Flagstaff County will say farewell this week to Assistant CAO Brent Hoyland, who is retiring after being with the county for 32 years and seven months.

“It’s gone by so quickly,” Hoyland says, reminiscing about his long career.

He says he feels fortunate that he was able to stay with the organization that long, and able to assume additional responsibilities and roles.

Hoyland started as Agricultural Fieldman in 1990, and held that position for the next 20 years. In 2002, Development Officer was added to his duties, and that as time went on he oversaw Economic Development, Communications, Emergency Services, and the Ag. Service Board, resulting in his appointment as Assistant CAO.

Hoyland hasn’t strayed far from his roots. He grew up in Viking, but says both great grandparents homesteaded in Flagstaff County, near Killam and Strome.

He attended Lakeland College after school, interested in pursuing Conservation, Reclamation, with some agricultural courses thrown in.

Hoyland says he first learned about Ag Fieldman through 4-H where he heard one speak. “I was intrigued.”

After college he worked in the oil and gas industry, but when the opportunity came to use his education, he took it.

His first official role in the field came in 1988 when he landed the Assistant Ag. Fieldman job in Camrose County.

When the position of Ag. Fieldman came up in Flagstaff County a couple of years later, he applied for the job.

Hoyland says he’d also worked summers for Beaver County as weed inspector.

He says the role of Ag. Fieldman has remained relatively consistent over the past 75 years in Alberta, but that other things have changed, including the loss of the provincial District Agriculturalist.

He moved out of the role of Ag. Fieldman as he assumed more responsibility.

“It’s been a very challenging but very rewarding experience. As I look back through my career, I really enjoyed the role of Ag. Fieldman the most. I did a lot of that work out of the office, and had the opportunity to connect to area farmers more.

“I’m not critical of the other roles, through this position I’ve been able to acquire an immense diversity of skills, and dealt with some complex issues.

“I’ve had a very rewarding career here; I’m very fortunate.”

Hoyland says he made the decision to retire two years ago. “I’m not too sure what the future will hold. For now I will take some time to relax and sort out my future.

“There are lots of things I’ve put off that’ll keep me busy, at least in the short term.”

He has no plans to leave the area: “I’m staying; this is home.”

As Hoyland reflects over his long career, he says, “Every day in municipal government there’s always a challenge. I’ve worked with some really good Councils, and have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Shelly (Armstrong, CAO of Flagstaff County). I’ve had wonderful staff members to work with over the years.”

Hoyland is very proud of some of the new initiatives he’s been directly involved with, like those from the county Economic Development department, and Communications.

“And it’s been an honour…”

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Leslie Cholowsky
Editor