By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: June 6, 2012
The District of Squamish has a new CAO.
Corien Speaker has been appointed as the new District of Squamish CAO.
Speaker has worked in local government for almost 21 years and held the role of CAO for the District of Elkford, B.C., for almost eight years.
She is known as a progressive leader who embraces innovation, said Christie Smith, the district communications manager.
Speaker has led many successful strategic initiatives in Elkford, including an integrated climate change adaption and the Official Community Plan project, an award winning branding and economic development project, Smith said.
She has also led the renegotiation of the Elk Valley Industrial Property Tax Sharing Agreement, participated in both the province’s Industrial Property Tax Review Advisory Committee and the RCMP Contract Negotiation Advisory Committee.
Speaker is also the first Vice President of the Local Government Management Association.
Before working at Elkford, Speaker was the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Prince Rupert.
She is a Certified General Accountant, participated in the Royal Roads University Local Government Leadership Program and holds a Diploma in Local Government Management from the University of Victoria.
Speaker will commence her position on July 3, 2012.
“I’m moving to Squamish to take the position of CAO for the district of Squamish,” Speaker wrote on her twitter account.
“Needless to say, but I’m very excited.”
I am positive that Corien Speaker will make a wonderful addition to Squamish. Apart from her impressive achievements, perhaps she can also bring some fresh ideas as to how Squamish should promote itself.
Elkford’s web page provides a fine example – http://www.elkford.ca/
Based on what she has accomplished in Elkford, I too have high hopes for Squamish! Here’s hoping she can breathe new life into muni hall!