BARRHEAD - It is time.
This is what Edward LeBlanc told the Barrhead Leader about his decision to retire as the Town of Barrhead's chief administrative officer (CAO).
"This year, I am celebrating my 41st year in municipal government; in June, it will be the start of my 42nd," he said.
LeBlanc said about a year ago, he started contemplating life outside of municipal government.
"Last year, I chatted with [Mayor Dave McKenzie], telling him that I was considering potentially retiring and might not be looking to renew or extend my contract. We chatted again this spring."
However, LeBlanc will not be retiring immediately. He will stick around until the municipality finds his replacement, a process that has already begun.
Following an in-camera session at the April 22 council meeting, councillors voted to extend LeBlanc's contract until his replacement is in place. To help facilitate that the municipality engaged (also approved following the same April 22 in-camera council session) the services of James Davies of DCG Executive Search Services.
LeBlanc came to Barrhead in 2019 but his career started decades earlier.
Originally from Beaumont, upon graduating high school, he went to NAIT for his post-secordary studies. He then applied for and was accepted into Alberta's Municipal Internship Program in 1983.
"My first choice to intern at was the Town of Barrhead," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc did not get his first choice and was, instead, assigned to Fort Saskatchewan.
LeBlanc only stayed at Fort Saskatchewan for a year, opting out of the program early to become the top administrator for the Town of Calmar.
"I was 20 years old," he said.
A year later, LeBlanc moved on to where he would spend the bulk of his municipal government career, becoming the assistant CAO for Westlock County. He would stay there for the next 29 years, the last as CAO.
After departing from Westlock County LeBlanc took the CAO position in Thorhidt County for four years before joining TSI Consulting for less than a year before taking the job as the Town of Barrhead's top administrator in May 2019.
"I have loved and still do, but it is time. I am 61, my children are grown, and it is time to start thinking about the next phase of my life," he said.
The all-wheel park stands out among some of the highlights of his tenure in Barrhead.
"I consider myself very fortunate to be associated with the Town of Barrhead and the councils that I have had the opportunity to work with. They have been very forward-thinking and have the ability to discuss long-term visions," he said, adding that the all-wheel skate park is a good example of that.
LeBlanc added the amenity has been on council's radar for several years.
"[The town] purchased the property several years ago, started developing it two years ago, but it all with council's ability to do some forward thinking," he said.
LeBlanc also noted he was proud to be part of such a talented, dedicated administrative staff.
"I am just part of a fantastic team," he said.
As for his retirement plans, LeBlanc wants to travel.
"That is what my wife and I like to do," he said.
When they are not travelling, the LeBlancs plan to stay in the region, specifically on the acreage they purchased in the early 1990s between Westlock and Barrhead.
