THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The Town of Fort Smith has a new senior administrative officer.
Keith Morrison, director of municipal services for the Town of Fort Smith, has been hired as its new senior administrative officer. - photo courtesy of the Town of Fort Smith |
It is Keith Morrison, the town's former director of municipal services.
Morrison accepted the new position on Feb. 16 at the conclusion of an employment competition that began in December.
"I think there are a lot of opportunities with the Town of Fort Smith," he said, adding he is looking forward to rolling up his sleeves and getting to work.
Morrison was born in Quebec and grew up in Ontario, but he is a South Slave Metis through his mother's side of the family.
Former SAO Jim Hood resigned Jan. 9 for personal reasons.
From then until the time he was hired as the SAO, Morrison served as both the director of municipal services and acting SAO.
The job competition to replace Hood, who was SAO for about two years, opened in early December after Hood gave notice he was leaving the position, and the competition closed on Dec. 19.
Morrison joined the Town of Fort Smith as director of municipal services in September of 2013.
The new SAO has lived in Fort Smith on and off for the past 15 years working in a variety of roles with the GNWT, Diavik Diamond Mine, Stand-Alone Energy Systems and as a tourism entrepreneur and consultant.
Prior to working with the Town of Fort Smith, he spent two years with the Town of Hay River as director of public works.
"Keith brings a great deal of experience in project management and municipal operations to the town," stated Mayor Brad Brake in a news release. "Keith intends to use these skills to help address the many opportunities faced by the Town of Fort Smith."
Morrison was not involved in the process of hiring a new SAO. That was handled by a human resources committee made up of members of council.
Three people applied for the position and two were interviewed.
