A temporary replacement has been found to step in as the Region of Queens looks for a new Chief Administrative Officer.

The former CAO of the Municipality of the District of Chester Dan McDougall will assume the role until a permanent replacement is found for the outgoing CAO of Queens, Chris McNeill. McNeill gave notice in March that he would be resigning to take up the same position for Annapolis County.

McNeill has been the CAO for Queens since January 9, 2019.

Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman is excited to land an interim CAO with McDougall’s experience to fill in while the Region continues their search. “When a CAO is needed, it’s often CAOs who have retired because they can slip in the role and they have a sense of understanding of the Municipal Government Act, etc," said Norman. In addition to his time in Chester, MacDougall also served as CAO for Colchester, the CEO of Housing Nova Scotia and was Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The Chief Administrative Officer oversees all employees in the Region and is the only employee a municipal council can directly hire or fire.

At the latest meeting, Region of Queens Council decided the search for a permanent CAO will be conducted by Gerald Walsh Associates.

Interim CAO McDougall will start May 8 and McNeill’s last day is May 12.

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