Paul Thorkelsson, Regional District of Nanaimo chief administrative officer, will step down effective Dec. 9 to take over the same post at the District of Saanich.
CAO Paul Thorkelsson to leave the RDN after nine years. https://t.co/5rjHARMtmm
— RDN (@RDNanaimo) November 18, 2015
Thorkelsson was elevated to Nanaimo regional district's top executive position in 2012, after previously serving as its general manager of strategic and community development – in all, he was with the district nine years.
Amongst the initiatives he oversaw during his tenure, an operational and efficiency review, a comprehensive review and adoption of a new regional growth strategy, a pair of official community plan reviews and updates, as well as a green building policy.
Thorkelsson said the Regional District of Nanaimo was an amazaing organization to work for, with a management and staff team that is, in his opinion, second to none.
“I don't think the community always recognizes what it is the RDN does and the great work that it continues to do and will continue to do in the interests of the community, which is in no small part, the direct result of the quality and dedication of the people that work here.
“I don't leave this group without significant difficulty,” said Thorkelsson.
Thorkelsson is expected to begin his new job in January, according a press release on the District of Saanich website.
The Regional District of Nanaimo will announce a succession plan in the near future.