COQUITLAM, B.C., April 13, 2023 – Following a nation-wide search, Coquitlam has found a new City Manager with in-depth knowledge of the community and organization.
Earlier today, City Council officially appointed Raul Allueva, Coquitlam’s Deputy Manager since 2019, to the role of City Manager following the retirement of former City Manager Pete Steblin earlier this year.
Allueva has been serving as interim City Manager for several months. With almost 13 years in Coquitlam senior management, his promotion to the City’s top leadership position brings continuity to the organization and a renewed energy to deliver the goals of Coquitlam’s Strategic Plan and priorities of the annual Business Plan.
Comprehensive Canada-wide Search
Coquitlam engaged the services of an executive search firm to lead the recruitment for its new City Manager, the organization’s most senior member of staff.
The City Manager oversees the broad requirements of the organization, provides advice to Council and executes its decisions, and works with the City’s senior management and all departments to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services.
The comprehensive cross-country search kicked off in January and attracted a number of high-calibre executive-level professionals, both internally and externally. After careful consideration, City Council identified Allueva as the successful candidate.
Given the scope and complexity of this important leadership role, City Council ensured the recruitment process was rigorous and gave very careful consideration to the selection of the new City Manager,” advised Mayor Richard Stewart. “Our Council has tremendous confidence in the City’s staff team, and we know that Raul Allueva is the right individual to take us forward, and continue Coquitlam’s tradition of strong leadership and award-winning, service excellence.
Allueva Brings Stability and Proven Value to the City
Allueva brings extensive knowledge and experience to his new role based on 13 years with Coquitlam and more than 32 years in municipal government, much of that time in leadership positions.
In his four years as Deputy City Manager, Allueva was the City’s second-in-command and periodically acted as City Manager while assisting with the function of the City Manager’s office, in addition to his other leadership duties. His previous posts with Coquitlam were as General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture from 2013 to 2019 and Manager of Development Services from 2010 to 2013.
During his time with Coquitlam, Allueva has distinguished himself with his leadership, energy and ability to conceive, communicate and deliver visionary projects.
This was recently demonstrated as he ably helped lead the organization through the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, including serving as executive sponsor for Coquitlam’s award-winning Community Support and Recovery Plan. The City’s response plan, which received a Presidents Committee Choice Award in 2021 from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, fostered broad community resilience and long-term recovery by investing almost $4 million in direct relief to residents, businesses and organizations.
As Deputy City Manager, Allueva has also been instrumental in the development and delivery of the 2020 to 2023 Strategic Plan as well as negotiating the City’s innovative partnership with the YMCA and Concert Properties – a complex, multi-year deal that brought new public amenities to Burquitlam and significant savings to the City.
Other key accomplishments included leading various joint-use field and school and public service partnerships with School District #43 that have resulted in cost-effective service delivery, and shaping the far-sighted Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan that was unanimously endorsed by Council and continues to provide a framework and plan for future services.
City Council and previous managers have established a strong foundation in City governance and highly effective administration, and I am both honoured and excited to support that tradition,” said newly appointed City Manager, Raul Allueva. “I am also committed to continuing Coquitlam’s journey towards Reconciliation and inclusivity. I look forward to working closely with Council and all City partners to continue to build capacity, strengthen our community’s resiliency and deliver the services our community values.
About Raul Allueva, City Manager
Raul Allueva was promoted to City Manager in March 2023 after almost 13 years with Coquitlam as Deputy City Manager from 2019 to spring 2023, General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture from 2013 to 2019 and Manager of Development Services from 2010 to 2013. He has worked in municipal government for over three decades, primarily in leadership roles.
As City Manager, Allueva oversees the organization’s broad requirements, advises Council and executes its decisions, and works with senior management and all departments to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. In his four years as second-in-command, Allueva acted as City Manager while assisting with the function of the City Manager’s office.
Notable achievements included serving as executive sponsor for Coquitlam’s award-winning pandemic Community Support and Recovery Plan, negotiating a complex multi-year deal with the YMCA and Concert Properties to bring new amenities to Burquitlam, and orchestrating various joint-use partnerships with School District #43.
After earning a Master’s Degree in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning, Allueva pursued roles of increasing challenge and responsibility in Saanich, Surrey, Richmond and Coquitlam.
An energetic and creative leader and keen negotiator, Allueva is recognized for his ability to motivate others, build relationships, and conceive, communicate and deliver visionary projects.
Headshot - Raul Allueva: https://www.flickr.com/gp/cityofcoquitlam/7G0231ZK2r
Media contact:
Kathleen Vincent
Manager, Communications and Civic Engagement
604-218-1319
media@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.