Robert Quibell, Executive Director, Innovation Central Society – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Forestry and pipelines.

For some, that’s what spring to mind when they think of Prince George.

But that’s a perception the new executive director at the Innovation Central Society hopes to change.

“I really want to change that and we are,” says Robert Quibell.

“We have a venture capitalist who comes into Prince George who says we have 12 programmers here, really high quality one’s who could go anywhere in the world but they’re here and they want to build a business here because of the lifestyle.”

His background includes a degree in Kinesiology (SFU) and says he’s always had a nose for business noting he “used to sit there and drive the professors nuts because I’d always ask how can we make money with this?”

Quibell says that’s led him to a varied career including a job with Able Auctions which eventually sold for $100 million dollars (though he left the year before the sale).

Since then he’s worked for such places as BC Assessment, the City of Prince George, and a local marketing company but says he’s found his “dream job” now that his mandate is to help entrepreneurs who’ve got high tech ideas grow their businesses.

“We’re looking for technology or innovation that will help sell and grow their business. Our mandate is to help guide them through the process. I’m totally a connector. My job is to find the people who need help and give them coaching.”