Today is the final day of a quarter century of service for Mission’s top bureaucrat Glen Robertson before he saddles up and rides into retirement.
“It feels different,” he said chuckling. “It’s not something I’ve done before. But I’m sure it’ll be very good.”
Robertson has served at the helm of the district for 21 years as chief administrative officer and another four years prior as director of planning. He also worked five years with the City of Abbotsford, and three years on the east coast, bringing his municipal career to over 33 years.
He said it’s difficult to isolate any single crowning achievement in his long career, preferring to think of the various projects he was involved in that made the community better in some way. Things like the $50-million hospital upgrades and new Campus of Care, as well as the Mission Health Unit.
“That’s something I’m proud to have been involved with,” he said, adding the Leisure Centre, Cedar Connector, Silver Creek industrial park, and the Junction Shopping Mall to the list.
But more than being involved in big projects, Robertson said he’ll miss his coworkers.
Starting the new job Monday is former finance director Ken Bjorgaard, who has worked closely with Robertson in recent months to get up to speed.
“It’s just a new chapter and a new moving forward,” said Robertson, adding there are no plans to kick off retirement with a trip.
Robertson will coincide his retirement with his wife, Marilyn MacDonald, an instructor at the University of the Fraser Valley.
“I’ll be around and be a part of the community. It just won’t be in the same role.”
