The Saint John region’s growth agency has appointed its interim CEO.

Andrew Beckett will serve in the role at Envision Saint John for the next year.

Beckett brings a lot of experience to the position, according to board chair Al Walker.

“Andrew is very much the candidate that you can imagine is plug and play. He knows the players, he knows a lot of the files, he knows the region,” Walker said in an interview.

“He’s just the right person that’s going to enable the team to march forward and deliver on the great projects of growth and development and visitor attraction in the Saint John area.”

Beckett is not originally from Saint John, but he previously served as the city’s finance commissioner and deputy city manager.

Most recently, he was the vice president of finance administration at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S.

“I view this position with Envision Saint John as a unique opportunity to reconnect with the community and to provide leadership in an area of significant importance to the region’s future,” Beckett said in a news release.

Beckett will be filling in for CEO Paulette Hicks, who is currently off on medical leave, said Walker.

Vice-presidents Heather Libbey and Jillian MacKinnon have served as acting co-CEOs since February.

“They did a wonderful job until we figured things out and had a chance to recruit someone who could step in with the experience and energy and drive that we needed,” said Walker.

“They’re looking forward to getting back to their day jobs, as they call it, and working with Andrew to drive some great results for the region.”

Al Walker is the board chair of Envision Saint John. Image: Submitted