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Sadie Perron will serve as the interim CEO of Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB) as the agency takes on a new role in growing the economy.
Perron will replace outgoing director Stephen Lund, effective March 1. The appointment is part of a wave of new deputy ministers and CEOs announced on Tuesday by the provincial government.
Premier Blaine Higgs shared Lund’s departure during his State of the Province Address on January 30. The speech outlined a new direction for ONB, including attracting business in cybersecurity, digital health and energy innovation.
Perron will serve as deputy minister of Economic Development and Small Business. She was previously assistant deputy minister in the departments of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, and Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.
Perron is currently the acting vice-president of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and vice-president of Regional Development Corporation. She has worked several years in community economic development at the local level.
RELATED: Stephen Lund Leaving His Post As CEO Of Opportunities NB
Higgs told Huddle in late January the focus for the next ONB leader will be collaborating with other government departments.
The appointment comes as the province prepares to open new offices in India and Europe, which will work to increase exports and attract international talent and investments.
The outgoing CEO was chosen under the previous Liberal government in 2015. Originally from Saint John, Lund had 30 years of experience in finance and economic development before taking the post.
The government has not announced a timeline for selecting a permanent replacement.
RELATED: Premier Calls For A ‘New’ New Brunswick In State Of Province Address
A version of this story was published in Huddle, an online business news publication based in Saint John. Huddle is an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
