He’s been walking the walk since April as interim president & CEO of Trade Centre Limited, but Scott Ferguson can now strip the “interim” part from his title, as he officially fills the shoes of former crown corporation boss Fred MacGillivray.
MacGillivray retired from his prestigious position in March, with executive vice-president Ferguson stepping up to try the role on for size until a suitable replacement could be found. But Trade Centre Limited announced yesterday that Ferguson beat out more than 100 other candidates to snag the three-year contract himself.
“We interviewed the top seven that they brought back to us,” George Moody, acting chairman of the corporation’s board of directors, said yesterday. “And then we re-interviewed the top two, of which Scott was one, and the selection committee clearly recommended him.”
“We’re fortunate . . . to have someone with Scott’s ability actually get the job,” Moody said.
A Trade Centre Limited news release says Ferguson “has played a key role in attracting major events and concerts” to the city and the province, helping ensure about $2.5 billion in economic spin-offs over the past 15 years.
Ferguson said he hopes to continue bringing in “a cross-section” of concerts and other events, while also supporting the Metro Centre’s major tenants, the Halifax Mooseheads and the Halifax Rainmen, and trying to attract “those annual big-time events,” such as the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier coming in March for curling fans.
“We’re at the apex of our confidence and our focus and our reputation,” he said of Trade Centre Limited. “I look to continue what we’re doing, but in an even bigger way.”
Ferguson said “the biggest priority” for the corporation is getting the municipality’s new convention centre up and running. “Infrastructure is our most important need right now.”
