignation in April, has worked for the chamber since 2006.
“The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has gone through many changes over the years,” Treleaven said. “A large part of the chamber’s growth and success over the last six years has been due to the commitment and professionalism of Eileen Leddy. She has brought the organization to where it is today. It is only with the foundation that she has established, that the chamber and its over 500 members can move forward into the exciting times ahead.”
“It’s been five years of intense activity with the chamber — and I’ve enjoyed every minute,” Leddy said. “But now I’m going to putter in my garden, grow some tomatoes — and stop to smell the roses — catch up on reading, and reacquaint myself with the domestic arts.”
She’ll take some time, then reassess where life takes her as far as retirement, or return to the workforce.
The chamber will honour Leddy with a reception on June 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sidney Pier Hotel. Taylor will be formally introduced at the chamber’s annual general meeting on June 17.