ST. PAUL - The County of St. Paul will welcome a new chief administrative officer in the new year.
The County has announced Jason Wallsmith will take over the municipality's top administrative role, replacing long-time CAO Sheila Kitz, who announced earlier this year she would be retiring.
"We knew it would be very difficult to find a replacement for Ms. Kitz, so Council engaged in a professional search process to secure a CAO who could effectively continue to build on Council’s desire for continuous improvement, quality service, investment and attraction, and greater collaboration and engagement with residents and regional stakeholders," Reeve Glen Ockerman stated in a media release.
“Council took great care to find an individual with the right qualifications and character to fulfill this key role. Jason demonstrated through his personality, education, background and experience that he would be a good fit for the County. We look forward to working with him.”
Wallsmith has been the CAO for the Municipal District of Acadia No. 34, located in southeast Alberta, for the past five years. Prior to this, he was administration manager for the Western Irrigation District in Strathmore. He is the president of the Local Government Administration Association of Alberta (LGAA) and a member of the Alberta Rural Municipal Administrators Association (ARMAA).
“My family is looking forward to moving to the community. I also look forward to the opportunity to work with the council and the quality team at the County of St. Paul," Wallsmith stated. "I have long appreciated Sheila Kitz’s work as CAO and viewed the County as being trailblazers with respect to municipal processes, policies and systems. I hope to continue and build on the strategic plan and council’s vision for the County."
Wallsmith's official start date is Jan. 8, 2024.
