Peterborough Economic Development has announced that Dan Taylor will be leaving the organization as its President and CEO — after four years in the position.
It appears that Taylor made the decision to resign his position. The organization states in a media release that Taylor is leaving to pursue his “entrepreneurial dream” of running his own full-time business and economic development company.
Taylor joined the publicly funded corporation, formerly known as the Greater Peterborough and Area Economic Development Corporation (GPAEDC), in April 2011. He was originally hired as President and CEO of both the GPAEDC and the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster.
In 2013, he left his role at the cluster to focus on his job development work at GPAEDC. Early in his tenure as President and CEO, Taylor had received some criticism from the City and County of Peterborough (the economic development organization’s primary funders) on mixed job creation results.
Prior to joining GPAEDC, Taylor served as economic development officer in Prince Edward County for 10 years, where he was credited for implementing a successful “creative rural economy” strategy. He continued to reside in Picton while working in Peterborough for GPAEDC.
Prior to his position at Prince Edward County, Taylor worked in Toronto for 15 years at global advertising and marketing agencies. He also has his own business, Dan Taylor Inc., which he describes as a “global leader in developing the creative rural economy.”
In a post on his personal blog, Taylor provides details on his new business venture.
“I am leaving Peterborough Economic Development and launching my business back home in Prince Edward County,” he writes. “My business like many today will be focused on my personal brand, my expertise and how I can help people and communities achieve their community and economic development goals. Specifically, I want to help communities and people learn about and access the tools I have used to become successful in community building through an economic development lens.”
The board executive of Peterborough Economic Development is determining when it will fill the vacant position of President and CEO. In the interim, the corporation’s board and senior management will continue to operate the organization, with board chair Peter Gaffney dealing with inquiries.
