The Town of Athabasca has named Ryan Maier as their new chief administrative officer (CAO) with a start date of September 17.
Maier is the current assistant CAO in Rimbey, a small community (approximately 1,500 people) south west of Edmonton. He has been their assistant CAO for the past two and half years.
Maier will replace recently retired CAO Doug Topinka who has worked for the Town of Athabasca for more than a decade.
Athabasca Mayor Roger Morrill said Maier will be a good addition to the town.
“All of us from council are looking forward to working with Ryan and extend a warm welcome to himself and his family to our grand community of Athabasca,” Morrill said.
Maier is originally from Saskatchewan, and thrives on small town living.
“I prefer the advantages of raising a family in a small town environment,” Maier said. “I have spent the last 10 years in municipal government in small towns throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.”
As assistant CAO in Rimbey, Maier’s past experience will be put to good use in Athabasca.
“I handle all development-related issues in town, taxation, am the Director of Disaster Services, and was involved in all areas of operations from overseeing the new water reservoir project to working with the town’s engineers on all Capital projects and tendering, writing the RFP for the new swimming pool, budgeting, etc,” he said. “Prior to Rimbey, I was CAO in Millet, and Director of Parks and Recreation in Wainwright and Esterhazy.”
Maier is relocating from Rimbey with his family, which consists of two small children.
“I am excited to be making the move to Athabasca, a growing community, with great potential to play a significant role in the heart of Alberta's economy,” he said. “ I am happy to be relocating to a riverfront community, as we love to kayak and fish.”
Maier said his children are excited to have an indoor swimming pool for year-round enjoyment.
“I have also heard the golf course in town is excellent, and I am anxious to play a round of golf there,” he said. “I am impressed with the community and its amenities, particularly in projects such as the Multiplex, which reflects the excellent working relationship with Athabasca County in achieving such a progressive project.”
Maier’s son is enrolled in French immersion in Sylvan Lake, a community 50 kilometres south of Rimbey, so having French immersion in Athabasca was a draw.
“We were driving him to school in Sylvan Lake every day,” he said. “I really didn't want my family on the road through another winter and I have been looking for a community we could live in that had all the amenities we were looking for as a family.”
“Athabasca definitely ticked all the boxes for us,” he added
He is looking forward to meeting and working with the town’s staff.
“I know it will be a challenging role to try and fill the shoes of an accomplished individual like Doug Topinka,” he said. “I don’t have any specific goals at this time but I want to sit down with both staff and council and gain a better understanding of the current priorities and strategic plan for the town before setting a course.”
Mayor of Rimbey, Sheldon Ibbotson, said Maier “is well informed and capable, and will make an excellent CAO for Athabasca.”
Rimbey’s CAO Tony Goode said, “I’m sure he’ll do well in Athabasca, and I understand his family is looking forward to living there.”
Goode has been mentoring Maier for several years and believes he is ready to start on his own.
“We certainly regret Ryan leaving,” Goode said. “He will leave a big hole in the organization, but I believe that he’ll do well in Athabasca.”
