Rocky View County council announced on Friday it had re-appointed of Rick McDonald as the County’s Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective October 1st, 2023. This decision comes as council begins its search for a permanent CAO.
According to the RVC press release, McDonald holds a certification in Local Government Administration from the University of Alberta, and "boasts extensive executive-level experience," including past services as interim CAO for Rocky View County and other various Alberta municipalities.
Given his previous experience with the County's operations, McDonald is considered a good choice to aid with ongoing transition to a new CAO. His primary focus will be to guide the organization as the search for a permanent CAO progresses and work closely with RVC council to further the County's goals.
The press release stated of McDonald's appointment that, "Council remains dedicating to ensuring a smooth transition, reflecting the County's dedication to excellence."
RVC council announced it would be firing former CAO Dorian Wanzura after its council meeting on Aug. 1. In the same statement, the County confirmed it would be appointing Executive Director of Operations Byron Riemann as acting CAO until a permanent replacement for Wandzura can be chosen. He will presumably return to his former position with the appointment of McDonald.
