About us:
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission is the city’s lead economic development agency and champion for local growth. We use our local knowledge and expertise to promote Thunder Bay as the best small city in Canada to live, work, do business and visit.
We are led by an independent board and are driven by the needs of our community. Our business development team and sector specialists respond quickly to new opportunities to attract visitors, new talent, employment, business development and investment to Thunder Bay.
We are responsible for:
- Entrepreneurial support
- Business development
- Business retention and expansion
- Exporting advice
- Collection and assessment of key business data
- Community Marketing
- Tourism promotion
- Investment attraction
Our Mission:
To grow prosperity, population and profile through partnership, knowledge and resources in support of our community and development ecosystem..
Our Vision:
To nurture Small city character, welcoming community and love of locale with big city opportunities to grow, thrive and bring aspirations to life for all.
Our Values:
- Partnership-based
- Inclusive
- Innovative
- Professional
- Integrity
Within our office you will also find:
Members of the Board
Peter Marchl (Chair)
Peter brings an established background in finance, solid business and entrepreneurial sense, and years of experience in volunteering and community engagement to the CEDC Board of Directors. Peter is an investment advisor and partner at Normaxx Financial. He is also the Past President for SHIFT Thunder Bay’s Young Professionals Network and is an active member of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. He has also held a position on the City of Thunder Bay Audit Committee and belongs to the Thunder Bay Yacht Club.
Barry Streib (Vice Chair)
Barry has worked extensively throughout his career in business management, marketing, sales, administration and
communications. Currently Barry serves as a Board Director and Chair of the Governance Committee for the Thunder Bay
Regional Health Sciences Foundation, and sits on the Executive Committee in the role of Secretary. In addition, he is a Past
Chair of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Past President of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of
Commerce (NOACC), and continues to serve as a Senior Advisor on its Executive Committee. Barry is also a Board
Director of Common Voice Northwest.
Rob Frenette (Secretary/Treasurer )
Mr. Rob Frenette, P.Eng is a Consulting Engineer licensed in the Province of Ontario. Rob is past President of TBT Engineering Limited (TBTE), a role he served for over 25 years, and he currently serves in the capacity of Managing Director for TBT Engineering Consulting Group, a company of more than 100 employees. Rob has 30+ years of experience in civil engineering from planning through to contract administration. Rob has a strong background in total project management, construction and road design, surveying, environmental and materials engineering.
Michael Fox
Michael is the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations, capacity building, & social research. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients. He is a Certified Professional Facilitator, a certified Change Management Practitioner, and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. Currently, he is the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Affairs Committee for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada and is the Co-Chair for the Jury Panel for the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. Michael also sits as a Ministerial appointed board member on the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
Michelle Salo
Michelle is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 30 years of experience. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Confederation College where she has been employed since May 2019 starting as the Vice President Finance and Administration. Michelle spent most of her career in the Pulp, Paper, and Personal Care sector where she had the opportunity to serve in many different finance roles from working in the Dryden and Thunder Bay mill to leading a series of acquisitions serving as Vice President of Finance in the global Personal Care division of Domtar in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her strengths are in strategic planning, finance and operations and ongoing dedication to continuous improvement.
Roger Souckey
Roger is the Vice President of HR and ESG with Argonaut Gold. Born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, Roger is an active community member and previously served as an elected official in Marathon Ontario and on various boards. Roger has over 35 years of experience in the mining sector with international expertise, his knowledge will be an invaluable asset to the CEDC Board of Directors.
Council Members
Mayor Ken Boshcoff
Councillor Brian Hamilton
Ex-Officio
Karen Lewis
General Manager, Development & Emergency Services
City of Thunder Bay
Jamie Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Thunder Bay CEDC
