Council chooses Steve Kanellakos as the next city manager

Ottawacitizen.com
Feb. 8, 2016
By Jon Willing

View video link: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/council-chooses-steve-kanellakos-as-the-next-city-manager

Council is appointing Steve Kanellakos the City of Ottawa’s next city manager.

Kanellakos was a deputy city manager in Ottawa before he left to take the city manager’s job at the City of Vaughan last year.

He was a well-liked operations manager while at Ottawa City Hall and many councillors in recent weeks lamented his loss to Vaughan after Kent Kirkpatrick announced he was retiring last fall.

Kanellakos faced council in a closed question session Monday. His appointment was announced publicly after the meeting.

Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney worked for Kanellakos for six years before her election in 2014.

“I’m glad to see him back, absolutely,” McKenney said.

McKenny said council asked him during the interview process about what has he learned going to Vaughan.

The big bonus, however, is hiring a top bureaucrat who knows the City of Ottawa and the players at City Hall, she said.

“Steve is well respected in this organization by staff and I think that is key for a city manager,” McKenney said.