Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
General Manager, George Mallay, retires after 21 years

“Retiring he may be, but George Mallay was a powerhouse behind the scenes” – J.D. Booth

Mallay spoke with Lambton Shield Editor, J.D. Booth, reflecting about what’s been accomplished, how his background may have shaped the success enjoyed and what may be next for him as he gets ready for the next chapter of his professional life. Listen to the full 27-minute interview here. 

To commemorate the occasion, George allowed staff to conduct a quick informal exit interview about his experience with SLEP and moving to Sarnia-Lambton 21 years ago:

1. Tell me how you first got hired/recruited to this position in 1996- I was interested in living in Sarnia-Lambton based on the affordable cost of living, access to other cities, abundance of golf courses, and the overall livability of the region.
2. What was your first impression of Sarnia-Lambton?- I was impressed with how big and beautiful Lake Huron was. 
3. What’s your first memory of Sarnia-Lambton? – Having a “difference of opinions” with a politician.
4. What motivates you? I am motivated by my need for achievement, developing new skills and overcoming challenges.
5. What do you find most challenging about your role as General Manager of SLEP?-The biggest challenge is how many factors are out of our control. For example, government legislation and real estate. 
6. If you could change one thing about Sarnia-Lambton, what would it be? I would reduce the number of municipalities significantly by amalgamating them.
7. What do you wish other people knew about SLEP? – I wish more people had a better understanding of the services we offer.
8. What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about the Economic Development Profession? – It is all found on industry attraction.
9. Tell me about someone who has inspired you? – My parents have inspired me tremendously. They were best friends and encouraged me to do well but also to be honest and to treat others with respect.
10. What do you think will change about Sarnia-Lambton over the next five years? – I believe the local economy will see a wave of investment in the biohybrid chemistry sector.
11. If you weren’t in the economic development field, what would you be doing instead?- I would have come up with a marketing scam of some sort. 
12. What do you do when you aren’t working?- I exercise (I have been a Sharky’s member for many years.) I also read and enjoy sports.

 Stephen Thompson, Ec.D.(F), has been hired to replace George Mallay. Thompson is expected to assume his new role late this summer. We look forward to introducing Stephen Thompson to the community in the Fall. Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Hires New CEO

Matthew Slotwinski, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Business Development Consultant, exhibited at Bio World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology in Montreal from July 23-26, 2017, conducting 31 One-On-One Partnering Meetings with prospective companies.

Lambton College, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership co-hosted the Sarnia-Lambton Bio-Industrial Symposium, June 14, 2017, at the Best Western Guildwood Inn in Point Edward.

David Moody, Project Leader, Business Growth Services, exhibited at the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary from June 13-15, 2017.

Lambton Water Centre (LWC) in partnership with the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park and Sarnia-Lambton Economic PartnershipThe Economic Partnership hosted the Sarnia-Lambton Water Symposium on April 13, 2017.

Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park, Bluewater Power, Lambton College and Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership attended and co-hosted the Energy Symposium, March 23, 2017. Over 100 people attended the full-day event at the Lambton College Event Centre.

Ted Zatylny, Project Leader, Resident Attraction & Creative Industries, exhibited at the Vancouver Zoomer Show, March 11 and 12, 2017.

Chantelle Core, Development Coordinator and Matthew Slotwinski, Business Development Consultant, attended the Economic Developers Council of Ontario’s (EDCO) annual conference. At the conference SLEP received an Honorable Mention for the Discoveries That Matter community brand.

A Sarnia-Lambton Delegation traveled to Taipai, Taiwan, Febuary 3 -11, 2017. The goal of the delegation was to begin to leverage the value of the Intelligent Communities and their connections globally among each other.

George Mallay, General Manager, attended The San Francisco Cleantech Forum, January 23-25, 2017.

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Economic development CEO expected to take over in September
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List of bio-chemical companies coming to Sarnia grows again
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Bioindustrial Innovation Canada Invests in bio-based feedstock company Origin Materials
Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) is pleased to announce that it has made a COMM SCI investment in Origin Materials, Sacramento, California, through BIC’s Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (SCA) investment fund, as part of an investment round that will see Origin construct its first commercial scale demonstration facility in Sarnia by late 2018.

Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership leader set to retire
George Mallay is just weeks from retirement but he hasn’t stopped thinking about new ways to attract jobs to Sarnia-Lambton.

 
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