The outgoing Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council is reflecting on a 20-year career with the organization.

Richard Alexander will be leaving the council in mid-May, having taken a position with Restaurants Canada.

Alexander believes the organization is in good hands moving forward, noting it’s in a “very strong place” right now.

When he took over, Alexander says their membership wanted the council to get back to being a strong advocate for growing the economy and employment.

He says they have worked hard over the last 15 years to educate people on issues facing the province, such as government spending.

As well, he says they had success around workers compensation “which is not the sexiest issue,” jokes Alexander, but he says it has a huge impact on jobs and the economy. He explains that employers were paying the highest premiums in Canada for 20 years and they were able to bring that down to competitive levels, which has resulted in people being employed today.