Seven months after stepping into the chief executive's role at Peninsula Co-op, Ron Heal has decided to step down from a post he once considered a dream job.
Citing a young family and the need to find a better work-life balance, Heal is resigning from the co-operative effective Oct. 31.
"I have a family with four young kids and I have consumed myself in work the last couple of years very heavily and I need to get a better work-life balance," Heal said. "I decided I can't do both, so I will find something that isn't quite as demanding on my time.
This level is not only timeconsuming but mind-consuming as well."
Heal, 42, who has spent his entire business career working in co-ops, set his sights on the Peninsula Co-op's top job after he joined the board in 1999.
After 13 years as the company's controller, Heal spent the last year as general manager in a grooming to take over the chief executive role when Pat Fafard retired earlier this year.
Heal admitted walking away from the Co-op is difficult.
"It was a very emotional couple of days last week after I handed in my resignation because of what the organization and all the people here mean to me," Heal said. "I always tell the staff they are like a second family and they are."
The Peninsula Co-op has 58,000 members, a figure that has grown by about 4,000 each year as the company has expanded operations in Mill Bay and Duncan. Its annual sales are in excess of $170 million.
The company employs 320, has 15 retail gas bars, five commercial card-lock facilities, a home-heating division and a food store.
The Co-op's board of directors has started to look for a replacement. Heal is considering his next move.
"I have a couple of options ... some good opportunities in front of me," he said. "I'm confident the board will find a very strong candidate to run the Co-op." [email protected]
