The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has a new chief administrative officer.
Craig Dalton, former city manager with the City of Lethbridge, will take the reins on March 7, the regional district said in a release.
“We are pleased to welcome Craig Dalton to the SLRD, and look forward to his leadership,” said SLRD chair Jen Ford, in the release.
“With a strong track record of community engagement, relationship-building and collaborative problem solving, we are confident he will be an exceptional fit with the organization, and the region.”
Dalton’s hire came after an extensive, nationwide search, the SLRD said.
He brings more than 30 years of public sector leadership experience in local, provincial and federal government, including a 25-year career in the Army.
Dalton has served as Deputy Minister of Public Safety and then Deputy Minister of Social Development in New Brunswick, the Deputy Minister of Family and Human Services in Prince Edward Island, and also held the position of Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman.
“I am very excited to be joining the [SLRD] team and look forward to working with the board and the staff, along with the communities, citizens, stakeholders and partners to advance the goals of the Regional District,” Dalton said in the release.
Dalton replaces outgoing CAO Melany Helmer, who joined the SLRD in September 2020 and announced her plan to retire in September 2021.
“I am grateful to the SLRD board of directors, and the dedicated team of professionals I’ve been blessed to work with, for their support during my time as CAO,” Helmer said in the release
Helmer will stay on with the district to support Dalton’s transition into the CAO role.
“On behalf of the SLRD board of directors, I’d like to thank outgoing CAO Melany Helmer.” said Ford. “Melany has shown tremendous leadership for the organization and we are grateful for her contributions.”
