Here at the LGMA, we are proud to highlight our members and their many achievements in BC local government! This week, we are featuring another strong supporter and LGMA member, Curtis Helgesen, Chief Administrative Officer at the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako! Curtis was the president of the LGMA Board of Directors from 2023 – 2024, and currently sits as the past president. To honour his time on the board, we have asked him to share his story working in BC local government, and with the LGMA Board.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background?

A: Not knowing what I wanted to do when I grew up, I defaulted to starting my career in Accounting and Finance. I still have my first penny from my first piggy bank, so I knew that there would always be the need for someone to track various forms of commerce. I started in the private sector before I started hearing about local government. In 2003, I started in my first role as Deputy Treasurer in my hometown of Sooke, BC. In 2006, I accepted a job as Director of Finance in Elkford, and then in 2012 I was promoted to CAO.

As for my non-work-related background; I love sports, in particular fastball and badminton. I got to see a good portion of this beautiful province playing fastball in various tournaments and provincial championships, and a good portion of Canada as well at National Championships. As a highlight, I was the top pitcher in Canada in 1989 at the National Championships held in Victoria.

Q: Can you describe your role and title? 

A: Chief Administrative Officer for the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. Just one of the local government team members providing service to the public, who happens to be directly accountable to the Board/Council (one employee model).

Q: How long have you been in local government? 

A: 21 years

Q: How long have you been an LGMA member?

A: Probably 21 years. I was voluntold in 2003 to join the LGMA 2004 Annual Conference Organizing Committee.

Q: What are some key milestones in your professional journey? 

A: Two highlights come to mind:

One: in 2008 when I was presented as Co-winner of the Al Brockley Leadership Award at MATI® – Leadership (2). This training session confirmed my aspirations to eventually seek a CAO role. It was an amazing week with some great colleagues. 

Two: when I participated in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) International Program, Sustainable and Inclusive Communities in Latin America (CISAL). I participated in three missions to Colombia, one mission to Peru, and hosted two missions in Elkford. Elkford also won the 2019 Institutional Award, and I was nominated for the FCM’s Mike Badham Award. It was an amazing and life changing experience as we shared good governance and financial management practices. 

Q: How has being an LGMA member benefited your professional development?

A: Being an LGMA member has been critical to my professional development; not only the training programs such as MATI®, but the networking and development opportunities at the annual conference and chapter sessions has been invaluable in my journey.

Q: What do you value most about being an LGMA Membership? 

A: The “we are all in this together” approach. Everyone is always willing to share resources and assist colleagues from around the province. The LGMA membership and offerings help facilitate this. 

Q: What have you learned from your experiences that you believe would benefit others in your field?

A: Customer Service should always be the key focus in delivering local government services. While it is easy to take for granted the specialized knowledge we obtain during our careers in local government, the general public often does not have that same awareness. So answer each question with the same vim and vigor, even if you have had that same question 10 times that day or week, because it is the first time that this constituent is asking that question. 

Q: What is one fun fact about yourself that you would like to share with our members?

A: The job of CAO can often be described as juggling expectations. I do know how to juggle – is this a fun fact – not really, but I do believe in “FUN” in the workplace, it is mandatory in my opinion. A quote I have used numerous times from Clive Beddoe (Westjet Founder) from a Reader’s Digest article many years ago – ‘If you’re not having fun, you’re fired’.