There’s been many changes in his 30-plus years working for the City of Delta, but it remains the best place to live in the Lower Mainland.
That’s what former city manager Sean McGill had to say about his lengthy tenure for the city where he was born and raised, recently retiring from his role as Delta’s top staffer.
His last day as city manager was on Aug. 31.
He said that before he decides on a potential future career path, he very much looks forward to unwinding and having family time with his wife Erin and daughters Keya and Taylin.
“After 35 years, you don’t realize you’re in it because it’s so busy, so constant and it’s so ingrained as part of your life. After 35 years, it’s time to slow down and look after me and my family,” said McGill.
Appointed city manager in 2019, McGill’s journey up the ranks was a remarkable one. His first job with the city came over three decades prior teaching summer Tiny Tots soccer for the parks and recreation department while still in high school.
He worked his way up through several departments, having worked jobs as diverse as a labourer installing sewer pipes to taxation manager and financial analyst. His last job prior to becoming city manager was director of corporate services.
“It blows my mind that it’s been 35 years already, it really does,” remarked McGill.
He also managed to earn a couple of degrees along the way, while being a life-long resident helped give him even greater insight into life in the city.
“It’s been an amazing career, a good career that’s been very rewarding and it went incredibly fast. Every new job was a new opportunity, an exciting opportunity, and it was an opportunity to make things better,” he added.
“The thing about the city, we’re still small in some ways with a small feel, but we’ve had a lot of big city issues and problems, like the port coming in and, of course, traffic issues and housing issues. There’s been challenges, and it did change. I still think it’s not only one of the best places to live in the world, it is certainly in the Lower Mainland. We’re very fortunate to be where we are and I was very fortunate to be a part of it.”
McGill described Delta as having a great sense of community and quality of life.
When he took over as city manager, it was noted that McGill had focused on building strong relationships with his colleagues and creating a positive working environment, and that his history of success at all levels of the organization provided a unique perspective into the challenges facing Delta.
His skill at building relationships extended beyond the city to connections with outside agencies and other stakeholders.
Mayor George Harvie, who had been the city’s previous long-time city manager, commented, “Sean McGill has been a tireless advocate for the City of Delta for the past 35 years and on behalf of council, I want to thank him and share my heartfelt appreciation to Sean for his service to our city. I wish him the very best with wherever the next chapter takes him.”
The City of Delta recently announced that Donny van Dyk has been appointed as the new city manager.
Beginning his Delta tenure Sept. 18, van Dyk for the past five years was city manager for the City of Penticton.
In a news release, van Dyk said he is thrilled to be working alongside council and looks forward to building on Delta’s reputation as a first-class community that is welcoming, inclusive and innovative.
He will be responsible for the overall management of the operations of the City of Delta, overseeing a $300-plus million budget, while providing leadership and guidance to an entire organization of approximately 1,500 employees.
