New Regional Economic Development Agency for Greater Saint John Names Paulette Hicks as CEO
SAINT JOHN—The new Regional Economic Development Agency for Greater Saint John today announced that, after a national search process conducted by an executive recruitment firm, Paulette Hicks has been named the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer. Hicks is well known in New Brunswick business circles, is an active community volunteer and comes to the role from the position of General Manager of the Delta Hotel in Saint John.
The new Regional Economic Development Agency for Greater Saint John brings together the former Discover Saint John, Develop Saint John and Economic Development Greater Saint John, and population growth, into one coordinated and collaborative agency focused on growth in the Greater Saint John region. Hicks will lead a talented team of professionals in the new agency, which has support and funding from St. Martins, Hampton, Quispamsis, Rothesay, Grand-Bay Westfield and Saint John, as well as private-sector stakeholders and the Government of New Brunswick.
“Paulette Hicks is an outstanding choice as the first CEO of Greater Saint John’s new regional growth agency,” said Cynthia Goodwin, Chair of the Board of Directors. “She is a bold thinker who knows this community well from her many years in business and as a leading volunteer with many groups including the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI), Living Saint John and the Saint John Airport. Her work as President of the Saint John Hotel Association and on the boards of both Discover Saint John and Enterprise Saint John make her uniquely qualified to lead this new agency.”
Formally launched on January 1, 2021, this new agency brings a regional model to growth and will focus on economic development, people attraction and tourism in a single organization with one leader, one board, one mandate and one budget. The transition into the new organization will take place over the coming months, including a new organizational structure and new brand. The naming of the new agency’s first CEO is a critical milestone in the transition process.
“I am honoured to take the helm of the Greater Saint John region’s new growth agency. This community has so much to offer and we are going to tell its story to the world to attract more investment, tourists and residents,” said Paulette Hicks. “The new organization reflects a strong commitment to regional cooperation – this will be a truly regional growth agency. I know we have a very strong and talented team of professionals. I look forward to collaborating with the staff, the municipalities, the private sector and the provincial and federal governments to help the Saint John region realize its true potential.”
Hicks will begin her role as CEO of the new agency on February 8, 2021.
About the Regional Economic Development Agency for Greater Saint John
Officially launched on January 1, 2021, the Regional Economic Development Agency for Greater Saint John brings together the former Discover Saint John, Develop Saint John and Economic Development Greater Saint John, and population growth, into one central organization with a single leader, board, budget and mandate. Supported by the region’s municipalities, the provincial government and the private sector, the new agency is focused on driving growth in the region by attracting investment, tourists and new residents.
