Council has found the person to helm the city’s ship, announcing Monday that Wayne Staudt is the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Staudt was appointed to the position during the Monday, October 22 council meeting.
This ends the city’s search for its new chief of staff which began in June with the departure of former CAO Will Pearce, who left to take a position with the City of Vernon.
“We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne Staudt as CAO for the City of Cranbrook,” said Mayor Wayne Stetski.
“Mr. Staudt has a long history with our community and his vision for what he would like to accomplish for the next few years resonated well with council.”
Staudt has been the city’s Director of Finance sine 2002. Before that he was Director of Finance for what was then Cranbrook Regional Hospital. He also spent many years as a partner in the chartered accountancy firm Maki Staudt. He has lived in Cranbrook since 1978.
“We have many challenges, but challenges are just another opportunity to be creative,” said Staudt.
The current council is the fifth Wayne Staudt has worked with during his tenure with the City of Cranbrook.
He was acting CAO during the search for Will Pearce, and again since June this year when Pearce stepped down.
“Personally I have been very impressed with Mr. Staudt’s approach to problem solving and his interest in doing the right thing for Cranbrook in his capacity as interim CAO,” said Mayor Stetski.
“I am very confident in his ability to lead our great staff, to work with residents and to help build a better future for this special place we call home.”
Staudt has agreed to take the position of CAO until 2015, when he plans to retire.
As Director of Finance, Staudt contributed to the termination of the P3 agreement with Keen Rose at the Rec Plex, construction of a new library, a new air terminal building and expansion of the airport at Canadian Rockies International Airport, and leading the city’s budget process for the past decade.
“A strong business community is a good thing for all of us and our business sector plays a major role in assisting folks who need a helping hand,” said Staudt.
The city will now begin the recruitment process to replace Staudt as the Director of Finance.
