HRM appoints new chief administrative officer
Posted Dec 14, 2022 01:19:00 PM.
Halifax Regional Municipality has appointed a new chief administrative officer.
Cathie O'Toole officially takes over the position on Jan. 1 with her first day in the office on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
O'Toole most recently served as the general manager of Halifax Water, a role she has held since 2019. Prior to that, she was the utility's director of corporate services/CFO.
She also has previous experience working with the HRM, spending 10 years in a variety of roles including director of finance/CFO and director of infrastructure and asset management.
“This is the right time and the right place for Cathie's inspiring, collaborative leadership,” Mayor Mike Savage stated in a news release.
“Her dedication to public service, as well as a proven track record of effective financial and operational management and delivering results, will be invaluable to our amazing staff as we continue to embrace the many opportunities and challenges of our fast-growing municipality.”
Earlier this year, outgoing CAO Jacques Dube announced his plan to resign on December 31.
He has been in the role since September of 2016.
The CAO oversees a municipal budget of over $1 billion and a team of approximately 5,000 employees.
With O’Toole leaving Halifax Water, the search to replace her as general manager begins immediately.
The utility's board of commissioners is expected to appoint Louis de Montbrun as acting general manager.
He's the current director of corporate services/ chief financial officer.
