Tributes were paid at the full meeting of The Highland Council on Thursday 19th December 2013 to Neil Gillies, Director of Transport Environmental and Community Services, who is retiring on 31 January next year after 35 years service.
Convener Councillor Jimmy Gray and Councillor Graham Phillips, Chair, TEC Services, praised Mr Gillies for his leadership and dedication as director of a crucial frontline service.
Mr Gillies joined the former Highland Regional Council in 1978 after spending a year working in Caithness improving the road from Thurso to the Scrabster Ferry terminal.
In his early career he worked on a wide range of civil engineering projects including roads, bridges, and marine works.
He then made the move to road maintenance, working in the Inverness and Nairn areas, where he had responsibilities for both the Council and trunk road networks.
The loss of the trunk road contact in 2001 had a significant impact on the Council and resulted in 3 Council Services coming together to form TEC Services, and Mr Gillies was appointed as Head of Roads and Community Works in 2002.
He was appointed Director of TECS in December 2007 and during his time at the helm has worked under three Chairs, Charlie King (Mallaig), John Laing (Dunvegan) and now Graham Phillips.
Attending his last meeting of the full council, Mr Gillies said:”It has been a privilege to work for the Highland Council over the past 35 years, and when I look back it is good to see the difference that TEC Services has made to the Highlands in terms of improvements to our road and bridge network, flood protection, and our waste management services. All of these improvements could not have happened without a great team, and I would pay tribute to my staff and to our Elected Members for their support over many years.”