Sioux Lookout CAO retires, new CAO announced 

Tim Brody - Editor

After more than five years with the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, and an extensive career in municipal government, Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Larose is calling it a career. 
Larose shared in a Nov. 16 media release issued by the Municipality, “While I am looking forward to spending more time with my family, I am going to truly miss the wonderful people I have been able to work with during my time at the Municipality – Council, our dedicated staff and our vital community stakeholders. I really loved working in Sioux Lookout.” 
Mayor Doug Lawrance thanked Larose for her leadership during her tenure, “including guiding the Municipality through multiple challenges such as the COVID pandemic and last year’s historic flooding.”
Reflecting on her time as CAO, Lawrance stated, “Michelle has been a wonderful asset to the Municipality and it has been a true pleasure to work closely with her over the last five years. Michelle faced many unusual challenges, and led us through them with strength of character and clear guidance. She will be missed. We wish her all the best in her retirement.” 
Larose’s last day with the Municipality is Dec. 31.
Larose had informed the Mayor and Council of her decision to retire earlier this year, which the Municipality informed led to an extensive recruitment effort involving an executive search firm, interviewing candidates from across the country, and a lot of deliberation by Council. “In the end,” stated Mayor Lawrance, “we decided that the best candidate was already here.” 
During their Regular Council Meeting on Dec. 15, members of Sioux Lookout Council adopted By-law 101-23, naming current Municipal Clerk, Manager of Corporate Services, and current Acting CAO, Brian P. MacKinnon, as the new CAO, effective January 1, 2024. 
Lawrance noted that the change in the Municipality’s top administrator will come with a few changes in the senior leadership structure. “Instead of having both a CAO and a Municipal Clerk, we will be combining these roles into one position, the CAO/Municipal Clerk. We have great confidence in Brian’s skill, capacity, and dedication to our community. He has extensive Municipal management experience and a leadership style that encourages staff to use their skills and strengths to everyone’s benefit.” 
The Municipality informed that MacKinnon brings 17 years of experience with the Municipality to the table, “along with an in-depth knowledge of our staff, departments, challenges, stakeholders, and history. He has worked his way up through several roles during that time, starting in 2006 as the Cemeteries and Licensing Coordinator, moving through various positions and joining the Management Team in 2012. Brian has taken on various Management roles, including his current role of Manager of Corporate Services/Municipal Clerk, and Acting CAO.”
“I am truly honoured by this vote of confidence from our Mayor and Council,” said MacKinnon. “I am excited for this opportunity to further serve the residents of Sioux Lookout and help the incredible team I work with every day to foster innovation and growth for the community.” He adds, “It has been wonderful working with and learning from Michelle, and I wish her the very best in her retirement.”