THUNDER BAY — A successful entrepreneur, born and raised in Honduras, has come to Thunder Bay to lead the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.
Mario Escoto Damas, who was announced as the innovation centre's new executive director on Wednesday, has spent 15 years heading the second generation of his family-owned group of companies.
"We have been expanding businesses to the U.S., Canada, etc., but I have always been trying to get involved with accelerators, incubators and non-profits that support entrepreneurship and innovation during my professional life," Damas said.
He said he enjoys being a mentor and advisor, and believes he has a vocation for service.
"This is something I've been looking for for a long while. I immigrated to Canada through a special program for high-potential entrepreneurs years ago," Damas said.
Most recently, he had been serving as an executive advisor to his family's companies which he said are continuing to grow.
But when he saw the opportunity to start working with new entrepreneurs in Northwestern Ontario, he decided to submit his credentials and won the competition for the job in Thunder Bay.
"I'm really excited about it," he said.
"Definitely we will be focused now on businesses developing new technologies and I.T. and a major priority with giving access to internet services in northern communities ...To have quality internet service is really important for promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. We're really working on that."
Damas said another priority is to attract students to pursue a career in entrepreneurship and to remain in Northwestern Ontario.
"We want to retain talent here in the region and promote to promote the creation of businesses with an innovative approach. That will be our challenge in the following years here."
Damas has spent the last couple of weeks familiarizing himself with the community.
He said he's looking forward to meeting and developing relationships with local stakeholders, adding that it's important to develop strategic partnerships.
"I would definitely like to get in touch with as many organizations as possible, either from the government or from the private sector, to get to know the possibilities of cooperation."
Damas succeeds Kendall Williams, who recently left the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre to pursue another opportunity.
In announcing his appointment, the innovation centre's board of directors described him as a collaborative leader with a proven track record founding and expanding businesses in the technology and manufacturing sectors internationally.
Board chair Colin Kelly said Damas has demonstrated a passion for business and innovation, having worked with different incubators and economic development offices in various capacities.
"His experience with manufacturing and supply-chain logistics will also help serve local businesses and start-ups interested in opportunities within the expanding regional mining sector," Kelly said.
