By Doug Draper, Niagara At Large
Harry Schlange, who is no stranger to Niagara and municipal politics here, has been named as the Region’s new chief administrative officer, replacing recently retired Mike Trojan in that top staff position.
Niagara Regional Headquarters in Thorold, Ontario
Schlange last worked in Niagara a few years back as the CAO for the Town of Fort Erie, before taking the CAO position in 2011 in Loyalist Township, a municipality of about 15,000 with a seven-member council (including the mayor) near Kingston, Ontario.
Niagara Regional Chair made the announcement this September 17, five days after regional council chose him from a large field of candidates at during a closed door session that lasted about two hours. The announcement of the councillors’ decision was delayed in order to inform Schlange that he was chosen and to give him an opportunity to break the news to his current employers.
Schlange, who has also previously worked as a staff member in the CAO’s office in Niagara Region, will begin the top job effective October 28th.
Here is a full text of the announcement made this September 17th by Gary Burroughs.
“On behalf of Regional Council, I am pleased to announce the hiring of a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective October 28.
At a Special Meeting of Council held Thursday night, Council appointed Harry Schlange, a Niagara native and former municipal CAO in Niagara, to serve as the Region’s next CAO. Harry has held senior positions in both the private and public sector, and has a strong understanding of Niagara’s economic, social and political environment, having previously served for six years as CAO at the Town of Fort Erie.
Our Corporate Management Team has done an excellent job these past three months, moving forward with Regional business and key issues, and we’re on track with our 2014 budget development.
I’ve certainly appreciated and valued the professionalism and commitment of the senior management team while the search was under way, and we’re going to continue with this successful approach until the new CAO arrives on the job. We have a strong senior team led by our Acting CAO’s, and they have demonstrated that throughout this transition period.”
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