- Organization: Region of Waterloo
- Posted: December 12th, 2019
After more than 27 years of service at the Region of Waterloo, and more than 15 years as Chief Administrative Officer, Mike Murray has announced his retirement. Murray has advised Regional Council that he plans to retire in the spring of 2020.
“It has been an honour to work with such an incredible team of staff, and very dedicated Councillors during my career at the Region, especially over the past 15 years as Chief Administrative Officer,” Murray said. “I am immensely proud of the work we’ve done together, and the positive impact we’ve made on our community. Together we’ve created one of the finest communities in Canada.”
Murray joined the region in 1992 as Manager of Engineering, Planning, Water Resource Protection. He has served the region in a series of progressive roles including Director of Water Services and Commissioner of Transportation and Environmental Services, before being selected in 2004 to lead the organization as CAO.
Murray – the region’s longest-serving CAO – has seen many accomplishments his 27-year career. His career highlights include development of the region’s first source water protection strategy, the rural water quality program, and the formation and growth of Grand River Transit. He also played a key role in the creation of the Waterloo Region Tourism Marketing Corporation and the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.
Most recently, he helped co-ordinate Waterloo Region’s Syrian refugee resettlement efforts, and the process to establish a consumption and treatment facility in 2019. Murray also provided leadership to all phases of the region’s rapid transit initiative over the last 15 years culminating with the successful launch of the ION rapid transit system earlier this year.
“Mike Murray is retiring at the pinnacle of his long and illustrious career,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “Mike has shone at every level of public service. For the past 15 years he has been recognized for outstanding leadership by the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. Mike has been an outstanding leader, strategic thinker and has fostered a values-based approach to public service.”
Regional Council will commence the process of hiring a new CAO in early 2020.
