Glen Boone is experiencing a homecoming of sorts as he joins the Municipality of Cumberland as its new director of development and planning.
Boone worked as a development officer for the municipality between March 1988 and March 1991 and was also a property mapper with the Nova Scotia government, based in Amherst, from 1997 to 1999.
He comes to the municipality with more than 30 years of experience in administration, business development and municipal planning in both the government and private sectors.
Boone joins Cumberland County from the federal government, where he was the director of real estate Atlantic for the Canada Lands Company after spending several years as director of cargo and real estate development at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Boone took the helm of a newly-created Department of Development and Planning on March 6. He is responsible for permitting and inspection, land-use planning, economic development, climate change and tourism.
“This is an opportunity to get back to a little more of the grassroots of development and planning,” Boone said. “Cumberland County has changed much since my first tour of duty and I’m looking forward to being part of a growing municipality.”
Boone said his previous experience in the municipality and his familiarity with the region will prove helpful for him on the job. In his previous positions with the municipality and the provincial government in land information, he gained a lot of knowledge of the communities and their diversity.
He’s very excited to be part of what’s becoming a very strong team within the Municipality of Cumberland that has included the addition of a new director of finance, a new director of protective services as well as other positions.
Boone said he’s learned a lot from each position he’s held during his career that saw him work in places like Rankin Inlet, Nunavut as well as with Crombie REIT in Stellarton and the MacKay Group Limited in New Glasgow.
“I’ve always moved for opportunity and experience. I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve worked with a lot of very good mentors. Even in the latter part of my career I still try to learn from every opportunity,” he said. “It has helped me develop a greater base of knowledge and has more experiences.”
Along with his previous work experience with the municipality, he was also active in minor basketball with the AMBA and junior varsity basketball at Amherst Regional High School.
“The creation of the new department of development and planning and Glen’s appointment to the director’s role are important milestones as we continue to implement the recommendations from the Clear the Deck initiative,” Municipality of Cumberland CAO Greg Herrett said. “Glen’s diverse background and experience in these areas will serve us well moving forward. We are excited to welcome him to our group.”