It’s been a long, exhausting search said Irricana Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Geoff Stephenson, but the Town has hired a permanent CAO, Robert Jorgensen, to start Dec. 15.
The news of a new CAO was announced at a special meeting of council on Nov. 26, the same day Jorgensen signed his offer letter.
“I’m very excited to start,” Jorgensen said. “The staff made my wife and (me) so welcome and at home on our visit (on Dec. 3).”
“We are very lucky to have him,” Mayor Valerie Squires said in council. “The town will no doubt benefit from his experience.”
Jorgensen said he has 33 years of experience working in various administration and CAO roles for counties and towns, including CAO for Rural Municipality of Kellross, Sask., for 13 years and CAO for Two Hills, Alta., for seven years.
He said his experience in “putting out fires” will be especially useful for Irricana in light of the council’s recent overtaxing issue.
“I’m not nervous,” Jorgensen said. “I’m used to dealing with the public and council and I follow the rules which is important. I’ve been putting out fires in Willington (for eight months).”
Stephenson said the search for a new CAO started on Aug. 26 when then-CAO Bob Payette resigned during the week of Aug. 29 for family reasons.
Town council hired Stephenson as interim CAO on Sept. 15 while they completed their search for someone more permanent. Stephenson’s last day as CAO is Dec. 12.
Since August, Stephenson said council has gone through more than 45 resumes for the position. He said he contacted Jorgensen specifically based on his qualifications and asked if he would be interested in the job.
“I sent my resume to council and they interviewed me via Skype,” Jorgensen said. “They feel I’m a good fit.”
Jorgensen said he accepted the position because the stability of the job and the Town was attractive to him and his wife.
At the Nov. 24 meeting, some residents expressed concerns about the new CAO.
Norm Medley, local business owner, asked council if the new CAO was moving to Irricana, expressing concerns because a former CAO employed by the Town commuted from another town.
“If he’s not, he shouldn’t be CAO,” he said.
Stephenson confirmed at council and after the meeting that Jorgensen is currently looking to relocate to Irricana.
Jorgensen said he and his wife will either build or buy a house in the area, adding Irricana is where the two plan to retire in the next 10 years.
Stephenson said Jorgenson is especially equipped for the town because of his abilities to help grow organizations.
“There is some reorganization going on (in Irricana) and Robert is more than capable of supporting that,” Stephenson said. “I have absolute confidence in him.”
Stephenson said though he is moving on, working for Irricana was a great experience.
“It’s been fun.” Stephenson said. “The staff is great and this is a very engaged community.”
Jorgensen said in his new role, he wants Irricana residents to know, “My door is always open and I’m opening to listening and getting to know residents.”
