Janette Loveys is no longer the top administrator at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
Loveys left the SCRD effective last Thursday, according to a prepared statement read to Coast Reporter by chair Lori Pratt.
“We wish her well in her future endeavours and thank her for her dedicated service to the Sunshine Coast Regional District,” Pratt said.
Loveys, who served as chief administrative officer since September 2015, will be taking the position of city manager in Brockville, Ont., in May.
Pratt described the departure as “mutually agreeable.”
Angie Legault, chief legislative officer, has been appointed as acting CAO, effective immediately and until the board finds a replacement.
“Staff will be reviewing priorities to make sure that key initiatives continue to move forward,” said Legault in a statement to Coast Reporter.
“There is no doubt that a change like this will have some impact on the organization. Nonetheless, we have a great team and I know everyone is ready to work together to serve our community during this transition.”
Legault and Pratt said it’s too soon to consider potential replacements.
“We’re figuring out the process right now of how we want to search and looking forward to finding a CAO for the regional district that will work with the board and help move the Sunshine Coast forward as a whole,” said Pratt.
“The biggest thing is finding an employee that the board really likes and will be a great leader for the organization.”
Pratt could not provide details about the reason for the departure.
On Friday, the City of Brockville, Ont. announced that Loveys had been hired as city manager, “following an in-depth hiring process.” She is slated to begin that position in mid-May at the earliest.
Loveys, originally from Ontario, was first hired by the SCRD as general manager of community services in June 2015, and was promoted to the CAO role three months later. John France, the previous CAO, had resigned in June. Legault served as acting CAO from June to September 2015.
In 2017, Loveys received an Award of Excellence from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and has also been involved in various capacities with Union of B.C. Municipalities and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities.
Prior to the SCRD, Loveys held senior administrative roles with the City of Guelph, the City of Welland and the Township of Minden Hills in Ontario, and with the Capital Regional District in Victoria.
“During her career Ms. Loveys has led financial process improvements through introducing enhanced budgeting process and has project management experience,” according to the City of Brockville release. “She prides herself on her ethical and collaborative leadership style and is a practitioner in meaningful community consultation and engagement.”
Pratt, who was elected to the board for the first time in October, told Coast Reporter Loveys was “good to work with and I wish her all the best in her new position in Brockville.”
