The search is over, and the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director.
Chamber president Andrew Hopkins confirmed Monday that the chamber has hired Cori-Lynn Germiquet to take over, while current executive director David Brennan prepares to step down.
Hopkins said Germiquet's skills and experience in running other chambers in Western Canada, work in the non-profit sector, strategic planning, small business management and economic development made her ideal.
"We interviewed her, and, at the same time, she interviewed us," Hopkins said. "She's very dynamic - very outspoken. I think, long-term, she's going to be the ideal person that we're looking for."
Previously, Germiquet served as the executive director of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, manager of policy and advocacy for the Red Deer Chamber or Commerce and general manager of the Powell River Chamber of Commerce.
Hopkins paid tribute to Brennan's work but said Germiquet's hiring bodes well for chamber members and the business community in general for the years to come.
"David has done a very good job running the chamber for the past 10 years. He's taken it from a negative position to a very positive position. I think we're at a point now where we want to take it to another level, and I think she's the ideal candidate for that," he said. "The board is excited, and I think the chamber members will welcome her with open arms."
Germiquet said she is looking forward to transitioning into the job in January and getting started on a new strategic plan for the chamber, starting with pulling together members of the community to help in the development of the plan.
Beyond that, Germiquet said she is excited to apply her passion for business to the Royal City.
"I love to build business. I'm passionate about economic development. I'm also passionate about advocacy and policy and making sure that the businesses have a strong voice, as well as building cooperation with all community partners," she said.
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