SASKATOONEXPRESS - September 22-28, 2014 - Page 1
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Volume 11, Issue 37, Week of September 22, 2014
Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
Dream Job
SREDA perfect fit for new CEO After three career-building positions in business development, Alex L. Fallon landed SREDA’s top job — and couldn’t be happier (Photo by Joanne Paulson)
Joanne Paulson Saskatoon Express lex L. Fallon has been preparing for this job ever since he was 13 years old. It was then that the new president and CEO of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) moved with his family from Saskatoon to the United Kingdom. It was hard to leave his friends, but Fallon quickly found his new life fascinating — and direction-setting. “I was amazed that people had never heard of Saskatoon, never heard of Saskatchewan back then,” said Fallon in an interview a week after he took on his new position.
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CP901242.I22 Chenise
“(I thought) one day I’m going to promote Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. My goal was basically to move back to Saskatoon and work for big companies like Cameco (Corp.) and the Government of Saskatchewan.” He did, of course, return, but by then he was armed with two degrees from U.K. universities — one in commerce and one in law. After three career-building positions in business development, he has landed SREDA’s top job and hit the ground running on Sept. 10. In his first week, he attended his first board meeting, gave presentations, met with staff and investors, took time for an interview and — perhaps a little icing on the
cake — had lunch with Prince Edward. On top of his new SREDA job, Fallon is also British Honorary Consul to the Province of Saskatchewan, the first in the province’s history. “I saw this (SREDA position) as a dream job for me, and a perfect fit,” said Fallon. He has 15 years of international business economic development experience, serving as marketing manager for Cameco, director of investment attraction for Saskatchewan’s Ministry of the Economy, and vice-president, investment attraction and managing director (Saskatchewan) for Rainmaker Global Business Development. With the province, Fallon promoted Saskatchewan around the globe — attracting
foreign investment from China, India, the United States, the U.K. and Europe as part of the government’s plan to develop investment trade links around the world. “The SREDA position is similar to that. It’s about promoting Saskatoon and region, bringing in business, helping the economy grow, developing relationships, marketing. “I was excited to put my name in the hat and even more delighted when I was given the opportunity to accept the offer.” Along with Fallon’s appointment, Jim George was named the new chief operating officer for SREDA. George had been running SREDA while it searched for a new CEO. (Continued on page 4)
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