INNISFAIL - The critically important role of operations manager for the Town of Innisfail is suddenly vacant.
After almost 18 months as the town's director of operational services, Rod Fraser is suddenly gone from his senior management position with the Town of Innisfail. He came to town in January 2018 after working in Rocky Mountain House in a similar role. Todd Becker, the Town of Innisfail's current CAO, was also Fraser's boss in Rocky Mountain House.
Fraser came to Innisfail with more than 20 years experience working on various civil engineering projects for several provincial municipalities, including Parkland County, the Town of Devon and the Town of Beaumont.
The town issued a short two-paragraph news release on the morning of July 4 on Fraser's sudden departure, effective July 2.
Becker said in the news release the town was "grateful" to Fraser for the "tremendously positive impact" he made on both the organization and community.
“He departs with the very best wishes of all who worked alongside him," said Becker in the news release.
No reason was given in the news release as to why Fraser was no longer employed with the Town of Innisfail.
In a followup interview with Becker, the CAO declined to say whether Fraser resigned or was dismissed. Fraser could not be reached for comment.
"At this time in respect to the circumstances I am not going to (comment) at this given time. The press release is pretty much the comment I have, that he is no longer with the town and wish him all the best," said Becker.
He said a plan has been implemented until an interim position can be put in place and a permanent director for the department is found.
"Right now we are just working on the day-to-day to fill in and working on making sure the current work plans and projects are moving forward, so that is priority number 1, and then of course then to move to fill that position," said Becker. "We are spreading the workload amongst existing senior employees at this moment."
