Local Government Management Association (LGMA) has awarded qathet Regional District (qRD) chief administrative officer Al Radke with the LGMA professional service – leadership award.
According to a media release from the regional district, the award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding leadership achievements and dedicated significant time and effort, resulting in the reinforcement of the positive role of local government through service to the community, and professional peers.
“On behalf of the qathet Regional District board, I would like to congratulate Al on this well-deserved, momentous achievement,” stated Clay Brander, qathet Regional District board chair. “Al’s principled approach, dedication to his staff, and commitment to excellence have strengthened the organization’s resilience and viability, and solidified regional cooperation and collaboration.”
Radke is recognized for his dedication and unwavering commitment to ensuring the respect and safety of his staff, while championing significant organizational transformations and accomplishments, the release stated. These included, but were not limited to, realignment of organizational structure and position accountability to prevent staff burnout. Also considered was his empowering staff for continuous improvement, and showcasing best practices and regulatory requirement compliance to ensure sustainable service delivery.
The release stated that Radke supported the organization with work-life balance through the implementation of improved workplace safety, and comprehensive worker benefits for both physical and mental health. He also ensured there were sufficient resources to maintain downloaded responsibilities from the provincial government.
Remediation of the old incinerator contaminated site on Marine Avenue to the state-of-the-art, and award-winning resource-recovery centre was also considered, according to the release. Radke supported the successful $6 million grant award from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities strategic priorities fund, and the successful grant applications for more than $1 million from the rural economic diversification and infrastructure program to additionally support site remediation and construction of the resource-recovery centre.
Radke promoted a successful grant application through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to support the substantial upgrades to the Lund waterworks system, up to a total of $11 million, the release stated.
Radke supported the establishment of new services, including social planning, heritage conservation, and sub-regional recreation, according to the release. Finally, he played a pivotal role in fostering and maintaining relationships with First Nations.
The LGMA is a member-funded society dedicated to promoting professional management and leadership excellence in BC local government, and to creating awareness of the local government professionals’ role in the community. Since 1919, the LGMA has supported excellence in BC local government through education, training, professional development, and networking.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday:prpeak.com/account/mailinglist.
