By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Following what officials call a “rigorous recruitment process,” Chatham-Kent has appointed its first deputy chief administrative officer.
Dave Taylor, the municipality’s current director of legal services, has been named to the post, according to a municipal media release.
Taylor, a lawyer who holds a law degree and a master’s degree in public administration from Western University, brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, according to a municipal press release. A Chatham-Kent employee since 2012, Taylor holds a certificate in long-term care leadership, and is also a municipal law instructor in the law government program at Western.
According to the release, Taylor’s new portfolio will focus on overseeing several divisions within Chatham-Kent, but he will also be tasked with advancing Chatham-Kent’s advocacy efforts with senior levels of government. This will include communicating C-K’s unique needs and opportunities to the provincial and federal governments, with a focus on financial sustainability.
The release stated Taylor has experience in municipal advocacy, having led parts of the efforts to lobby the province in the wake of the 2021 Wheatley explosion.
Taylor brings extensive volunteerism to the job as well and currently sits on the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance board.
Previously, he held seats on the boards of the Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent and the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre.
Taylor said he’s looking forward to the job.
“I am thrilled to continue my journey serving our amazing community in this new capacity,” Taylor explained. “Throughout my career, I have been inspired by the passion and commitment of our mayor, council, and community groups to make Chatham-Kent a great place to live, work, and visit. I am committed to using my new role to continue the municipality’s goal of delivering quality services and improving Chatham-Kent for all of our citizens.”
The deputy CAO role was created following the retirement of C-K general manager of corporate services Cathy Hoffman, the release said. Her responsibilities will be redistributed amongst the executive management team.
Mayor Darrin Canniff, Entegrus president & CEO Jim Hogan, Oxford County CAO Ben Addley, Leamington CAO Peter Neufeld, Chatham-Kent CAO Michael Duben and Hoffman were part of the decision-making team that reviewed applications for the position.
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