Region appoints its new chief administrative officer
Bruce Lauckner had been head of local health integration network
WATERLOO REGION — The Region of Waterloo has chosen a new chief administrative officer.
Bruce Lauckner will take the top post starting July 27 after regional council unanimously approved the appointment on Monday.
“Waterloo is home to me and I thought this was a great opportunity to give back to my community in a new way,” he said. “I am really excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Lauckner started out in the municipal sector before becoming the head of the local health integration network. He thinks his background in health and social services will be valuable along with his understanding of the community — especially as the region is grappling with the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 and its wide-reaching effects.
“I’m excited to be a part of the rebuilding, so to speak, and moving forward,” Lauckner said.
He plans to meet with staff, councillors and stakeholders to figure out what’s most important to the region moving forward, as well as hearing from the diverse communities that make up the region.
“They’re all different and that’s important,” Lauckner said.
Leaving the health-care sector was a tough decision, but Lauckner said he’s excited about the possibilities and new challenge. “I feel that I had something to offer.”
Lauckner was the chief executive officer for the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration network for a decade, before joining the newly created Ontario Health last November to oversee four regions incorporated as Ontario Health West.
“Bruce is an accomplished leader who brings to the position both strong leadership skills and a passion for community building,” Regional Chair Karen Redman said in a release. “His skills, talent and experience will be a good fit with the region’s organizational culture as we navigate this period of unprecedented change.”
Former regional chair Ken Seiling said Lauckner is a good choice, having known and worked with him for many years.
“I’ve been very, very impressed with him,” said Seiling, who called Lauckner logical, a quick learner and big-picture thinker.
Seiling is pleased the region picked someone with strong local roots who has a solid understanding of the community as well as the value of grassroots organizations.
“I have a great deal of respect for him as a very competent manager,” Seiling said. “I think he’s well known and well respected across the community.”
Lauckner, who lives in Waterloo with his wife Lisa and teenagers Ben and Emma, has a master’s degree in public administration and policy from the University of Guelph.
He has taken on a series of progressive roles ranging from clerk and treasurer for two rural municipalities to chief executive officer for a $7-billion health system representing almost four million residents and 3,000 direct staff and 530 service providers.
Lauckner will be taking over for Mike Murray, the region’s longest serving chief administrative officer with more than 15 years in the position. Murray announced he would be retiring this spring earlier this year.
They’re “big shoes to fill,” Lauckner said. “I’m honoured to have been chosen and following in Mike’s footsteps. He’s set a high bar.”