The town has hired a new director of operations who will begin on Oct. 16.
Craig Teal, former planning director with the Town of Innisfail, will take on the new role with the Town of Olds that will be vacated by Larry Wright. Wright will move to the newly-created position of strategy and technology officer and work from the chief administrative officer's office.
Norm McInnis, the town's CAO, said in light of Wright's recent 60th birthday, he was eligible for retirement but administrators felt he had too much experience that the town could still benefit from and created the new position.
“Larry has vast experience in local government,” McInnis said, noting Wright will be working with all departments and all staff in more of a mentorship role. “He'll have a particular role in supporting the (Olds Institute For Community and Regional Development) and will be involved in community economic development.”
Wright will also continue working with developers as the community continues to grow, McInnis said.
“What the corporation has asked me to do is look at bigger-picture issues across the board. Part of the focus is on economic development and how that relates to planning, development, engineering and infrastructure and working with groups … and also our staff on staff safety development right across the board on a corporate basis,” Wright said, noting that in the past his focus was on the operational services department.
“We're going to try and develop staff,” he added.
Teal formerly worked with the Town of Olds as director of parkland community planning services in a planning and development role before moving on to the Town of Innisfail.
McInnis said he is pleased that Teal will be working with the town again, in an expanded role.
“We're excited to have Craig come back and join us on a full-time basis,” he said.
Teal said he is looking forward to the expanded role.
“It will include some different roles, including engineering and mapping services. It will take on a bit more responsibility on the engineering side and structural planning side and also involves day-to-day operations in the form of public works, utilities department and solid waste management,” he said.
Scott Chant, the current manager of utilities and public works, will also take on a bigger role once Teal begins his job, McInnis said.
