Climb every mountain

GETTING TO KNOW … NEW CITY CAO HORACIO GALANTI

WITH JIM ZANG

WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, new City of Airdrie Chief Administrative Officer Horacio Galanti’s senior leadership background includes extensive experience across a wide variety of local government departments such as engineering, planning, infrastructure, transportation, public works, community safety, social services, economic development, and sustainability.

Not only is he an experienced leader in reaching new heights professionally, but also in his personal life, having been the leader on multiple expeditions to the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, the north and south poles, as well as Mount Everest summits from both faces via Nepal and Tibet. He also enjoys ultra-mountain trail running and has completed the Canadian Death Race Solo multiple times. airdrielife sat down with Horacio one sunny afternoon in early October to get to know him better.

Q: When and where were you born? A: I was born and raised in the province and city of Cordoba, in Argentina, in 1970. It’s a city of around two million people.

Q: When did you come to Canada? A: I came to Canada in 2004 and lived in Vancouver for a year. I had a choice of Vancouver or Toronto and decided on the West Coast. Q: What did your mom and dad do? A: My mom was a homemaker and my dad was a bank employee. He worked for the same bank for 42 years, something we don’t see these days anymore!

Q: Do you have any brothers and/ or sisters? A: I have an older sister who is a doctor in the U.S.

Q: Where did you go to university and what did you major in? A: I went to university in Cordoba and have a degree in Civil Engineering. It’s a six-year program down there.

Q: Are you married? A: I’m married to the mountains.

Q: Do you have any kids? A: No, but I have two little Yorkies named Barky and Sparky.

Q: What attracted you to Airdrie? A: I had been Director of Infrastructure for five years and City Manager for four years in Grande Prairie. When a friend of mine, previous Airdrie Chief Administrative Officer Paul Schulz mentioned he was retiring, I thought it would be a great opportunity.

Q: Is there any person or mentor who has had a positive influence on you along the way? A: Carlos Prato, my Structural Dynamics & Earthquakes professor at university. He was a really smart man who was kind enough to take an interest and mentor me in a long-term career path.

Q: What was your first vehicle and what do you drive now? A: My first car was a Renault, in the mid-1990s. I drive a Ford Escape right now. It’s practical. I’m pretty low key on cars.

Q: Have you settled in Airdrie yet? A: I’ve been in town since mid-August, living in Luxstone. I started work August 29th, so haven’t had time to look for a house yet. I’m still trying to get to know all the neighbourhoods. I bike and run a lot, so like to be close to paths.

Q: Do you have a favourite childhood memory? A: I loved visiting the mountain and lake areas of Mendoza, in Argentina. It’s where Malbec wine comes from. I’m going back for a climb and to visit friends in 2023.

Q: Your mountain climbing exploits are impressive – you’ve climbed Mount Everest twice - what’s next? A: One mountain I want to climb is Mount Logan in the Yukon. I’m hoping to do it in 2024. I’ve climbed the highest mountain in each continent, my seven-summit goal, and it’s the highest in Canada.

Q: What do you see your role as the new Chief Administrative Officer being? A: I’m ultimately responsible for all City operations, which includes about 50 different business units, as well as approximately $200 million in business operational budget and another $50 million in capital budget. My job is to implement Council decisions according to the Strategic Plan. I help develop the plans and execute them to make things happen on time, on stratgey and on budget.

Q: When you’re not working or climbing mountains, where do you like to vacation? A: I’ve been to the Caribbean, and it’s great. But, for me, it’s the mountains.

Q: Book or TV? A: Book. The last one I read was a Spanish book: In the Limits of the Earth, Touching the Sky, of course. (Laughing)

Q: What’s your favourite meal? A: My favourite is a good barbecued steak, but these days I’m mostly vegan.

Q: What type of music do you like? What’s playing on your car radio right now? A: You can’t live without music. I have different play lists depending on what I’m doing. In my car, I listen to a variety of stations. I like to hear the local news.

Q: What’s your idea of a perfect evening out? A: An evening out? For me? (Laughing) A good run in the mountains.

Q: What do you like best about Airdrie so far? A: The people! I have had an amazing and welcoming atmosphere at work and with the Community in general. Airdrie is a great place to be! life