ST. PAUL – It has been 15 years since the County of St. Paul welcomed Sheila Kitz as its Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
A remarkable feat as the average tenure of a CAO in the province is less than four years, according to a study presented during the 2023 Alberta Municipalities Convention.
But for Kitz, it was time to move on.
Replacing Kitz is Jason Wallsmith, who expressed his admiration for Kitz. Wallsmith officially began work with the County of St. Paul on Jan. 8.
“It’s important to recognize that part of the reason [Kitz] was here for so long are her abilities, the work she did as CAO, and the relationship she both had with staff, the community, and the council,” said Wallsmith.
It's a standard he hopes to be able to continue and maintain.
Asked by Lakeland This Week if staff and the community can expect any big changes, Wallsmith said he is not looking to change things, rather he plans to bolster the good work that has already been happening, and support staff through the transition.
Along with supporting council, “and help them keep moving in the same direction that they’ve been going.” Wallsmith said he saw no major concerns coming into the position.
Speaking about the County’s strategic plan, as well as its ongoing projects, he said, “Everything looks like it’s moving in the right direction in continuing to grow capacity for the community."
Growth
When asked what prompted Wallsmith apply for the CAO position with the County of St. Paul, he said he saw it as an “opportunity for growth.”
Before becoming the County’s CAO, Wallsmith worked as the CAO for the M.D. of Acadia in southern Alberta, east of Calgary. He worked there for five years.
Coming to St. Paul “is an opportunity to expand my skills [and] work within a big organization and take on some bigger projects... and new opportunities,” said Wallsmith.
One of the major projects he had the opportunity to work on with the M.D. of Acadia was the M.D. of Acadia & Special Areas Irrigation Project. The project is a major irrigation expansion project off the Red Deer River in east-central Alberta, that will transition 108,000-acres of land from dryland farming to irrigated farming. This will support the future growth of the nation’s agriculture sector, according to information from the provincial government’s Special Areas Board.
“The project is at a great place now, leaving an opportunity to let somebody else develop it and move it forward. It’s in a fantastic spot, and it was a good time for transition as to not lose that project for the community,” said Wallsmith.
Wallsmith expressed his big hopes for the M.D. of Acadia in the future. “There’s a fantastic group of staff there. A good council doing some fantastic work for their community to settle in... it’s a fantastic place to live and raise your family.”
Plans
Lakeland This Week asked what areas of opportunity Wallsmith is excited to work on in his new role.
He said the continued regionalization of services that has been happening with partnering municipalities in the St. Paul region, while delivering those services as cost-effective as possible for residents, is one area he is excited to delve into.
He also expressed his excitement with the continued regional economic development happening, and finding new opportunities to improve the economy, whether that be in recreational services or tourism.
“[All the while] being prepared on the planning and development side of things to allow for growth and for people to develop properties as they see fit,” added Wallsmith. “And again, with a focus on attracting people to the region, whether it’s for work, live, or play.”
Now officially the new CAO, Wallsmith plans to familiarize himself with the County and its operations and infrastructures, as well as getting to know the staff. He also plans to get out and explore the St. Paul region with his wife when the weather warms up.
Background
Wallsmith studied at Lakeland College for a year, before attending the University of Alberta to complete his Bachelor of Commerce, with a major in Business Economics and Law in 2008.
He then took on a municipal internship program with Lac Ste. Anne County. He stayed there for five years where he also completed his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.
After working for Lac Ste. Anne County, he moved to Strathmore in 2013 to work at the Western Irrigation District as administration manager for almost six years.
Then, he moved to the M.D. of Acadia in 2018 to work as its CAO for another five years, before moving to the County of St. Paul.
