Bruce Strapp retires from Heritage Fund post: Alberta-born Strapp went from mining supplier to leading regional development fund.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: NEWS

Bruce Strapp is entering a new chapter of his life. The avuncular executive director of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) is stepping down after eight years. May 5 is his final day on the job.

"They always say retire in the spring, then you can go to the cottage and do the things you want to do," said the 60-year-old Sault Ste. Marie resident.

"Basically, I want to look at doing something different," said Strapp in explaining what factored into his decision.

Heading into a June provincial election, Strapp said the timing is right, though party politics didn't play a part into his decision at all.

Post-election, he said, it's always commonplace for the government to appoint a new minister to oversee the Crown agency. His remaining weeks will be spent working with NOHFC staff and his successor through a transition period leading up to the changeover.

The son of a United Church minister, the Alberta-born Strapp got into economic development in 1985 after running an expediting business that serviced the Red Lake mining camp.

He spent five years as executive director of the Red Lake District Economic Development Corporation before moving to spend two years heading up the Timmins Economic Development Corporation. By 1992, he was CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation, where he would spend the next 18 years.

In 2010, Strapp received the Joseph Montgomery Economic Development Achievement Award his profession's highest--from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDAC).

Strapp admitted it was an eye-opener to take on the responsibility at NOHFC of being accountable for a $100-million budget for the region and seeing that it's spent wisely.

"You're on the chase and you have a real responsibility to try and drive new investment."

Over eight years at NOHFC, Strapp feels he's helped push the "digital envelope" in doing things more effectively and efficiently. The programming is more reflective of community and private sector needs, and he's excited by the new branding and web platform they launched in February.

"One of the things we wanted to do was showcase some of the success stories in a more visual way."

As to any personal signature accomplishments in his career, Strapp said it's difficult to pick out any given the sheer volume of deals and billions of dollars invested.

Strapp said he values the genuine relationships he's made and been inspired by the "extremely dynamic" members of the NOHFC board.

"It's really...