A 40-year career with Foothills County has kept its municipal manager on his toes.
Harry Riva Cambrin celebrated four decades with the County on Oct. 14 and said being part of an ever-evolving municipality is what captivated his interest for 40 years.
“There was always enough change going on to keep the job interesting,” said Riva Cambrin. “There was always new challenges, new problems to solve. It was never a dull moment, which I prefer.
“It kept me busy and always challenged me – that’s why I stuck around.”
He came to the then-MD of Foothills in 1980 as a development officer, a role which he held for seven years before moving up to assistant secretary-treasurer and taking on more of managerial role with the municipality.
When his supervisor at the time passed away unexpectedly, Riva Cambrin was thrown into the position of acting secretary treasurer, as the council of the day thought he might be too green to take on the full position.
“That didn’t last long,” said Coun. Rob Siewert during the Oct. 14 council meeting when Riva Cambrin was honoured. “Council recognized Mr. Riva Cambrin has a natural talent and a giftedness toward management, so after just four short months council then appointed Harry to the permanent role of secretary-treasurer and later the name changed to municipal manager.
“Council has never looked back since that time.”
The promotion came in 1988, and Riva Cambrin said a lot has changed since then.
The population of the municipality has more than doubled since his early years, and the number of employees has increased from 13 in the office and 20 in public works to more than 250 people to cover all the municipality’s services – many of which he had never imagined would come about when he first arrived, like hockey arenas, a field house, schools, commercial developments, full-time fire departments and water and wastewater facilities.
“These are services, when I first got here, that council wasn’t even prepared to consider,” said Riva Cambrin. “I never expected any of that would happen.”
Reeve Suzanne Oel said she was pleased to recognize Riva Cambrin’s 40 years of loyalty and contributions to the County.
“As we acknowledge this milestone in the County, it is a pleasant reflection on the strength and quality that Mr. Riva Cambrin has brought to our organization and our community,” said Oel during the Oct. 14 meeting.
She said Riva Cambrin is known for always putting his best foot forward, treating everyone fairly and with respect, remaining calm and creative under pressure, and being a wealth of knowledge and experience.
“He challenges growth and encourages opportunities for advancement,” said Oel. “He is a mentor to many people.”
While there is no retirement date set at this time, Riva Cambrin said he now shares half his duties with Ryan Payne, who was appointed as the County’s CAO in July as part of the succession plan for the municipality.
He said so far, it’s been a rewarding
career in a beautiful County.
“It’s been great – very good people to work with, and very good councils to work for,” said Riva Cambrin. “I have no regrets.”
