Thunder Bay chamber head resigns.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: NEWS

Mary Long-Irwin, a prominent face and vocal supporter of Thunder Bay's business community, is stepping down as president of the city's chamber of commerce.

Her resignation becomes effective June 30.

For nine years, she has been a staunch economic development advocate in directing government attention toward forestry, manufacturing and helping to secure coach contracts for the local Bombardier plant.

No replacement has been named.

She briefly resigned as head of the 1,100-member chamber in 2007 in an unsuccessful bid to land the federal Liberal seat for the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding.

Long-Irwin said she needs a "change of scenery" and insists she's not running again.

Her plans are to take the summer off to visit relatives in Europe before weighing some job offers that have come forward recently. They range from working in the mining sector to consulting.

"It's the right thing to do and if I want to move into something else, I have to give it my ful-time attention."

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, she was a successful local retailer in opening Microwave World in the 1980s. She moved on to positions as a small business adviser with Confederation College's Northwest Enterprise Centre and then to a general manager's job with the Superior North Community Development Corp. in Terrace Bay.

Long-Irwin said she's enjoyed working with various government ministers, community and business leaders "to get things done" and get more...