Gil Mathew, the man selected to take over the reins at the Nevada County Economic Resource Council, said the area offers a quality of life many California business leaders are hungry for.

"We have the greatest banquet in the world for attracting business. I think the ERC needs to capitalize on the desire to move" to Nevada County, Mathew said.

Mathew, who has years of sales, economic, accounting and engineering background, will step into his position as CEO and president of the ERC at the first of the year, replacing Chuck Neeley.

Proximity to winter resorts and other recreational outlets, quality schools and low crime rates can draw business owners tired of city life, traffic and drug-infested schools, Mathew said.

Intercepting businesses who are considering relocating to another state to avoid stiff regulations will also keep Nevada County viable, Mathew said.



Started with one partner

Mathew, who turns 66 on Saturday, first came to Nevada County from Southern California more than 20 years ago. He started a garage company, Benchmark Thermal, in 1985 with one partner.

The company that manufactures industrial heating elements for medical instruments and aircraft galleys had blossomed into a $3.5-million international export business by the time he sold it in 2006. Earlier this year, the ERC featured Benchmark Thermal on its economic tour as a model of export manufacturing.

Mathew's experience doing business in Nevada County and his four years on the ERC board, including his stint as chairman in 2006, give him the edge on leadership needed to bring up fledgling enterprises, Mathew said.

"I was the proverbial guy in the garage that built a 60-person company. I've been there," said Mathew.

Attracting digital and data based businesses that rely on telecommuting will best suit the county in coming years, Mathew said. Activities such as engineering, research and development and graphic art can all be done from a computer stationed at home, as long as the broadband infrastructure is in place.

Mathew created the bus tour of Nevada City that highlights the prolific and sometimes obscure high tech industry that thrives here.

"I love doing those kinds of things," Mathew said.

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To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.