The City of Port Coquitlam will be searching for a new Chief Administrative Officer, following an announcement today that CAO John Leeburn will leave his post this summer.

After six years as the City of Port Coquitlam’s most senior staff member, Leeburn will leave the City on July 27 to pursue new career opportunities.

“John has done an outstanding job moving our City forward,” said Mayor Greg Moore. “He has made tremendous strides improving our organizational culture, structure and services, and is leaving behind some big shoes to fill. We will miss his passion for the community and I wish him all the best.”

In the coming weeks, Council will decide on a hiring process for the new CAO.

“I’m very happy John has given us time to fill the position and consider the best approach for the city,” Moore said. “We’ll make sure to share the details with the community once they are worked out.”

Leeburn joined the city staff in 2012 as CAO after 17 years with the City of Maple Ridge, including serving in one of the City’s most senior staff positions as Executive Director to the CAO.

In total, he has worked in municipal government for 31 years. Now age 55, he does not yet have another position lined up after he leaves Port Coquitlam.

“In the small number of working years I have left, I hope to focus on some of the areas of work that really excite and energize me,” said Leeburn, a long-time Port Coquitlam resident. “In my time with the city, I have enjoyed seeing the progress we have made as a team. It has been, and will continue to be, a great honour leading this organization and working closely with so many wonderful people.”

Leeburn’s contributions include:

• Oversaw several years of planning and the start of construction in 2017 of a 205,000-square-foot Community Recreation Complex in downtown Port Coquitlam;
• Introduced Continuous Improvement Assessments, which scrutinize city activities, research best practices in government and the private sector, and seek opportunities to improve;
• Restructured departments and hired or promoted senior staff with the aim of reducing duplication and providing more effective and efficient service;
• Brought a city-wide focus on staff engagement and professional development, including introducing an in-house Leadership Certificate Program in concert with BCIT and an in-house supervisory skills training program;
• Initiated a revenue committee to reduce the burden on taxpayers, with opportunities including revenue from new digital billboard and bus shelter deals for the city;
• Fostered a culture of innovation, including negotiating a deal with TELUS for community-wide fibre optics installation, the development and marketing of staff-designed waste cart locks; and supporting staff to pursue creative solutions;
• Revamped the budgeting process for greater transparency, accountability and understanding (both internal and public), and a strong focus on key spending priorities;
• Championed the city’s five-year commitment to host the PoCo Grand Prix, which has grown into a world-class pro cycling event and street festival;
• Strengthened relationships between Council and staff and with the RCMP, neighbouring municipalities and other levels of government;
• Championed and chaired the Integrated Partnership for Regional Emergency Management committee.

The plans for the CAO hiring process are expected to be confirmed by Spring.

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For additional information, contact:
Pardeep Purewal
Manager, Communications and Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
T: 604.927.5335
E: purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca
www.portcoquitlam.ca