The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has officially begun searching for a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) after the last incoming CAO only lasted four months.
Thomas Kelly was announced as Chatham-Kent’s next CAO in November, but the municipality announced on Thursday that Kelly was no longer an employee with the municipality.
The municipality said it has retained Waterhouse to help hire the new person.
“Waterhouse is a well-regarded firm with a proven track record in executive recruitment,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff.
The process is expected to take approximately three months, according to municipal officials.
The municipality said Chris Thibert has been named interim General Manager of Infrastructure Engineering Services, which was Kelly's last official position. Thibert recently served as the director of Engineering and Transportation and has been employed by the municipality since 2016.
Director of Public Works Ryan Brown will be accepting increased responsibility for the Wheatley gas emission investigation.
Don Shropshire, who was to retire in December, remains in the CAO position for now.
“I have every belief that the citizens of Chatham-Kent will be well served by Chris and Ryan during this time of transition,” said Shropshire. "The search for a General Manager of Infrastructure Engineering Services will begin once we are further along in the CAO search process.”