Turner Valley has found its new CAO.

The town has formally announced that Shawn Patience has been appointed to the role.

He was one of over 50 applicants, with his prior experience in municipal management including four terms on Fort Macleod council and three as their mayor, as well as having served as occupying the role as Chief Administrative Officer in two other communities.

Mayor Barry Crane says that kind of diverse background will be an asset.

"He has a blend of elected official, as well as CAO experience. That's going to really be able to let him manage the team from both sides of the fence, both from an elected side and a management-side to build the team that a town really needs."

According to a release from the town, he also oversaw amalgamations in Wabamun and Granum.

Crane says that played a big role in the decision to bring him aboard, given the ongoing amalgamation talks between Turner Valley and Black Diamond.

"It was definitely a priority that we had someone who had experience in amalgamations to walk us through some of these processes and really be a team player at the forefront of the discussion."

He says Patience's experience in economic development, for which he's been recognized with several awards from the Economic Developers Association of Alberta and Canada, will also be extremely valuable for the town's long-term economic goals.

His other accolades include a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for significant contributions to the community, a National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration, and a Land Use Planning designation from the University of Alberta.

He'll be assuming the role on March 29th.

Mayor Crane was also quoted in the release from the town thanking Heather Thomson for serving as interim CAO.

"She very capably managed the day-to-day business of the municipality and will continue to be a strong support for the incoming CAO. We appreciate Ms. Thomson’s commitment to
Council and our residents through the transition."

 

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