Powell River Regional District board members have hired a new chief administrative officer (CAO).
Allan Radke, currently the assistant administrator for the County of Camrose, Alberta, starts his new job on Monday, December 3.
Previously, Radke was the CAO at Town of Bashaw. He is the president of the Local Government Administration Association in Alberta. As well, he has over 15 years’ experience in management for a national wholesale grocery chain.
Radke has a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Michigan Technological University, which he attended on a hockey scholarship. In his early career, he played professional hockey in Spain.
With three grown children, Radke said he and his wife wanted to move to BC because she is from the province. The CAO position was an opportunity for him to advance his career, he added. “Having had previous CAO experience, then as an assistant in a larger municipality, I thought I was ready for that next step,” he said.
Radke has broad experience in regional issues, including fire protection and potable water. “It’s a growing concern everywhere,” he said. “How do we protect the ground sources of water and how do we ensure the sustainability of it, at the same time being able to afford the proper amounts to residents as well as businesses?”
Radke was selected for the position from a long list of applicants. “The board is pleased to successfully conclude its search for a new CAO with the selection of Mr. Radke,” said Colin Palmer, board chair. “He comes to us with extensive experience and I am confident he will very ably guide and oversee the regional district’s work and initiatives in the time ahead.”
The regional district hired Dennis Back as an interim administrator after the departure of Mac Fraser, who is now the City of Powell River’s CAO. Back, who started on September 18, will be staying on at the regional district until December 7 to ensure a smooth transition.
