The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) has announced that Robert (Rob) Baldwin will be joining the organization as the chief administrative officer (CAO) on January 1, 2021.
“I’m incredibly humbled to have this opportunity to take on the role of chief administrative officer,” said Baldwin. “Over the past two decades, I’ve been proud and inspired to have played an active role in the growth and emergence of the Authority as a leading environmental agency in Ontario, with worldwide recognition.”
“Certainly, these are challenging times, but challenges also represent opportunities and I thank the Board of Directors for their confidence in me,” added Baldwin. “I’m committed to working with staff and board members to continue to protect and restore this watershed for the benefit of all its inhabitants.”
For nearly two decades Rob has worked for the conservation authority in various business portfolios. Most recently, he was the general manager of Planning and Development and Watershed Restoration Services. In this role, he was responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team that implements Provincial and Authority policies and regulations with respect to development and infrastructure activities.
Most recently, Rob helped develop and implement the Authority’s Ecological, Water Balance, and Phosphorus Offsetting Programs with full industry support. These programs are the first of their kind in Canada, according to LSRCA, and require developers to compensate for the environmental consequences of development activities on the land.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I want to congratulate Mr. Baldwin for successfully securing this senior leadership role at LSRCA,” said Wayne Emmerson, chair of LSRCA. Emmerson is also to the chairman and CEO of York Region.
“The field of competitors was of high caliber, and Rob rose to the top of the list with ease,” added Emmerson. “We wish him every success in his new position, and we look forward to working with him and the entire LSRCA team in the coming years,”
Outgoing chief administrative officer, Mike Walters, echoed Chair Emmerson’s sentiments. “Rob certainly has his work cut out for him, but I think a key success factor will be the fact that he brings tremendous experience and stability, both of which are critically important during these unique and challenging times,” added Walters.
Walters will be retiring at the end of 2020.
