By Chris Lewis | Jan. 28, 2021
The City of Mount Pearl has officially replaced former Chief Administrative Officer Steve Kent.
Since September of 2020, the City has been carrying out the process of finding a new CAO with the help of recruitment firm Knightsbridge Robinson Surrette. This is due to the departure of Kent after an extensive human resources investigation, for which an appeal is still ongoing.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, councillor Bill Antle reported the City is hiring Dana Spurrell.
Antle said there was an extensive search carried out by the City, involving 150 applicants from across Canada, only a number of whom were met and interviewed by a selection committee of council members.
Spurrell is a former executive in the provincial government with over 25-years of experience, according to Antle.
“Her leadership, expertise and labour standards, labour relations, and workforce attraction will be instrumental in moving our City forward,” Antle said.
Deputy Mayor Jim Locke described it as a great day that added a sense of excitement throughout City Hall.
“Running a city is a collaborative process that requires teamwork, patience, and perseverance” Locke said. “One thing we do have here in this city, and around this table, is a high degree of teamwork and respect for each other. So, Dana is joining a very good team.”
Locke said that in recruiting a new CAO, the City was looking for two things: someone who is supportive and growth-oriented.
“We already have a good orchestra here, we just need a maestro to lead them in the right direction, and I think (Dana) is going to be the perfect maestro,” Locke added. “As we all know, the last two years have been challenges for the City, but we’re here to focus on the positive outlook today.”
Councillor Isabelle Fry said Spurrell’s “empowering approach to leadership” makes her the right choice for the City. Fry described the hiring process as gruelling and was happy to see an end result that everyone could agree on.
Mayor Dave Aker agreed the past two years brought unique challenges.
“No one person runs the entire show,” Aker said. “This is the entire Mount Pearl team here as we speak. The last 18-months have been a struggle, and yet we have delivered services in a way that only Mount Pearl can deliver them: according to our standards, but adapted to the circumstances. So, I give credit to all of our staff today.”
Aker thanked City Clerk Mona Lewis for stepping in to fill the void as acting CAO while the city conducted its candidate search.
“Throughout the storm that we experienced in the last 18-months, there was this calm leadership, this voice of honesty, integrity, and professionalism,” Aker said, referring to Lewis. “I sit here as a friend, and say thank you on behalf of all the citizens of Mount Pearl, as well as the council and your colleagues here at the table … You showed this council what we want and appreciate in a CAO.”
