Northern Development CEO Joel McKay recently announced his resignation and new position as City Manager with the City of Quesnel. McKay started as the Director of Communications in 2012 before being named CEO of Northern Development in 2016.
1. Between becoming CEO in 2016 and today, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen at Northern Development?
The culture is probably the biggest thing I’ve noticed. We always had a strong team at the Trust, but I would say we have a far more inclusive, engaged and communicative team than I had seen previously. This was an effort by the entire organization, from the Board, through me to the management team and broader staff. It didn’t happen overnight.
Aside from that, I’d say the sheer size of the organization. When I assumed the position of CEO in 2016, we had approximately $260 million in assets under management. Today, it’s more than $600 million. Most of that growth has come through partnerships with the Province of B.C. Our challenge as a team was one that many business owners would be familiar with: how do you scale up? So, I’d say my time as CEO has been a lot about how we scale our business while maintaining our reputation for responsiveness, access and being about the North. It wasn’t always perfect, but I feel we’ve done a great job overall and the reason for that comes back to one thing: team.
2. What would you say is your greatest accomplishment working at Northern Development?
I’m going to sound like a broken record – building the team we have. To be honest, I frequently joke that I’m completely superfluous to the organization at this point. The team we’ve built here is exceptional. Yes, we’ve had strong financial earnings, clean audits, impressive growth and significant changes to our public outreach and access to programs, but the key to all of it was finding and hiring the right people, and then making an ongoing effort to keep them engaged and supported. Again, it’s not always perfect. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but what I was always trying to get to was a fun, high-performing team environment with people who are as passionate about our work and region as I am. I think we’re there and I’m proud of that.
3. What was your greatest challenge working at Northern Development?
Honestly, adjusting to the job. A friend once told me CEO jobs are designed for people in their 40s and 50s. I was 31 with two young children at home. And I’m not a CPA or MBA. I came out of public relations and journalism. Within half a year of taking over, we had a new provincial government. I faced a lot of doubt in the first year or two, both internally and externally, as to whether I would survive and take the organization in a new direction. Balancing that with a young family was difficult. I could tell a lot of stories about being a young CEO in public service. Frankly, I don’t recommend it. But I survived, I learned to relax (to the extent I can), to let go, roll with the punches and the organization is in good shape and ready for the next leader to take it where it needs to go.
So, there was that. Oh, and trying to keep 60-plus elected officials at two levels of government generally pleased with how the money is being managed amid wildfires, floods, industry collapse and a pandemic. Good times!
4. What are you going to miss the most about working at the Trust?
The people. The Board, our team, driving through the region and dropping in to see people randomly in every town along the way. Aside from the work we do, I think the thing I enjoyed most about this role is feeling like you’re at home wherever you go, you’re welcomed in the community, and you have a shot at helping a community tackle its challenges and seize opportunities. I’ve always enjoyed getting into the smallest, most remote parts of our region and trying to find a way to do something cool and meaningful. Getting to work with fantastic people at our office and in every community throughout the north is an incredibly enriching experience that transforms the way you see the world and approach life. I feel extremely privileged to have been able to do this work.
5. What are your hopes for Northern Development in the future?
That it keeps on kicking ass. That the next leader takes the reins and does cool things that I couldn’t or wasn’t able to get to. That the team thrives. And that the Trust continues to prove that it’s a force for good throughout Northern B.C. in a very uncertain time. I look forward to cheering it on from Quesnel.
6. AND, for Joel McKay in the next five years – what does success look like?
Peace, health, family time and good challenges. Oh, and maybe I’ll get another book or two written 🙂
