Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership selects new leader

The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has hired a new CEO to replace George Mallay, who retired on June 30.

The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has hired a new CEO to replace George Mallay, who retired on June 30.

Stephen Thompson is coming to the economic development agency later this summer after completing a four-year stint as Ontario’s senior representative in the Western U.S.

Thompson has also been a director of economic development and tourism in Port Colborne, Ont., an investment lead for the provincial government in the bio-product sector, and business development officer of the Niagara Economic & Tourism Corporation.

“Sarnia-Lambton is very fortunate to have attracted a candidate such as Stephen, who carries with him a wealth of experience and accomplishments at the local, regional, and provincial levels,” said board chair Bruce Hein.

SLEP is a private-public partnership that promotes economic activity in Sarnia-Lambton.

Mallay, its general manager since 1996, was a champion of diversification who among other things helped establish the Western Research Park in Sarnia.