For 36 years, Ken Dobell was a leader in public service in British Columbia, deeply involved in projects shaping our province today and for the future.
After studying engineering at the University of B.C. and the University of Birmingham in England, Mr. Dobell worked with the City of Vancouver on projects such as Expo ’86, the redevelopment of False Creek and Lower Mainland emergency planning upgrades.
He served as City Manager before becoming Translink’s Chief Executive Officer, implementing its first strategic transportation plan and initiating planning for the Canada Line.
In 2001, Mr. Dobell became Deputy Minister to the Premier, managing 30,000 provincial government employees and working on infrastructure projects such as the Canada Line, Pacific Gateway Project, Vancouver Convention Centre, Prince Rupert port development, and the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics.
He took a personal interest in resolving conflicts over the Great Bear Rainforest and in the softwood lumber dispute.
After leaving the public service, Mr. Dobell helped create the Street to Home Foundation and has advised organizations ranging from the BC Lumber Trade Council and Vancouver Airport Authority to Port Metro Vancouver and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
Mr. Dobell’s imprint can be found on many of the most important initiatives our province has seen since the 1970s.