Lakeshore Advance, 2013-08-14, Page 22 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, August 14, 2013
New CAO says his eyes are wide open
Lynda HIIIman-Replay
QMI Agency
From the city of Kawatha Lakes to
i.ambton Shores, new CA() Kevin Wil-
liams is looking forward to this new
opportunity and considers himself to
he an "open leader, with an aini to build
consensus, and enable collaboration."
Williams was born and raised in
Oshawa. Ile has an I lonours Science
degree from Lakehead University with
subsequent certification in municipal
management through Loyalist College.
1 lis career began 25 years ago with
parks and facility management, most
recently In the dual position as Director
of Community Services with the City of
Kawartha 1,akes and CEO of the
18- branch Kawartha Lakes Public
Library. For the past 10 years the work
In Kawartha bakes has Included work at
the senior management level develop-
ing the municipal administration fol-
lowing the 2001 amalgamation
process.
Before applying to this position
which became available after the sud-
den departure of long-time CA() John
Byrnes last November, Williams was
not "intimately familiar with each cor-
ner of l.antbton Shores", but he "was
certainly aware of the major centres,
and of course the municipalities envia-
ble location on the shores of Lake
I Iuron."
When Byrnes left, the community
was informed the rational for his depar-
ture was so Lambton Shores could go in
a different direction. That motivation
has never been fully explained and Wil-
liams says, "I am not expressly aware of
what has been said, hut I do know that
with any new hire it is reasonable to
look for different experiences and fresh
perspectives...new eyes and ears as it
is...and mine are wide open!"
'ihe Municipal Act provides a concise
definition of roles for both the CA() and
Council and Williams reiterates that the
(;AO is accountable to Council for the
general administration and operation
of the Municipality, and also to assist
Council in its decision making through
the provision of timely and accurate
information,
Mayor 13111 Weber says, "The hiring
process wits focused on looking for a
CA() with a good Fit for Lambton
Shores, and with Mr. Williams as CAO
we have a achieved that goal. With
Kevin leading our team of excellent
employees, 1 ant looking forward to
many years of great things for Lambton
Shores"
Williams began his Lambton Shores
CAO Kevin Williams with Lambton Shores mayor Bill Weber
career August 1st but has already loves what it has
to offer. "Physically, the contniunity is beautiful,
and what Netter time to arrive than with the Com-
munities in Bloom tour was in progress last week.
The enthusiasm of the volunteers is obvious...and
infectious. It is evident that citizens, staff and
members of Council all care about the community,
so 1 hope to contribute to the ongoing process of
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
building respectful relationships, enabling part-
nerships and generally advancing the will of
Council."
When not wearing the (:AO hat, William s says
he is an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying both skiing
and curling in the winter, but his real passion is
sailing. William's wife is Janet and they have two
grown daughters in university.
Grand Bend
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