The city of Port Coquitlam is recruiting for a new chief administrative officer to replace CAO Kristen Dixon, who will leave her post at the end of the year.
Dixon is moving to Penticton to become the general manager of infrastructure. She had previously been the assistant engineer for the city.
After seven years in Port Coquitlam, including two years as its most senior staff member and five as its director of engineering and public works, Dixon will leave the city on Dec. 31 to take on the job in Pentiction and to be closer to family.
The city’s mayor said the top official will be missed and noted she provided a key role as the city grappled with the impact of COVID-19.
“Kristen has done an exemplary job leading our city through some tough times – in particular, the last seven months with our COVID-19 response,” said Mayor Brad West. “She is hard working, talented and had the right personality and energy to achieve Council’s focus on getting the basics right and delivering what matters to our residents. Council and staff will greatly miss her positivity and passion for the community and we wish her the best with her move to Penticton.”
The city has begun a comprehensive recruitment process for a new chief administrative officer (CAO). city council will be directly involved in hiring the new CAO, working with the Human Resources Department to conduct a national search.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply at www.portcoquitlam.ca/jobs.
During her time with the city, Ms. Dixon took the lead on a number of city projects, including leading the city’s COVID-19 pandemic response, planning and construction of the new $132-million Port Coquitlam Community Centre, working with the finance department to re-design the city’s budget process and introduce a new two-year capital projects budget, as well as participating on the bargaining and labour management committees, and overseeing the redevelopment of the City’s downtown.
Dixon said in a press release the decision was “one of the most difficult” she’s had to make as she prepares to move to the interior B.C. city, however, she added, she’s proud of what the city has accomplished as a team.
