SCRD names Dean McKinley as new chief administrator

After an eight-month search, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board has tapped Dean McKinley as permanent chief administrative officer (CAO).

McKinley, who has been serving as CAO at the District of Mackenzie for the past three years, will start Jan. 6. Interim CAO Mark Brown will continue at the SCRD until then.

“Members of the board and staff look forward to welcoming Mr. McKinley to the SCRD,” SCRD chair Lori Pratt said in a release. “We have been incredibly honoured to have Mark Brown as interim CAO and would like to thank him for his stellar leadership and commitment that have helped drive the board’s priorities forward.”

Prior to his role as CAO with the District of Mackenzie, McKinley was economic development director for the Northern Development Initiative Trust, an independent, not-for-profit economic development funding corporation for central and northern B.C.

Over his nine-year term, he served as a point of contact for CAOs across 50 local governments, developed an internship program, and distributed more than $14 million in Northern Development funding and $85 million from other funding sources, according to the release.

“During the recruitment process for the new CAO, the board’s priority was to ensure alignment with our new strategic plan,” Pratt said. “The board and I are very pleased with the experience and skills Mr. McKinley brings to the position, and we are excited to welcome him to our community."

McKinley has also worked as a management consultant and held management roles with the province, including as recreation manager, ambulance unit chief and commercial recreation manager with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

He has a master’s certificate in project management from the University of Northern B.C., a local government administration certificate and has taken courses in finance administration for government leaders, conflict resolution, negotiations and communications and has paramedic training. 

“I am very excited for this amazing opportunity to join a dedicated team of board members and staff at the SCRD,” McKinley said.

The SCRD board started its search for a permanent CAO after Janette Loveys stepped down last March to pursue a position in Ontario. Chief legislative officer Angie Legault served as the interim CAO until leaving the SCRD in July for Cowichan Valley Regional District, where she was hired as a corporate officer. Brown has been serving since her departure.