Sandra Pupatello after 1 year as economic development CEO

Sandra Pupatello came to the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation with a resume a mile long and great expectations.

CBC Windsor's municipal affairs expert, Cheryl Collier, takes a look at Pupatello's record a year after she became CEO.

• Listen to Cheryl Collier's analysis here
• Pupatello new CEO of Economic Development Corp.
• Sandra Pupatello named new Hydro One chair

Collier says it's reasonable to ask whether the appointment, announced by Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis last May, has been good for Windsor.

After unemployment hit a low of 6.9 per cent in January of this year — the lowest in a decade — the city's unemployment rate has climbed steadily and stood at 8.9 per cent in April.

Pupatello also works as director of business development and global markets for  PricewaterhouseCoopers and in April was appointed chair of the board of directors of Hydro One.

Collier wonders whether she is committed enough to Windsor or has to divide her energies too much between her other jobs.

Collier also says it's easy to see that Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation tries to do a lot with what she calls a modest budget. It's mandate is also wide, covering a large area, Collier says.

It is only one player in the mix of working to attract new business to an area that was hit hard by the 2008 recession.

To hear all of Collier's thoughts, click the audio box above.

Cheryl Collier is a professor of political science at the University of Windsor. She can be be heard on the Early Shift with Tony Doucette at 8:14 a.m. on Mondays. Tune in to 97.5 FM or listen live online at www.cbc.ca/windsor.