TBDSSAB CEO Bill Bradica Celebrates Retirement

Media Release:

September 27, 2024 – Bill Bradica, Chief Executive Officer for The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board, is celebrating his transition to retirement at the end of this week. Incoming CEO, Ken Ranta, will take over effective September 28, 2024.

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Bill first joined TBDSSAB in 2001. He climbed the ranks from Finance Manager to Director of Corporate Services before becoming Chief Administrative Officer in 2012 (title changed to Chief Executive Officer in 2024). Bill has worked for both the federal and provincial governments in the delivery and administration of community housing programs, with much of that experience working with First Nations and with urban Indigenous housing partners. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds an Honours degree in Commerce. Bill announced his retirement plans in January of this year.

Some milestones reached under Bill’s leadership as CEO include:

In 2012, TBDSSAB finished construction and moved into the new headquarters building at 231 May Street South, transitioning all services into one place for the first time in a purpose-built facility.
Implemented strategic planning processes at TBDSSAB, including the development of TBDSSAB’s first comprehensive Strategic Plan in 2014-2017, and subsequent plans for 2017-2020, 2020-2023, 2024-2027.
Supported Board advocacy for increases to homelessness prevention program funding, seeing an increase from $2.6M per year to $16.5M per year over 12 years.
Collaborated with community partners toward the development of 408 new housing units since 2014, including 173 transitional and supported housing units and 235 rent-geared-to-income and affordable housing units.
Served on the Housing Services Corporation Board of Directors from 2015 to 2023 with 4 years as Board Chair.
Co-chaired the Social Housing Modernization Discussion Forum that was convened by the Minister of Housing from 2016 to 2018.
Collaborated with the Board and Municipalities to advocate to MCCSS for amendments to the DSSAB Act in 2017, resulting in more equitable representation from district municipalities on the TBDSSAB Board of Directors.
Facilitated the renewal and enhancement of the Board Governance By-law and organizational policies
Championed the implementation of an employee Wellness program and the establishment of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Table.
Implemented a communications and engagement strategy, including regular surveys of service recipient experience.
Guided the organization through numerous legislative and system changes – including transition to the new provincial Social Assistance Management System (SAMS) in 2014, Ontario Works Program funding reductions in 2019, Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care program (CWELCC) in 2023, and Social Housing Modernization which has been ongoing since 2017.
Established new organizational structures to make programs and services easier for the public to navigate by moving to an ‘Integrated Social Services’ delivery model in 2020.
Steered TBDSSAB through the COVID-19 pandemic, including uninterrupted service delivery as an essential service, administration of pandemic-relief funding, and collaborating with community partner organizations to respond to isolation and overflow shelter needs.

Bill leaves behind a legacy of socially conscious, fiscally responsible service system management. TBDSSAB is grateful for his leadership, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.

Quotes:

“Bill has been a pillar in our community and a strong leader for TBDSSAB. Through his leadership, this organization has gone through trials and tribulations and come out stronger for it. I am grateful to him for his compassionate leadership and diligence in his time as CEO.” – Brian Hamilton, TBDSSAB Board Chair

“Thank you to past and present Board members for their tremendous support over the years. Thank you to the TBDSSAB staff team for your dedication and care in the service of others, it has been an honour to lead such a talented and committed group of professionals.” – Bill Bradica