For Tony LaMantia, 2025 marks a bittersweet milestone. This year, the organization he helped build from scratch will celebrate its 10th anniversary. It’s also his last year as President and CEO.
It’s the end of an era for Waterloo EDC as Tony LaMantia, the organization’s President and CEO since its inception in 2015, prepares to step down from the role at the end of this year.
“This is a long-planned change,” says LaMantia. “But I’ll admit that leaving comes with mixed emotions. It has been a labour of love for the last decade.”
A search for his replacement starts today, with strong experience in organizational leadership and management, government relations and business growth, investment and expansion at the top of the wish list for a new candidate.
Details about the role can be found here.
Whoever Waterloo EDC hires, they’ll have big shoes to fill.
A billion dollar legacy
LaMantia has overseen an organization that has not only grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade but has delivered real results for the community.
In the first nine years of its existence, Waterloo EDC has landed more than $2B in new investment to the community – supporting the expansions of well-known companies like Toyota, EPAM Systems, Bosch/ETAS and Westinghouse. These investments have created more than 5,200 new jobs and retained countless others.
“Not only have we hit targets each year – we’ve brought in what I call ‘good’ investment,” says LaMantia. “Those are investments that support our existing ecosystem and constitute a good fit for our strengths, especially talent.”
Other successes include playing a key role in the creation of BESTWR – an organization that advocated on behalf of the local business community during the COVID-19 pandemic – and steadfast support of community organizations like the United Way.
A busy final year
Just because it’s his last year doesn’t mean LaMantia is planning on slowing down.
“There’s a lot to do – many potential investments on the horizon and opportunities to improve investment-readiness in our community. We still need to work toward securing more industrial land. We need to put a focus on preparing for our projected population growth – things like One Million Ready – and put an even greater focus on collaboration.”
There are also external factors that are poised to make 2025 a challenging year.
“A Trump presidency, potential tariffs, potential federal and provincial elections, ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East are going to create a lot of uncertainty this year,” says LaMantia. “It’s our job to deliver results for Waterloo Region, and help the community navigate these challenging economic times. The Waterloo EDC investment pipeline is healthy as we enter 2025, so I expect this to be a great year despite the Trump factor.”
Passing the torch
While he’s reluctant to leave an organization that means so much to him, LaMantia is excited to see what a new leader can bring to Waterloo EDC.
“It’s a really cool job and the organization is primed for success. I feel like I’m handing over the keys to a tuned-up Lamborghini,” says LaMantia. “It’s my opinion that Waterloo Region’s best years are ahead of it, too. The next CEO gets to help build that future.”
The plan is to hire someone before LaMantia’s term ends with the objective of making a smooth transition.
“I don’t want anyone to think I’m about to disappear, either. I’ll always have time to help Waterloo EDC and Waterloo Region.”
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