The City of Quesnel has announced Joel McKay will be taking on the role of city manager following the departure of Byron Jonhson, who left to take up a new job in Clearwater.
McKay has been serving as CEO of the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) since 2016 and served as communications director for the organization prior to that.
“Joel brings a wealth of connected knowledge and ambition to the City of Quesnel, and on behalf of council, I am pleased to welcome him to his new role,” said Mayor Ron Paull in a news release. “His drive and ambition will be a great asset to the community, and we look forward to working with him on projects and initiatives to help further develop our beautiful city.”
While serving as CEO of the NDIT, McKay has led the organization in doubling their assets, introducing new initiatives and helped grow the trust's relationship with the provincial government and First Nations.
“I would like to express my gratitude and excitement as I enter this new role,” said Joel McKay in the release. “It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as Chief Executive Officer at Northern Development Initiative Trust, and I look forward to utilizing the skillsets that I have developed there to fulfill the role of city manager for the City of Quesnel. Mayor and council have provided me with this incredible opportunity to be a part of this exceptional team and community and I look forward to the work ahead of us all.”
McKay will continue serving as CEO of the trust until January. Acting city manager Kari Bolton will continue in the city manager role until McKay starts.
The NDIT is a non-profit established by provincial legislation to help bolster the north with the premise: “The best economic development decisions for the North should be made in the North.”
The trust has helped Quesnel with funding for projects like the expansion of the West Fraser Centre's concession as well as bike parks and campgrounds in the city, among other projects.
