Whitchurch-Stouffville hires former mayor of Orangeville as new chief administrative officer

Yorkregion.com
June 6, 2019
Simon Martin

There is a new boss in town. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has hired former Grey Highlands chief administrative officer and Orangeville mayor Rob Adams as the town’s new chief administrative officer.

Adams, who served three years as the chief administrative officer of Grey Highlands, is an experienced senior executive with more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience within the municipal government sector and the technology industry. He has worked in both urban and rural municipalities, at both the upper and lower tier.

“Rob will be a tremendous asset to the team here at the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville,” Mayor Iain Lovatt said. “His experience as a leader and innovator will serve our town well. We are very excited to have him on the team.”

Along with being an accomplished municipal leader, Adams is a proven business executive with many years of experience in the private sector managing strategic partnerships and business development. His educational training includes an honours BA in political science and a master’s degree in local government from Western University.

“I’m really excited to be joining the staff team at Whitchurch-Stouffville, and I look forward to working with the mayor and council towards building an even better community,” Adams said.

In addition, Adams has extensive political experience as a mayor, councillor and county warden. His experience includes three terms as mayor of Orangeville and four terms as warden of Dufferin County before he became chief administrative officer of Grey Highlands.

“Rob’s strong management skills, together with his experience as a municipal leader, provide for a unique background from which to lead staff and advise council,” Lovatt said. “I truly believe he is the best person for the job. I look forward to working with him on a regular basis.”

The position of chief administrative officer (CAO) became vacant when Roman Martiuk announced late in January his intention to retire. Martiuk had been chief administrative officer since August 2017.

Adams’ first day on the job will be Monday, June 24.

The CAO position in Whitchurch-Stouffville has been a revolving door ever since Dave Cash left the town unexpectedly 2013. He was replaced by Andrew McNeely, who was eventually placed on administrative leave and resigned April 21, 2015.

McNeely was replaced by Marc Pourvahidi on May 5, 2015.

Pourvahidi lasted a year before taking a leave of absence in April 2016, after a revelation that the town had an exodus of 30 employees from January 2015 to April 2016.

Pourvahidi was eventually let go Nov. 18, 2016.

Fire Chief Rob McKenzie served as interim CAO for two weeks until leisure and community services director Rob Raycroft took over the role, which he performed until Martiuk was hired in 2017.