Debra Oakman, Chief Administrative Officer

Debra Oakman was appointed chief administrative officer (CAO) of the CVRD in August 2008, after having been acting in the position since February of that year and a member of the CVRD’s senior team for the previous 14 years.  Debra is also the CAO of the Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District, secretary for the North Island 911 Corporation and oversees the contract administration for the Comox Valley Economic Development Society.

Debra leads the CVRD’s executive management team, comprising the property services branch, community services branch, public affairs & information systems branch, finance, human resources, legislative services and corporate policy.

Ian Smith, GM of Community Services Branch

Ian leads the community services branch, which oversees community parks, recreation facilities and the exhibition grounds, transit, emergency services, fire protection, fleet management, Denman/Hornby island community services, solid waste and streetlighting.

Kevin Lorette, GM of Property Services Branch

Kevin leads the property services branch, which oversees building and planning services, wastewater treatment and water services.

Leigh Carter, GM of Public affairs/Information Systems Branch

Leigh leads the CVRD’s public affairs & information systems branch, which oversees communication planning, media relations, marketing, public education, bylaw compliance, CAO office enquiries, information technology and graphic information systems (mapping).

Beth Dunlop, Corporate Financial Officer

Beth leads the area of finance, which comprises financial operations, financial planning, grant management, investments, contract management and purchasing.

Geoff Garbutt, Manager of Strategic and Long Range Planning

Geoff leads the strategic and long range planning department,
which oversees the regional growth strategy and sustainability
initiatives,  long range community planning services, transit
services,  risk management and strategic planning for the CVRD.

Gaya Laflamme, Executive Manager of Human Resources

Gaya leads CVRD’s human resources department, which oversees personnel management, labour relations, recruitment and retention of employees, benefits, payroll, safety and wellness.

James Warren, Corporate Legislative Officer

James provides legislative services to the CVRD, and oversees the regional district’s role in civic elections, administration, board and committee meetings, Freedom of Information and records management.

Teresa Warnes, Executive Assistant

Teresa  is the CVRD’s executive assistant, and provides administrative support to the chair of the board, elected officials and the executive management team, chief administrative officer meeting coordination, grants-in-aid administration and attendance at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, Union of British Columbia Municipalities and Federation of Canadian Municipalities conferences.