News release
For immediate release
Esquimalt, B.C.—After over 30 years in local government, and 18 years at the Township of Esquimalt, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Laurie Hurst has announced she will be retiring in the fall of 2022.
Prior to working with the Township, Laurie achieved numerous successes in several senior finance roles, including positions at the CRD, Town of View Royal and the District of Sooke. Ms. Hurst joined the Township in 2004 by taking a lateral move to the position of Director of Finance, before being promoted to the CAO role.
During her 14-year tenure as the CAO, Ms. Hurst guided the Township though several significant milestones, including negotiating terms for the $17M Mcloughlin Amenity Funds agreement with the CRD that resulted in the forthcoming Public Safety Building and the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion. The Esquimalt Town Square project also came to pass under her leadership—a project that involved complex land agreements and property sales. For the past several municipal elections, Ms. Hurst has coordinated regional new Council orientation, and in 2018 members from all local governments in the region attended. Further examples of her accomplishments include diligent service delivery and financial sustainability for the community and the negotiated Police Framework Agreement.
“CAO Hurst and I have worked together through both my time as Councillor and the past 14 years as Mayor. As Mayor, I could always rely on her leadership and commitment to the Township and our residents”, said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “She has been an exceptional administrative leader of the organization guiding our Township and 6 different councils through many challenging issues. This is exemplified most recently in the steady approach she used to guide us through the pandemic. Her diligence, keen wit and expertise will be missed. The Councillors and I wish her all the best for this new chapter in her life."
In addition to sitting on several regional committees, including the Regional Emergency Management Partnership, the Local Government Management Association (LGMA) calls on Ms. Hurst frequently to share her experiences as she is a well-respected speaker and an expert on local government. She is featured in many podcasts in the LGMA’s Elected-Staff Relationship Toolkit where she provides sage advice on managing the CAO-elected official dynamic. In addition, Laurie has been asked to speak on ethics in local government, and also provided mentorship to students in the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Victoria. In 2019, Ms. Hurst was the recipient of a professional Service Award for Leadership from the Board of the LGMA.
“It has been one of the most challenging roles of my career, but also the most rewarding,” said Hurst. “The opportunity to be part of such growth and positive change, both in the organization and in the community has been the most fulfilling role I could have imagined for myself. I am so proud to have been able to contribute to what has been accomplished over the years”. Ms. Hurst also commented that “it has been an incredible experience and I have developed such amazing relationships with Council members and staff, both past and present.”
Mayor and Council, together with the senior leadership team, thank Ms. Hurst for her exemplary leadership and dedication to her role. Her leadership, commitment, expertise and good humour will be missed.
The Township will begin its formal recruitment process later this month.
-30-
Contact
Tara Zajac, Manager of Communications
Tara.zajac@esquimalt.ca
250-414-7122