Harrow, Potter to share interim CAO position in Minto

MINTO – Director of Fire Services Chris Harrow and deputy treasurer Mark Potter will share the town’s top staff position until a permanent chief administrative officer (CAO) is appointed.

On April 5, the town announced  Harrow and Potter will be joint interim CAOs, replacing current CAO Derrick Thomson, who is leaving to take the CAO position with the County of Bruce.

Current Director of Fire Services/deputy CAO Chris Harrow is familiar with the position, having served as interim CAO in 2019 while the town transitioned after the retirement of former CAO/clerk Bill White.

[related]

Harrow will be responsible for the operations portion of the portfolio, overseeing the public works and planning and development departments on top of his current responsibilities with Minto Fire.

Potter will be responsible for the administrative portfolio within the municipality, overseeing the administration, finance, community services and economic development departments.

“Recruiting a new chief administrative officer is a lengthy process, and with 2022 being a municipal election year, we run the risk of our council going into a Restricted Acts period in August, which would prohibit council from hiring for this position and leave us without a CAO for months,” stated Mayor George Bridge.

"Based on these circumstances, this was the most logical approach."

Bridge added, “Our council has the utmost confidence in the leadership, teamwork and communication skills that Chris and Mark bring to the table, and that the town will be in great hands while we search for a more permanent solution in the new term of council."

Harrow and Potter will officially take on their new roles effective April 19.