Michael Simpson has been appointed Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Didsbury and will take up the role on Sept. 15.
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His appointment follows the resignation of former CAO Ethan Gorner, which Council accepted at a special meeting on Feb. 24. Gorner had served as CAO since Jan. 6, 2020. Town Council named Chief Financial Officer Amanda Riley as Acting CAO during the transition.
“We thank Mr. Gorner for his time and service to the organization and the community,” Mayor Rhonda Hunter said in a Feb. 25 news release. “The Town will continue with the good work and important projects already underway, and the dedicated and qualified staff have the full support and appreciation of Council.”
The Town announced Simpson’s hiring on Aug. 7, following a western Canada-wide search led by James Davies of DCG Executive Search Ltd.
“This is the key leadership position within the Town Administration and we are fortunate to have attracted strong candidates,” Council stated in the release.
Simpson began his career in journalism and communications before entering municipal government — first as an elected official in the Town of Vegreville in 2013, and later as a full-time administrator.
He has served as CAO for the Village of Willingdon, the Village of Ryley, and most recently the County of Paintearth, where he began in 2018.
According to the Town, Simpson has pursued additional education and certification throughout his career. He holds a Radio and Television Broadcast diploma from NAIT, the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (Levels I and II), a Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) designation, and certificates in Advanced Land Use Planning, Agronomy (Level 1), Indigenous Canada, and Law.
Council stated it is confident that with Simpson’s addition, “the Town of Didsbury will continue its positive progressive momentum and growth.”
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