PRESS RELEASE District of Clearwater CAO Announces Retirement Date
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Leslie Groulx has announced plans to retire from the District of Clearwater in May 2021.
“Ms. Groulx has been integral to the success of the District Clearwater since incorporation and has been a fierce champion for our community and for the North Thompson Valley since taking on the role of Chief Administrative Officer. Ms. Groulx, in her joint role as CAO and Economic Development Officer, has been essential to getting federal and provincial grants that have moved Clearwater forward, making us the envy of many a community with similar issues and similar needs. Ms. Groulx is highly respected within the greater local government community, has helped Clearwater build extensive beneficial relationships within the business and government circle, and is a huge part of why Clearwater is seen as a community that gets things done. She has handled her position with the utmost integrity, professionalism and forethought, the latter can be seen in her decision to let Council know far in advance of her pending retirement, allowing for as smooth a transition as possible to a future CAO. On behalf of myself and Council, it has been an honour, a privilege and an absolute pleasure to work with Ms. Groulx (Leslie) over the years, and we look forward to working with her to keep Clearwater moving forward though her transition toward retirement.” Mayor Merlin Blackwell.
CAO, Groulx has been an instrumental part of starting and growing the municipality as it is today. Some highlights of her tenure to-date include the recognition of the municipality for three community excellence awards (provincial and regional), the commercial growth you see today, building of relationships with all levels of government, including Simpcw First Nation, implementing and expanding many programs and services for our citizens; securing over $18 million in grant funds since inception for the enhancement of various programs and the construction and development of significant infrastructure that now serves this community.
“This may seem like a long time from now but time flies by”, noted Groulx. This is the community she grew up in and she feels very strong about providing the time required to find a suitable
replacement to take the District to the next level.
“I’ve been fortunate to have been with the municipality since inception, building the foundation of the organization from the ground up has been equivalent to completing a masters degree in local government, I have had the opportunity to work with many outstanding staff and elected officials throughout the years who were and are committed to this community and our citizens,” said Groulx. “Leading the District through a period of significant growth while supporting our neighbouring communities, working with the investment community and having the opportunity to develop and implement provincially recognized pilot projects as templates for other municipalities has been the most rewarding part of my career.”
The District of Clearwater incorporated in December 2007, Groulx started with the District in January 2008 as the Corporate Officer / Economic Development Officer. Before joining the District, she spent 3 years with Thompson Nicola Regional District and previous to that she spent time in education and forestry and was a self-employed accountant / business consultant for many years. Groulx was appointed as Chief Administrative Officer for the District in June 2011.