At the LGMA, we take pride in recognizing the outstanding achievements of our members within BC local government. This week, we're excited to feature David Block, Director of Development Services with the City of Terrace and an LGMA member for over a decade! David’s interest in community planning and urban design grew out of travelling and experiencing rural and urban places around the globe when his parents worked in India and Ethiopia. Read David’s full spotlight and join us in celebrating his 22 year journey in local government!
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background?
A: when I wasn’t overseas, Saskatchewan was my home in early childhood years – my parents lived and worked in India and Ethiopia. This life experience has led me to many travels in Europe and Asia before getting settled into post-secondary education and a career in Planning. My interest in community planning and urban design and land use grew out of travelling and experiencing rural and urban places around the globe. Following completion of my Master’s in the Environmental Design program at the University of Calgary (UofC) in 2003 we moved to the City of Terrace in northwest BC for the position of City Planner. I have been a Registered Professional Planner (RPP, MCIP) for over 20 years.
Q: Can you describe your role and title?
A: I am currently in the position of Director of Development Services with the City of Terrace. I have been in this role since 2012, following 8 years as City Planner. As a senior manager with the city, I oversee the planning, building, licensing, GIS Mapping, Bylaw, CSO, and animal shelter departments.
Q: How long have you been in local government?
A: I have served 22 years in local government. Most of this service has been in BC with one year as a municipal planner in Saskatchewan.
Q: How long have you been an LGMA member?
A: 10 years (since 2014)
Q: What are some key milestones in your professional journey?
A: Key milestones include my MEDes (Planning) master’s degree from UofC, and achieving my certification as a Registered Professional Planner in 2004.
Serving as a volunteer for the Planning Institute of BC (PIBC) as the Chair of the Central-North Chapter before being elected as a member of the PIBC Board in 2019. I have served almost 8 years on the PIBC Board and am in my final term as Past-President having served as the President of PIBC in 2021-2023. This volunteer role over the past 8 years has provided opportunities to engage at the national level with professional planners across BC, Yukon and Canada and to serve on national committees.
I have really enjoyed volunteering with LGMA as a member of the Approving Officer’s Committee since 2015. Since 2008 I’ve been working as the Subdivision Approving Officer for the City of Terrace. I have learned much in this volunteer role and enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience through the Approving Officer Workshops and MATI Approving Officer Course.
A milestone moment from LGMA was the very unexpected and rewarding honour to be presented with the “Professional Award Volunteer Service” in 2021.
Q: How has being an LGMA member benefited your professional development?
A: I have benefitted immensely through development of a network of local government managers by attending the annual LGMA conferences and other training opportunities. My role on the Approving Officer Committee has been both a learning and sharing of knowledge process that has been very helpful in my professional role as an approving officer.
Q: What do you value most about being an LGMA member?
A: I value most the networking, contacts, and friendships I have with numerous local government managers across BC as well as with the highly competent and very supportive LGMA Staff. As a manager in Terrace, I value the team building that I have seen within our municipal management staff when attending the annual conferences together.
Q: What have you learned from your experiences that you believe would benefit others in your position?
A: Join LGMA as a member when you reach the management level in your career and attend the annual conferences and other training programs. Use all these opportunities to broaden your network with local government staff and managers across the province. The network I have provides a wealth of experience to draw on when I have challenging issues in my work. LGMA members are always willing to share their time, knowledge, and experience with me whenever I reach out.
Q: What advice might you give to a young person entering the local government field?
A: Get involved and volunteer!! Give some of your time on a committee or in organizing an event. Give back as you grow in your experience and then support and mentor younger local government professionals. This will prove as rewarding and valuable to you as it is to those earlier in their careers.
Q: What is one fun fact about yourself that you would like to share with our members?
A: As part of my world travels, I dragged my wife on a trekking adventure up to 18,500 ft in the Nepal Himalya, well above and looking down on Everest Base camp, climbing Kala Patar. We celebrated our second anniversary in a trekking lodge near Lukla Nepal on this nine-day trek. I am still amazed I got her to do that!!
