Monday March 25, 2024 | SOOKE, BC [Updated 6:38 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
On March 21, 2024 a chapter found conclusion at the District of Sooke, with the announcement of the permanent appointment of a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Raechel Gray is the new CAO, after serving as the interim CAO for about 18 months while concurrently fulfilling her duties as Director of Financial Services with the municipality. The decision was made in-camera by Council on March 11, 2024, according to meeting minutes.
All staff reports to the CAO, and the CAO reports to Council.
Experience and dedication:
“Ms. Gray brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this role,” says the District of Sooke in a news release.
Gray has over two decades of experience in both municipal and provincial governance, and financial management.
“She has demonstrated exceptional organizational leadership and remarkable team acumen during her tenure with the District of Sooke,” the District stated in a news release on March 21.
Her proven track record of fostering collaboration and driving operational excellence has contributed to marked improvements in the organizational culture and improved service delivery,” the District stated.
Series of CAOs:
The District of Sooke has been through a journey to finally have a CAO permanently in place. Norm McInnis was their CAO from 2019 until May 2, 2022 at which time he took medical leave; Don Schaeffer came in (once again) to be the interim CAO.
After a reasonable time, the District tried hiring a new CAO; in 2023 they offered the job to Jeremy Denegar who accepted, but a short time prior to his start date of September 5 (extended to October 16) his life partner suddenly passed away, and he declined the job. So another reasonable period of time has passed.
In February 2018 the employment of then-CAO Teresa Sullivan was ended by the District of Sooke. She had been in the job since December 2015. She had been Sooke’s the sixth CAO since municipal incorporation in 1999.
Maja Tait has been the Mayor since 2014, overseeing all of the transition over the past 10 years.
Before that, Evan Parliament was District of Sooke CAO from 2006 to 2012, when Janet Evans was mayor.
Leading Sooke forward:
Ms. Gray is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has a comprehensive understanding of financial stewardship, budgetary oversight, and regulatory compliance within the municipal context.
The District says that her expertise, coupled with her unwavering commitment to public service, after an extensive executive search, makes her an ideal candidate to lead the District of Sooke forward.
“It’s an exciting time to work in local government and I’m honoured to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer for the District of Sooke,” said Raechel Gray.
“Having had the privilege of working closely with the dedicated team here, I am excited to continue our collective efforts in advancing the District’s priorities and serving the needs of our current residents while planning for the needs of future generations,” said Gray.
Mayor is pleased:
Mayor Maja Tait commented on behalf of Sooke Council, “We are thrilled to officially appoint Raechel Gray as our Chief Administrative Officer. Her dedication to our community and citizen-focused service delivery has been instrumental in guiding us through various challenges and opportunities.”
“I have full confidence that under her stewardship and leadership, the District of Sooke will thrive and prosper,” said Mayor Tait.
Ms. Gray’s appointment as the Chief Administrative Officer of the District of Sooke was effective immediately on March 21, 2024.
===== RELATED:
- District of Sooke suddenly without a CAO (October 24, 2023)
- District of Sooke CAO taking medical leave (April 27, 2022)
- Incoming Sooke CAO chosen from among 150 applicants (May 29, 2019)
- Newest Sooke CAO to start July 2 (May 14, 2019)
- NEWS SECTIONS: SOOKE | VANCOUVER ISLAND
===== ABOUT THE WRITER:
Island Social Trends Editor Mary P Brooke has been covering news of Sooke since 2008. She lived in Sooke during 2007 to 2017 during which she covered Sooke news on a daily and weekly basis; since 2017 she has operated her publishing enterprise based out of Langford.
Mary Brooke’s series of print publications is archived at the Sooke Region Museum: MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010), Sooke Voice News (2011-2013), and West Shore Voice News (2014-2020).
During 2014 to 2024 Ms Brooke has also followed in-depth news of the Sooke School District (SD62).
Ms Brooke has been reporting with the BC Legislative Press Gallery since covering the daily COVID news during 2020-2022. In 2023, she was nominated for a Jack Webster Foundation journalism award for contributing to her community through professional journalism.
Island Social Trends covers news through a socioeconomic lens, posted at IslandSocialTrends.ca. The biweekly print edition of Island Social Trends launched in 2024. | Subscribe to the Premium PDF of the print edition.