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MEDIA RELEASE
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Announces Retirement of Chief Administrative Officer Scott Barry
Fort Nelson, BC — January 14, 2026 The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) announces that Chief Administrative Officer Scott Barry has informed Council of his intention to retire effective October of 2026, following 17 years of dedicated service to the organization.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reports to the Mayor and Council and is responsible for providing strategic advice, attending meetings, and overseeing day-to-day operations while executing Council’s direction and strategic priorities.
Since joining the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in 2009, Scott Barry has played a pivotal role in advancing organizational priorities. First starting in the role of Chief Building Inspector and then quickly progressing to Director of Public Works, Scott began in the role of Chief Administrative Officer in 2017. His leadership includes directing complex emergency responses—most notably the community-wide wildfire evacuation in 2024 involving the town centre and Emergency Operations Centre—guiding the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and championing an award-winning asset management program. He has also led the organization through multiple periods of change, built and nurtured a creative and empowered leadership team, and ensured operational continuity during times of crisis. Through these efforts, Scott has strengthened operations, governance, financial stewardship, and community services, ensuring residents and staff remained safe, supported, and continuously served.
“I am both saddened and excited to comment on and announce Scott’s retirement. While I am sad to see the municipality lose such a valued employee, Scott has built a strong organization in his tenure with the NRRM. His vision, knowledge and experience have led the staff and our community through some difficult times and still has created a plan to take the community into the future. I am excited for that plan. Scott and the management team have been preparing for the retirements in senior management for some time now. I am excited to be part of the new wave of managers coming up through the ranks. Their enthusiasm for our community has me confident that the organization will maintain its strong focus on community safety, development and cost effective services. Thank you Scott for your years of service and dedication to the community and region.” - Mayor Rob Fraser
Council has begun planning a smooth, orderly leadership transition to ensure continuity of municipal services. Recruitment will begin in January/February to allow for significant overlap between the outgoing CAO and their successor. This Council will provide direction on the recruitment process so the appointed CAO is well positioned to work effectively with the incoming Council following the election.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality thanks Scott Barry for his 17 years of dedicated service and lasting contributions to the organization and the community. We wish Scott and his family every happiness in retirement and extend our deepest gratitude for his years of service.
About Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) provides local government services to residents across a vast and diverse region, supporting resilient communities, responsive governance, and sustainable regional development. Incorporated on February 6, 2009 as British Columbia’s first and only Regional Municipality, the NRRM combines the former Town of Fort Nelson and the Northern Rockies Regional District and covers approximately 85,148.87 km² (32,876.16 sq. miles) — roughly 10% of the province’s landmass.
As a single‑tier local government, the NRRM delivers municipal and regional services across the entire area, including responsibility for rural public roads, rural property tax collection, rural subdivision approvals, and region‑wide planning, land‑use and bylaw enforcement. The region contains one larger community, several small rural settlements, and three First Nations, and includes a substantial stretch of the historic Alaska Highway — a key transportation corridor serving the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaska.
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Media Contact:
Alycia Gregory
Communications and Administrative Coordinator
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
P: 250.774.2541 x2035
E: communications@northernrockies.ca
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