The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation bid a fond farewell to long-time employee Peggy Hartman at her May 30 retirement dinner.
Hartman has worked for NEDC more than 18 years, starting on Feb. 14, 1996.
She began her career in banking but took a 17-year break so that she could stay home to raise her children.
Then, she said, the economy became nasty in the 1980s and so Peggy began taking college courses in order to prepare herself for re-entering the work force.
She began working at the Alberni Golf club, eventually taking over as manager. From there she moved to Community Futures where she stayed for seven years before moving on to NEDC. At that time NEDC operated out of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council building and Al Little was just moving into the management position.
Hartman saw the opening of the new NEDC office building in September 1999. She worked as Director of Loans and was the ABC program manager for the Southern Region. In 1998 she was promoted to Assistant Manager at NEDC.
In that time Hartman has been working with first nations individuals to help them launch businesses.
“It’s been so rewarding to help people have their dreams come true,” said Hartman.
She admits there have been hard times for some and when that has happened, her role was to work with the business owners to land as softly as possible.
Hartman says NEDC has helped with loans as small as $750 to those where businesses needing millions of dollars. She is most proud of the Namgis closed containment salmon farm that NEDC worked with for two years. The land-based salmon farm recently had its first harvest and their salmon can now be found in local grocery stores.
Looking to the future, Hartman believes NEDC will be busy with fishermen now that the court case has been settled. She looks forward to NEDC helping fishermen get out on the water again.
“This is such great work that it is hard to retire from,” she said.
While she is sad to leave NEDC, Hartman looks forward to spending time in her garden. She says she will probably come back to the office from time-to-time to do the books.
“NEDC has fantastic opportunities for the future,” Hartman said, adding they have a great staff and a fantastic manager in Al Little.
“I really want to thank the Nuu-chah-nulth people for being so kind to me and allowing me to work with them. I really enjoyed it,” Hartman said.
“NEDC would not have been as successful an organization as it is today without Peggy’s hard work and commitment,” said NEDC Manager Al Little.
“Peggy was an excellent manager, organizer and has very strong people skills,” he continued, adding Peggy always remembered NEDC’s mandate and ensured that it was always reflected in her work.
“I wish Peggy nothing but the best in her retirement, although knowing Peggy she will be even busier than ever. I will especially miss Peggy’s attention to fine detail and her analytical skills,” Little said.
