From Penny Ballem, City Manager:
I am writing with great regret to announce the retirement of our favorite City Engineer, Peter Judd, who, in May 2015, will complete 33 years of service to the City and the citizens of Vancouver. Peter has worked in all parts of Engineering over these years and in 2005 was promoted to Deputy City Engineer. In 2009, I asked Peter to take on the position of GM Olympic Operations – his work in this position was crucial to our success as a host city for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Following a national search, Peter was promoted to City Engineer and General Manager, Engineering Services in 2010 after the Games. …
Peter will be retiring at the end of April 2015. He will be greatly missed. …
A few observations:
First, he can’t be retiring already! When I was on Council (1986-2002), Peter was one of the young ‘uns in Engineering. One to watch. And now he’s leaving. (And no doubt there will be speculation as to why.)
Two, if there was a pioneer among the new breed of engineers, Peter was it – interested in, not antagonistic to, principles of planning and urban design. More than that, he realized the world was changing, and the traditional priority of transportation engineering – Motordom! – no longer was, especially in Vancouver. He sometimes seemed subversive as he worked across the traditional silos and entertained off-the-wall ideas. But, like a good engineer, he’d find ways to make sure the wall held up.
Third, I hope he won’t be missed. I hope he’ll still be contributing. In whatever way works.
I share your reaction. Peter Judd has been a breath of fresh air blowing through the City’s transportation department. I hope that effect will linger after his departure.
So well said Gord. I always thought of him as representing an older tradition of engineering. He didn’t bring an ideology to work but wanted to genuinely know what the Council was trying to do and he would make it happen. A true professional. Much thanks to him and his predecessor Dave Rudberg for changing the relationship between engineering and other aspects of the city.
Heard this was coming. Peter was a wonderful team leader of the seminal 1996-97 COV Transportation Plan program. One that planners enjoyed working with, probably more so than some of the engineers. He will leave a very big legacy for the City, showing how collaboration can produce superior results.
Yes, he has a lot more to contribute. I always thought of him as a worthy candidate for City Manager. Whatever, I hope he stays local.
I agree Peter will be a great loss to the City. I think he found it very frustrating to work under Penny Ballem. I am surprised he lasted as long as he did. It looks like he is sticking it out just long enough to be eligible for an unreduced pension (ie age + years of service = 90) and not a day longer.