ATHABASCA — Eventually becoming a chief administrative officer (CAO) was a long-term plan for Dawn Phillips, but after unexpectedly becoming interim CAO for Athabasca County for 11 months, shortly after arriving, she has decided to take the plunge now, a little ahead of schedule.
Phillips was only six weeks on the job as the director of agriculture and community services when she was tapped by then-reeve Larry Armfelt and the council of the day to temporarily take over from outgoing CAO Ryan Maier. That trial by fire has given her the confidence to accept the CAO position for the Town of Smoky Lake, population 1,127.
“I figured it'd be within the next five years," she said during an interview Oct. 27. “I’d get some rural experience and then in about five years I'd look for a CAO position but after doing it for almost a year, I just really enjoyed it.”
She started her municipal career in her hometown of Grande Cache as the pool manager for 16 years, leaving in 2004 for the Town of Camrose where she was the facilities director for three out of 13 years there. In 2018 she became the director of recreation for the Town of Taber, finally landing in Athabasca County in May 2021.
“When this opportunity came up, I thought, it's not far from here, small town so that's kind of exciting, too,” said Phillips. "I just thought it'd be an awesome opportunity.”
Phillips was done at Athabasca County Nov. 8 and credits Rod Risling, who was briefly CAO before accepting the same position in Osoyoos, B.C. where he plans to retire, with mentoring her during his short tenure.
“They really included me in a lot, especially with Rod because I was transitioning him into it so, I was able to work quite closely with him and then (interim CAO) Frank (Coutney), I had some really great conversations in the short time period he was here, and now working with CAO (Chris) Parker, same thing,” she said. “They've been great at sharing knowledge, advice, and whatnot.”
The Town of Smoky Lake is a member of both Rural Municipalities Association (RMA) and Alberta Municipalities (AM) formerly known as Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and Phillips is excited at the networking opportunities.
“I found it interesting going to RMA last year with this council. I got to go to the fall one and spring one so that was great and in Smoky (Lake) it looks like they are a part of Alberta Municipalities, but they also do RMA,” said Phillips. "So, I think there's some great opportunities there and there's the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as well.”
She’s also looking forward to continuing a regional relationship with municipalities surrounding the Town of Smoky Lake like Smoky Lake County which includes the villages of Vilna and Waskatenau.
“We have such a great relationship here and I learned a lot from that having that positive regional approach with the county, Town (of Athabasca), and Village (of Boyle),” said Phillips. "When I was interviewed, I asked if there is a positive relationship with the county and they said there was so, I think it helps; we can help support each other.”
At the Oct. 27 Athabasca County council meeting, her last before she left for her new job, reeve Brian Hall thanked Phillips for her time at the CAO helm and as a director.
“Council would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your new position as (CAO) of the Town of Smoky Lake. We look forward to working with you in the future on collaborative opportunities between our municipalities,” said Hall. “I would like to add that we appreciate the efforts you made to guide us as we settled into our new roles as elected officials. Thank you for stepping up in difficult circumstances during your tenure here. We hope you find happiness and success in your new role.”
Chris Parker, the new permanent CAO for Athabasca County also wished Phillips well during his own interview Oct. 28.
"I'm going to be sad to see Dawn go,” he said. "I'm extremely happy that she's going to a CAO position.”
