The Town of Irricana will be searching for a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) after Robert Jorgensen resigned June 30.
Citing personal reasons for his departure, Jorgensen leaves a void in the Town Office, which has seen a revolving door for CAOs over the past 18 months.
“I enjoyed working with the Town’s staff,” Jorgensen said. “Irricana is a lovely town, they have a fantastic staff.
“If the staff is allowed to do their jobs with minimal micromanaging, the Town will prosper.”
Jorgensen, who joined the Town staff on Dec. 15, 2014, was the fourth CAO since April 2014: Alvin Melton’s contract was ended by Irricana council on April 22, 2014; Bob Payette resigned Aug. 29, 2014, due to family reasons; and Geoff Stephenson, who was brought in on an interim basis while council searched for a permanent CAO, held the position from Sept. 15 to Dec. 12, 2014.
Council tapped Stephenson to return on an interim basis while a search for Jorgensen’s replacement is conducted.
Jorgensen brought a wealth of experience to the position, with 33 years of working in various administration and CAO roles in counties and towns. He was CAO for 13 years for the rural municipality of Kellross in Saskatchewan and in Two Hills, Alta., for another seven years.
“We were aware that there were some personal challenges early into Robert’s time with us,” Irricana Mayor Valerie Squires said in an email interview July 2. “The challenges did not diminish.
“We wish Robert the very best and hope that things settle for him soon.”
Squires said council came out of an in-camera session at a special meeting on June 30, and unanimously carried a motion accepting Jorgensen’s resignation effective July 2.
Squires added council then re-hired Stephenson to serve as interim CAO. Stephenson refused to comment.
“We are confident that because Geoff is aware of our operations and our needs, there will be virtually no interruption to services provided by the Town,” Squires said. “Our focus at this time is continuity of operations to our residents with the least amount of disruption.”
According to Squires, Stephenson was only hired on an interim basis in his first stint with Irricana and was not retained as permanent CAO because he was not interested in the role.
“Whether or not Geoff or council would consider something more permanent is further down the road,” Squires said.
