The Town of High River is hunting for a new Town Manager.

Tom Maier has retired and Mayor Craig Snodgrass wishes him all the best, but says he'll be tough to replace.

"It's never easy when you lose a CAO, especially of Tom's calibre. We wish him well, he's done a great job for the Town of High River and you look at where we were at before the flood and where we're at today, especially on the financial end of things. That's all the result of Tom Maier being here."

Snodgrass says while they're searching for a new Manager, the Head of Corporate Services, Nicole Chepil will take over.

"She's agreed to just help us out for a little bit here. We're just starting to get the plan into place as to what recruitment is going to look like and how we're going to do that. Primarily defining what kind of individual we want that's going to fit the Town of High River and the culture that we have within this organization."

Snodgrass says they'll take their time looking for a New Manager, to make sure they find the person who's the best fit for the Town.

Snodgrass says Maier will be tough to replace, and it's not something they're feeling a sense of urgency over.

"The most reckless thing that you can possible do is rush this process. So, we're in good hands, we've got great staff over there. We're lucky and there's no emergency to this at all. We've been talking about this for a while, knowing that Tom doesn't want to work for the Town of High River until he's 95."

Maier was the Town's Chief Financial Officer from 2012 to 2016, before moving into the Town Manager role.

In a release from the Town, Maier says he enjoyed his time with the Town.

“I have given my all to help make High River a better place to work, live and play. When I arrived in 2012, I had one focus and that was to make a positive difference,” says Maier. “I can feel proud that I have assisted in strengthening the organization to meet its challenges and opportunities now and for generations to come.”

“The Town and the community have tremendous opportunities ahead under the guidance and leadership of Town Council and the employees of this organization,” adds Maier. “I would like to thank Town Council, my co-workers, and the community for the support that everyone has shown me over the past seven years. I have truly appreciated the opportunity to serve the residents and businesses of High River during a very important period in its history.”

Town of High River staff are excited to move into a new era with exciting challenges and opportunities and will strive to continue to serve the community with the highest level of service.

 

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