INNISFAIL – The Town of Innisfail is making a major change within its senior management team.
In a news release issued on Nov. 8, Todd Becker, the town's chief administrative officer (CAO), said Frank Colosimo, who served as the community's director of operational services over the past year, was relieved of his duties on Nov. 7.
Colosimo was also the interim chief administrative officer during the transition period last summer after former CAO Helen Dietz retired and before Becker officially assumed the top civic administrative post in early August.
Becker said in the release the decision was made due to the town's move towards a different leadership style for both the department and organization.
“On behalf of the organization, I'd like to thank Frank for his contributions to the town over the past year,” said Becker in the new release. Colosimo was not immediately available for comment.
Becker added in a follow-up interview with the Province he is looking at how the town is doing its business and how it can be done better.
“The decision I made was really with the best interests of the organization and the community,” said Becker, adding he will assume the duties of the vacant operational services position until it's permanently filled.
He added the town will be reviewing the position before it makes any decision on how to move into the future with the operational services department. Before Colosimo was hired his predecessor Craig Teal was also in charge of the town's planning department.
“When there is a vacancy created or happens through attrition or whatever other means, we look into the organization and what is the greatest needs and do we require any adjustments,” said Becker. “We will be undertaking that analysis immediately. I can't really state until we do that review.”
As for the type of senior administrator he will be looking for in the future, Becker said there are an important set of attributes he looks for when selecting a candidate, including municipal experience, education and knowledge related to the position and personality type that best fits with the organization and the community.
He said eventually the town will be advertising in Alberta and likely throughout western Canada to fill the new senior management position.
As for other possible future administrative changes, Becker said he has told staff and council there needs to be movement into a “continuous change philosophy.” However, he was quick to add it is not his intent to “gut the organization.
“It is to look and see how we can do our business better; to create efficiencies and improve our services. That is a standard conversation I have been having,” said Becker. “The organization has started to hear that and understand why we need to adapt to modernize some of the ways we do our business.”
Todd Becker, chief administrative officer
"The decision I made was really with the best interests of the organization and the community."
