ERIN – After an extensive search the town of Erin has appointed Rob Adams as their new chief administrative officer.
Starting his new position March 11, the council called Adams a "great fit" for Erin in a new release citing his experience as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Whitchurch-Stouville and Grey Highlands and saying they believe in his ability to take the town forward in "a meaningful way."
Before he became a CAO, Adams served four terms as the Warden of Dufferin County and was a multi-term mayor and councillor in Orangeville.
"As our new CAO, we look forward to working with Rob to position Erin as the green gem on the shoulder of the GTA," said Mayor Michael Dehn, in the news release. "Rob’s vision includes holding onto our rural roots while moving Erin forward along a sustainable path that will manage planned growth, evolve our local economy and support existing residents."
Most recently the head instructor of the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasures Ontario (AMCTO), Adams is also an instructor with York University Schulich ExecEd and OMAA (Ontario Municipal Administrators Association) and the CAO Leadership Program and formerly worked in the IT sector.
"Adams leads with a desire to empower, listen and engage, and his experience as a proven municipal leader will allow him to balance the demands of growth with Erin’s deep desire to retain its rural character and unique charm," said Dehn in the release.
The release also thanked Fire Chief Jim Sawkins for stepping in as interim CAO last summer when former CAO Nathan Hyde left for Caledon after more than six years in Erin.
Starting its search shortly after Hyde's departure, council directed town staff to hire a consultant last year to help with the search despite the financial cost anticipated to be upwards of $100,000.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
