YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce has found its new man, or at least half of him.

Alexander Gresl is the new general manager for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and he's also been named executive director of the NWT Chamber of Commerce.

Alexander Gresl has been hired as the new general manager of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. Gresl, originally from Inuvik, also takes on a dual role as the NWT Chamber of Commerce's executive director. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

The dual nature of his post is something new, as both jobs had been historically filled by two individuals, but Gresl said he is up to the challenge.

"I've set the bar high. I want things to run smoothly with the day to day operations of both chambers," he said.

The new general manager has 10 years of business experience in both the public and private sectors, he said.

That includes work with contract tender law, information technology, human resources and business planning.

Along with job experience, the Inuvik-born Gresl said has learned a lot from his father, Larry Gresl.

"The best education has been from my father, who taught me about teamwork and a quality management style," he said.

The Yellowknife Chamber's board of directors and its members will continue to set the tone and direction and Gresl will follow that lead, he said.

That includes organizing Yellowknife's Greatest Indoor Trade-Show, running special luncheons and after-hours chamber events, he said.

The role of general manager also involves analyzing government policy, taxation and legislation issues affecting chamber members, he said.

Gresl said he is also hoping to use his Metis heritage to help Aboriginal businesses and organizations continue to make strides in the North.

Having a general manager with an aboriginal background should help the Yellowknife Chamber make inroads with Aboriginal businesses and organizations, said Jim Eirikson, the group's president.

"Aboriginal organizations do a lot of business and we hope to open up more dialogue with those groups," he said.

With the hiring of Gresl, the Yellowknife Chamber will be represented well, he added.

"We're very optimistic that it will work out fine for a long period of time," he said.