Liberals' new executive director: update

Ian McKay's arrival as the new national director was confirmed today in a letter sent out to the party by president Alf Apps. See below. Note too that the job, last held by Rocco Rossi, has now effectively been split in two. McKay will be handling all the party organization and fundraising -- kind of important, given the Liberals' continuing challenges in that area compared to the Conservatives -- is a whole other task. It's said that the Liberals aren't looking strictly for a party person for that job; that they want someone with proven expertise at raking in donations. To be continued.... In the meantime, here's Apps' letter:

On behalf of our Leader Michael Ignatieff and the National Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Ian McKay to the position of National Director of the Liberal Party of Canada. This selection was confirmed by the Board earlier today.

Mr. McKay will officially begin his duties in early March 2010.

A consummate professional with extensive experience in the worlds of business and government, this British Columbian is a fresh face who brings the full range of management and political experience required not only to lead our outstanding team at the National Office, but also to assume responsibility for the management of day-to-day affairs in our Party from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

Ian's track-record in business coupled with his experience at the front lines of our Party as a volunteer, candidate, ministerial advisor, and Party officer, equip him to continue the modernization of our Party's communication and technological infrastructure and give him the tools to drive our membership engagement process.

For more information on our new National Director, please read his bio.

I wish to personally thank the many dedicated and able Liberals who took the time to submit an application through the open selection process conducted by the Party in connection with this vitally important position. The quality of the applicants was a testament to the depth and breadth of talent in our Party.

Moving forward, the National Board of Directors will now focus on filling the position of President of the National Liberal Fund.

We look forward to an equally fruitful process in the weeks to come.

Alfred Apps
President, Liberal Party of Canada

Comments

[Chris]

Lets see, Rocco Achampong is a lawyer, Rocco Rossi had the best hospitality suite! Hmmm, who would you vote for?

[wascally wabbit]

Let us hope that - like Gerard Kennedy (whom Susan reported was Mr. MacKay's choice in the last leadership campaign) - Mr. MacKay listens to the grass roots - some of whom have some excellent ideas for both improved fundraising mechanisms AND two-way communications between leadership and the Grassroots!