Municipal Governance & Operations Experts / Business Planning & Development Professionals
About the Partners
Dean brings over 45 years of progressive leadership and municipal administration experience to his role as Partner at HMC Management Inc. Throughout his career, Dean has developed a strong reputation for his leadership, strategic thinking, direct and collaborative approach and commitment to excellence in governance and community development.
Before joining HMC, Dean has served in various senior municipal administrative roles across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where he has demonstrated a consistent commitment to public service, operational excellence and effective governance. Positions Dean has worked in range from Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture to Director of Planning and Development to Director of Economic and Community Development to Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). His extensive background has given him a deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities facing local governments today.
Dean’s extensive knowledge of municipal operations, combined with a strategic and evidence-based/results-driven approach, has made him a respected advisor in the areas of CAO and senior management recruitment, governance reviews, organizational reviews and restructuring, and long-range integrated strategic planning. His experience working with councils, administrators and stakeholders has equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate complex municipal challenges with professionalism and integrity.
As a licensed and certified Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Dean has provided direct CAO services to several municipalities (urban and rural) and fully and practically understands how Councils and municipal governments in general operate and can transform this knowledge to any municipal setting.
While involved in the recreation business, Dean is a charter member of the Canadian Recreation Facilities Council (CRFC). In June 2013, Dean received the CRFC’s Award of Excellence for his outstanding service and contributions from 1986 to 1990 as the organization’s founding President.
Dean is a charter member of the Saskatchewan Recreation Facilities Association. He acted as their President for three years and was honoured by the Association with a Life Membership Award in 1990 for his volunteer contributions. In 1987, Dean also chaired the Saskatchewan Recreation Society (known today as the Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals) and provided leadership and direction to both provincial organizations simultaneously.
Dean was also recognized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in 2002 as their Outstanding Volunteer to FCM’s International Programs, completing eight years of work overseas in the Philippines, primarily in the areas of municipal governance and strategic planning, of which he authored and developed a nationwide resource on that topic. In 2010, Dean also worked for FCM as a municipal expert in strategic planning for Ukraine’s Municipal Local Economic Development Program.
In March 2013, Dean was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor-General of Canada, which is awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to strengthening local government across Canada. Dean was nominated by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for his international development work completed via FCM’s International Program.
Being on both sides of the table as an administrator and now as a consultant has placed Dean in a unique position to assist HMC’s clients in meeting their needs since he has direct experience and truly understands how local government operates from an elected and administrative perspective.
Inter-municipal relations and relationship building are also areas of strength for Dean. He has many years of direct experience in dealing both with urban and rural municipal council issues and solutions during his municipal government career, having worked directly in the areas of municipal governance, community planning and development (OCP and zoning bylaw administration and management and building inspections in particular), land sales and development and management, joint recreation service delivery, financial inter-relationships including tax sharing agreements, and joint economic development ventures.
Dean’s pragmatic and solutions-focused mindset, combined with his strong communication and planning skills, dedicated work ethic and decades of experience, allows him to support municipal clients in building strong, sustainable organizations that are responsive to the needs of their communities.
His trademark direct approach combined with his collaborative leadership style, depth of expertise, hands-on experience and commitment to ethical standards makes him a trusted advisor to councils and administrative teams alike, contributing in a meaningful way to their success.
Larry brings a diversified background to the partnership of HMC Management Inc., working initially in the municipal and not-for-profit recreation industries from 1980 to 1992 in several management positions, including being the first Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Recreation Facilities Association.
Starting in 1992, Larry has been in the economic development field, primarily in organization planning and development and project and business development.
Larry was the General Manager for the Mainline Rural Development Corporation for 5 years. In 2007 Larry received the Premier’s Award of Excellence in Public Service (Quality Service Honorable Mention in recognition of outstanding performance by Saskatchewan public servants). Moving into the private sector, Larry was the contract Manager for the Mainline Regional Economic Development Authority for 12 years and worked as a partner in HMC Management before dedicating all of his time to HMC Management Inc.
A proponent of a well-thought-out process, Larry has significant experience developing new, from the ground up and restructuring and modernizing existing for-profit and not-for-profit companies, including corporate structures, corporate governance, policy, financing, and operations.
Larry brings practical experience in financial and budget modelling and analysis, having developed budget models for companies and organizations ranging from regional not-for-profit organizations to multi-million-dollar private corporations.
Larry has successfully transferred those skills and knowledge into the areas of municipal legislative compliance, governance, policy development, and finance, and their unique characteristics, including budget and finance, modelling specific to municipal finances. The unique and customized budget modelling process provides the opportunity not only for basic, detailed budgeting but also reporting and analysis to meet the specific needs of the client municipality.
From January 2020 to July 2020), Larry provided Acting Chief Financial Officer services for the Town of La Ronge, SK, managing a budget of just over $9.5 M, and successfully and significantly increased Council’s financial literacy, overall organizational public accountability, and transparency, and implemented a new and enhanced budget system using HMC’s Customized Budget Modeling Process.
Larry is a volunteer and has been recognized by his peers for his efforts. While involved in the recreation business, Larry was a charter and founding member of the Canadian Recreation Facilities Council and received a Life Membership Award for his contributions to the Saskatchewan Recreation Facilities Association. Continuing his commitment to community and economic development, Larry is a Past President of the Saskatchewan Economic Development Association and receiver of its Ron Munroe Award for dedication and commitment to the organization.
Larry has been a member of the Board of Directors for the East Central Development Corporation (Community Futures) for over 30 years, a member of the Board of the Community Futures Partners of Saskatchewan since its inception, a member of the Community Futures Leadership Institute, Community Futures Board Development Curriculum Committee and has been recognized for his work as Volunteer of the Year in 2007.
Larry brings a straightforward, practical approach to working with clients in assisting them in achieving success.
