Engagement, candour, and respect

By Doreen Marion Gee

Curtis Grad learned his people skills early in life from the best teacher of all - his own father. The new CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) got 'up-close and personal' about the rich learning experiences of his life. His vision for our waterfront is practical and sensible. Most of all it takes into account the many different kinds of people he serves and their individual needs. At the end of the day, it is listening to people that counts to Curtis Grad. It is about respecting what they have to say. That is just plain old good business.

Grad has that indefinable warm personable air of a very savvy leader. Curtis was raised on a farm in Saskatchewan. As a child, he watched his dad deal with neighbours, suppliers, mechanics, government agents and even international delegations. The elder farmer treated everyone the same, in his natural relaxed manner He was direct, always willing to talk to anyone and always seeking a common sense solution. Curtis soaked in the fine art of how to treat other people.

When it comes to Ogden Point, Fisherman's Wharf, and Victoria Harbour, Curtis' vision is clear and logical. At present, our federal government still has jurisdiction over the seabed in Victoria Harbour, making it hard to garner local accountability and management. Curtis wants our harbour's operations to be completely in local hands.

"We desperately need a harbour-wide master plan," Curtis observes. "That is done in workable pieces." His dream is a unified vision that connects all points from Ogden Point to the Causeway and involving all the key players. "Ultimately, I would like to see the entire harbour woven together with one comprehensive plan...one that builds on the strong appeal and 'sense of place' that already exists and lays out the long-term vision for the future." He believes that a comprehensive overall plan is essential to preserve the green spaces, natural beauty, and local character that draw admirers from all over the world. The GVHA supports the plan for a Harbour Walkway from the causeway to Ogden Point. Visitors want to absorb the ambience with a walk around our seaside paradise, but only an amalgamated plan can make it possible.

Tourists arriving at Ogden Point or Victoria Harbour are met by underdeveloped and stark terminals. Curtis is passionate about polishing up and beautifying both areas. He is very happy that the GVHA won the bid to lease and develop the CPR Steamship Terminal. His first order of business is to build food and beverage facilities, retail outlets, exhibits, a tourist kiosk and a signature attraction at the street level. Streamlining the ferry service will free up an area for the first major civic building to be built in forty years.

"Engagement, candour, and respect" are the values that drive Curtis Grad in his work as CEO. "We manage a very diverse and complex business in a very public/plural and sometimes conflicted environment ... although we can never expect 100% consensus/support on every decision, the best decisions come when you make the effort to take all perspectives into account ... and, on those occasions where we find ourselves on the opposite side of an issue with an individual, organization, and business interest, my approach is to be straight-forward and respectful despite our differences in opinion or position."

When I brought up the contentious issue of citizens' concerns about air and noise pollution from cruise ships, his immediate response is that he wants to listen to their concerns. With the float home owners, Curtis' successful strategy was to have those discussions about moorage rates and to keep the communication lines open.

Curtis Grad has it right. As the CEO at GVHA, when he talks, people listen. But he knows that a successful business depends on the opposite: when people talk, he listens. His dad would approve.