TAC Board Names New Leadership

At its meeting on December 10^th, the TAC Board of Directors appointed a slate of officers to lead the Association for the coming year. 

Paul McConnell, Deputy Minister, Yukon Highways and Public Works, becomes President. Mr. McConnell has over 30 years’ experience, including a successful career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and more recently in senior leadership positions with the Government of Yukon. In taking the helm as President, Mr. McConnell said, “I am proud to be part of TAC’s leadership team and look forward to building on its strengths as the Association and the transportation sector recover and rebuild following the challenges presented by the global pandemic.”

In other appointments, Sarah Thiele, Deputy Minister, Manitoba Infrastructure, joins TAC’s Executive Committee as Vice President (Federal/Provincial/Territorial).

Other Directors returning to their TAC offices are:

• Tim Savoie (City Manager, City of Port Moody) as Vice President, Municipal.
• Scott Stewart (CEO, IBI Group) as Vice President, Members-at-Large.
• Michael Thompson (General Manager, Infrastructure and Engineering Services, City of Calgary), as Treasurer.
• Sarah Wells (Executive Director, TAC) as Corporate Secretary.

In succeeding to the presidency, Mr. McConnell acknowledged outgoing President, Laurie LeBlanc, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Transportation. He commended her leadership and congratulated her on the Association’s continued success in a difficult year. He cited Board decisions made during her term to ensure TAC’s future sustainability, including committing to deliver TAC’s Spring Technical Meetings online for the foreseeable future, investing in a project to develop a new road safety guide for Canada, and securing TAC’s financial foundations to contend with the ongoing pandemic and protect against possible future crises.

Ms. LeBlanc said she had been honoured to be TAC President and to have the opportunity to lead such a well-respected technical organization. She thanked Board members and TAC staff for their support during her tenure. Expressing confidence in TAC’s future, she noted, “The continuing commitment of members to work together on important issues is extraordinary and essential to producing the high-quality resources that TAC is known for.”

Comprising representatives of TAC’s federal/provincial/territorial, municipal and at-large members, the Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of the Association, understanding members’ interests, setting strategic directions, approving annual budgets and monitoring operations. Like all TAC groups, members of the Board serve as volunteers and receive no remuneration for their work. The Association is fortunate to have their commitment and dedication.