EAST CENTRAL — With a passion for agriculture and years in the field of finance, Taylor Watt has been selected to be the new CEO of Community Futures NewSask.
Community Futures NewSask is a non-profit business that provides community economic development and specialized services to entrepreneurs through business counseling, loan programs and business information. They have the goal of entrepreneurship in business and communities across the region.
Community Futures NewSask is behind the annual Challenge 4 Communities and the youth business excellence awards.
Before taking the role of CEO, Watt was a lender with Farm Credit Canada for the last seven years.
“I thought it would be a new challenge and opportunity to come and change things up a little bit,” Watt said. “Just kind of do something a little different, similar, but different.”
To him, the similarity is lending money.
“At the end of your day you’re still lending money out to businesses. Over there we were primary to agriculture, but lending money. Here we are lending to different startup businesses, entrepreneurs – trying to help businesses grow and be successful.”
After finishing high school, at 18, Watt took three years off to play with the Melfort Mustangs.
After he was done playing hockey, he went to the University of Saskatchewan.
When he was 24 he received a Commerce degree with a major in finance from the university. After he received his degree he moved back to Melfort.
“I’ve always kind of liked the number side of business and have always been interested in business for quite a while,” Watt said. “I’ve run my own farm on the side, so I’ve been doing that as the sole proprietor for a number of years.”
He plans to continue running his farm as CEO.
“I’m very passionate about agriculture and really enjoy being involved in it. Hopefully these two things can work together and be a good combination.”
As the new CEO he said he hopes to bring a passion towards business.
“I can help educate people and grow with them as they run successful businesses, and help them get started,” Watt said.
Watt was out meeting community members during a meet the CEO event held on June 21.
“We got a great staff here, I’m super excited to be here.”
