Alberni‐Clayoquot Regional District Chief Administrative Officer Russell Dyson has resigned. He has accepted the position of CAO at the Comox Valley Regional District in Courtenay, a larger district.
Leaving the ACRD is bittersweet for Dyson, who was born and raised in the Alberni Valley. He worked for many years with the City of Port Alberni before taking over the CAO job at the regional district six years ago.
“It’s with reservations,” Dyson said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working here in the Alberni Valley with the regional district in particular.”
He said his new position is an opportunity to work with a larger organization “that also has a tremendous community like Port Alberni and a great employee base.”
Since joining as CAO in January 2011, Mr. Dyson has seen the ACRD expand and improved the services provided to local residents, including two landfills, two airports, rural water systems, the Sproat Lake Marine Patrol, three volunteer fire departments, and emergency services.
Most recently, he was a key team leader in Exercise Coastal Response, Western Canada’s first, full‐scale earthquake and tsunami response exercise that took place in the Alberni Valley in June 2016.
Dyson said he’s looking forward to helping the Comox Valley develop a water treatmentplant, a possible $100 million project.
In a statement released to media Thursday morning, Dyson credited much of his success to hard work of the ACRD staff. “It has been a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of staff members; I cannot say enough about their diligence and commitment to the residents of the regional district.”
Board Chair John Jack stated that Dyson’s contributions are significant. “A signature accomplishment during Russell’s tenure as CAO was his successful oversight and guidance for four Maa‐nulth Nations in joining the Alberni‐Clayoquot Regional District as full voting members.”
Vice‐Chair Josie Osborne added, “By working with the board of directors under a shared, regional vision of successful partnerships, sustainable planning and strategic thinking, Russell has helped the regional district deliver exceptional and cost‐effective services. He will be missed.”
Dyson and his family run Coleman Meadows Farm, a small grass fed water buffalo dairy farm, in the Alberni Valley, which he says he will always be involved in.
Because of the farm, Dyson plans to commute to the Comox Valley when he begins his new position in May, but eventually make the move.
Dyson assumes his new duties at the CVRD in May 2017. The ACRD board of directors will announce its transition plan shortly.