WINDSOR, N.S. — Kentville’s chief administrative officer is heading to Hants County.
Mark Phillips has been appointed chief administrative officer (CAO) of the new municipality resulting from the consolidation of the Town of Windsor and the Municipality of the District of West Hants. He begins his new job Sept. 16.
Kevin Latimer, chair of the coordinating committee responsible for bringing the two municipalities together, said Philips, the current CAO of the Town of Kentville, was selected following a national search.
A graduate of Acadia University, Phillips has been Kentville’s CAO for the last eight years and for the last year has also served as interim Public Works director for the town.
In addition to his kinesiology and sport management degree from Acadia, Phillips has completed both provincial and national advanced certification in municipal government, including local authority administration from Dalhousie and a masters certificate in municipal leadership affiliated with York University.
According to the press release issued July 26, Phillips has experience in many aspects of municipal operations including emergency services, planning, parks and recreation, economic development, public infrastructure and strategic planning.
Windsor Mayor Anna Allen and West Hants Warden Abraham Zebian both expressed enthusiasm for the new CAO in the press release.
“As Windsor and West Hants come together to move our region towards an exciting future, we are confident that our new CAO will help us embrace the possibilities with open minds and hearts,” Allen said.
“This is a great day for our new municipality. We’ve found a terrific candidate right here in our own backyard. Mark has a track record of successful municipal leadership and I’m confident will help lead us to further growth and prosperity in the region,” added Zebian.
The two municipalities agreed last year to amalgamate and asked the province to pass legislation to facilitate the merger. Latimer was appointed chair of the coordinating committee in December and, since then, the committee has been meeting regularly to address the key issues that need to be settled before the yet-to-be-named new municipality begins on April 1, 2020.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Phillips in the press release.
“The two municipalities took the bold step of creating a new governance structure designed to more effectively deliver services to residents of these municipalities,” he continued. “The communities are far better positioned to succeed within the new regional municipality than they would have been possible had they stayed apart. I’m very excited to participate with the elected officials, staff and the community to leverage the many assets the region has to offer to its current and further residents and businesses.”
Prior to becoming Kentville’s CAO, Phillips spent 12 years as Kentville’s director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.
He is a member of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators and member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. He’s an executive member of the Valley Wildcats Hockey Club and a founding member of Devil’s Half Acre Motorcycle Rally.
