Municipality of Port Hope to Welcome New Chief Administrative Officer this Fall

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: City Hall, Local

The Municipality of Port Hope is pleased to announce that Council has appointed David Smith as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective September 21, 2020.

“On behalf of Council, I would like to welcome Mr. Smith to the community and share that we are very much looking forward to working with him this fall,” notes Bob Sanderson, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope.

“Mr. Smith joins our strong management team during a complex time in our community’s history, as we continue to navigate the challenges brought on by the global pandemic. I am confident Mr. Smith’s broad leadership experience will support the Municipality as we forge ahead and continue to deliver on the priorities set out in the Strategic Plan.”

Mr. Smith brings a wealth of municipal government experience and corporate leadership to the position. In his current role as CAO of the Town of Saugeen Shores, Mr. Smith provides executive level strategic advice to a nine member council, oversees and administers a multi-million dollar budget, delivers on Council strategic priorities, led an organizational review, and implemented an award-winning communications strategy, among many other leadership roles and responsibilities.

Previously, he has held the position of CAO for the Town of Halton Hills, as well as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager, in the Community, Culture, and Recreation Services Department for the City of Waterloo. He has also held various management positions at the City of Mississauga.

In his community, Mr. Smith serves on the Hydro Board of Directors, and has negotiated an agreement with one of the world’s largest nuclear facilities to create, host, and lead a Municipal Innovation Council. Additionally, he has successfully implemented a shift in community advisory committees to leverage community expertise.

“Port Hope is well known as a wonderful community, rich with heritage, vibrancy, and culture,” adds Mr. Smith. “I am delighted with the opportunity to join the team and I look forward to moving to the area and working alongside Council, staff and the community, to advance the Municipality’s strategic priorities.”

A CAO selection committee comprised of Mayor Sanderson, Deputy Mayor Andrews, Councillor Carr, and the Human Resources Manager was struck in May 2020 and worked with Waterhouse Executive Search to lead the recruitment and selection process for the position. The candidate selection was unanimously confirmed by Council.

The CAO position was included in the 2020 Municipal budget for the first time since 2015. Since that time, the organizational structure has operated on a modified leadership model, fulfilling the role of CAO with senior management collectively implementing corporate decisions and delivering on Council’s strategic direction.

Mr. Smith will be appointed by By-law at an upcoming meeting of Council.