By Carolyn Sloan

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

After a sterling 14 years of service as chief executive officer for the County of Annapolis, it’s time for Keith Robicheau to move on.

The man known throughout the county for his high degree of professionalism, expertise and personable nature has accepted a CAO position with the Town of Kentville and will be leaving the county office September 5.

An outstanding employee, Robicheau is credited with a number of significant contributions during his years as CAO.

“I hold Keith in the highest regard and esteem,” says councillor Marilyn Wilkins. “He has provided wonderful leadership to council which has resulted in us being financially stable.”

She also notes how Robicheau encouraged staff to continue their education and reach new heights in their professional development.

“I felt I learned a lot personally from him,” Wilkins explains. “He wanted each of us to succeed, the staff and the council.”

Robicheau started his career in public service at the age of 24 when he became the town manager for his hometown of St. Andrews By the Sea. It was the beginning of great things for the young professional, who later went to work for the New Brunswick treasury board and was subsequently seconded by the province to the department of municipal affairs. There, he served as senior policy advisor and was presented with the task of coordinating a local government restructuring study in Miramichi.

“I really liked municipal government,” says Robicheau. “It’s the level of government that’s closest to the people.

“[Being CAO has allowed me] to work closely with the political decision makers and to see the results of the decisions.”

After working on the Miramichi study, Robicheau experienced a renewed interest in municipal governance and in 1994, he accepted the position as CAO in Annapolis County.

“I was very fortunate to be selected,” he explains. “I’ve always felt very at home here. I’ve always felt very welcomed by the residents of Annapolis County.

“My family’s roots are in this region,.. My great grandfather had a farm that stretched across the Digby Neck.”

While it has been an honour and a privilege to work for the county, Robicheau is looking forward to the change.

“I think ultimately, change is a good thing both for me and the organization,” he says. “There’s a very real danger too if you get to a point where you invest a lot of yourself physically and emotionally.”

Councillor Pat McWade can’t thank Robicheau enough for all the time and energy he has invested in the county and its council. He notes that when the CAO first began, the county had only about $45,000 in reserves, whereas now they have approximately $4.2 million.

“Almost single handedly in the beginning, he set us on a course of professionalism,” says McWade. “Keith, being the expert that he is…was able to educate council as to its possible choices.

“He was a tremendous leader of his staff… He urged people and supported them greatly in self-improvement.”

A Governor General’s medal winner, Robicheau is highly respected by his peers and is leaving a long legacy of exceptional service, he adds.

“The bright side is he is going to a bigger challenge,” says McWade. “He will be missed. He has been nothing but a plus.”