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Brad McRae appointed Chief Operations Officer

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed September 1, 2016 1:45 PM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo has hired Brad McRae to fill the newly created position of Chief Operations Officer (COO). Mr. McRae, who previously served two BC communities as their Chief Administrative Officer (District of Lantzville and District of Lillooet), will provide executive leadership for the operational departments of Public Works, Engineering, Fire/Emergency Management and Facilities. He is scheduled to begin his new role during the first week of October.

Link to Strategic Plan: Governance Renewal - this priority guides Council and staff in renewing the City’s capacity to effectively and efficiently serve the residents of our community.

Key Points

  • The introduction of the COO position supports the phased and integrated approach to organizational restructuring which the City began undertaking in June 2016 as it prepares to implement recommendations outlined in the recently completed Core Services Review.
  • With City operations representing a notable focus area in the Core Service Review's Final Report, Mr. McRae will oversee the implementation of many of the forthcoming recommendations to be approved by Council.
  • Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the COO position was created following an examination of the City's management needs in conjunction with efforts to fill vacant positions. With the installation of the COO, the position of Director of Engineering and Public Works was eliminated.

Quotes

"The decision to add a Chief Operations Officer to our City staff is well timed. With Council priorities now identified and Core Service Review recommendations to consider, we face a busy period ahead. As part of our evolving corporate structure, a COO will work alongside our Chief Financial Officer and provide support for our CAO as we move forward with City business."

Ian Thorpe
Councillor
City of Nanaimo

"I am pleased to announce that Mr. McRae has joined the City of Nanaimo in the role of Chief Operations Officer. His past leadership in senior municipal positions, combined with his knowledge of administrative operations, policy development, regional issues and local interests, is of great value to Council and staff as our organization makes the critical shift from setting priorities to completing priorities and from considering recommendations to implementing recommendations."

Tracy Samra
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Nanaimo

"Lantzville Council appreciates that Mr. McRae was willing to step up and help Lantzville move forward strategically at a challenging time for our community. Personally, working with Mr. McRae for the past year has been very enjoyable and productive and I wish Brad all the best in his new role at the City of Nanaimo."

Colin Haime
Mayor
District of Lantzville

"My only consolation in losing Brad McRae as Lantzville's CAO is that the citizens of Nanaimo will be inheriting a top flight individual to move the City's agenda ahead in a positive manner. Brad is a very hands on administrator who brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to his job. He has played an integral role in helping Lantzville Council to accomplish its strategic plan and has done so in a non-biased and professional manner. It has been a real pleasure working with Brad and wish him the best in his new duties."

Will Geselbracht
Councillor
District of Lantzville

"I am looking forward to working closely with the CAO, her leadership team and all staff to implement the recommendations Council is currently considering from the Core Services Review. It's an exciting time to have joined the City of Nanaimo as steps are initiated to operationalize the vision and priorities Council has set."

Brad McRae
Chief Operations Officer
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • Mr. McRae's previous employment includes positions with the District of Lantzville (Chief Administrative Officer), District of Lillooet (Chief Administrative Officer) and the City of North Vancouver (Manager, Bylaw Services).
  • During his most recent appointment as CAO with the District of Lantzville, Mr McRae initiated an updated Official Community Plan, Water Master Plan, Economic Development Strategy, Financial Review and Community Communications Strategy.
  • His educational background includes a Master of Criminal Justice from the University of the Fraser Valley and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Victoria.

Attachments

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Contact:

Tracy Samra
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4401

Print News Release

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