The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) board announced that Russell Dyson will be the new chief administrative officer (CAO) for the regional district beginning May 15, 2017. The regional district has been searching for the right candidate since last summer to replace Debra Oakman. Debra Oakman has been leading the organization as the chief administrative officer since 2008 and will retire later this spring.
Russell Dyson has 30 years of local government experience. Prior to Russell’s role as CAO of the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District, he occupied senior management positions with the City of Port Alberni and Lantzville Improvement District. He worked as a planner for the Comox Strathcona Regional District in the late 1980s.
Russell is honoured by the selection of the board and is looking forward to serve the Comox Valley, working with the team of exceptional staff at the CVRD.
“The CVRD is pleased to welcome Russell Dyson as our new chief administrative officer,” states CVRD board chair Jolliffe. “Russell brings both the wealth of experience and the leadership qualities the CVRD will need to ensure its continued success in the delivery of its many projects and services.”
Debra Oakman has been working within regional government since 1994. Her dedication and hard work moved her through the Comox Strathcona Regional District from deputy treasurer to manager of financial services and general manager of corporate services before becoming the CAO in 2008 when she was instrumental in ensuring the interests of our region were considered during the restructure in 2008. Debra has effectively led the organization and region during this past decade and worked with the CVRD board to ensure a succession plan was in place for a new CAO to lead the organization into the next decade.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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