Executive Director Gary MacIsaac has notified the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Executive Board of his intention to retire following the UBCM Convention in September.
Mr. MacIsaac has served as UBCM’s Executive Director since 2007. During his tenure, he has worked with 18 presidents and successive Executive Boards, providing trusted leadership and counsel through a period of significant change and growth for local governments across British Columbia.
“Gary has provided exceptional advice and guidance to a generation of local government leaders who have served on UBCM’s Executive,” said UBCM President Cori Ramsay. “The role of Executive Director requires a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy, strategic insight, and wisdom. Gary has delivered well beyond expectations throughout his tenure, and his contributions to UBCM and its members have been profound. He will be deeply missed.”
UBCM has benefited from remarkable continuity in senior leadership, having had only four Executive Directors – Theo Adams, Jeff McElvey, Richard Taylor, and Gary MacIsaac – over the past 72 years.
“It has been a real pleasure to serve as UBCM’s Executive Director over these past years,” said MacIsaac. “The local elected leaders who have served on the board through this time have been deeply committed to the well-being of B.C.’s communities. I have also benefited enormously from a dedicated staff that bring a high level of energy and focus to UBCM’s work. I wish the hiring committee every success as they embark on the search process.”
The UBCM Executive Board has established a hiring committee to oversee the search for Mr. MacIsaac’s successor. President Cori Ramsay will chair the committee, joined by:
- Councillor Jenna Stoner (Squamish), First Vice-President
- Mayor Sarrah Storey (Fraser Lake), Second Vice-President
- Councillor Aimee Grice (Oliver), Third Vice-President
- Councillor Craig Hodge (Coquitlam), Metro Vancouver Representative
- Councillor Gord Klassen (Fort St. John), Director-at-Large
- Councillor Louise Wallace Richmond (Salmon Arm), SILGA representative
The hiring committee has engaged Boyden to conduct a Canada-wide executive search. Details of the position posting will be shared on UBCM’s website in the coming weeks.