Ron Poole, current administrator for Terrace, is moving down the highway to Kitimat to fill the vacancy left by the departure of municipal manager Trafford Hall.
In announcing the hiring last Thursday, mayor Joanne Monaghan described Poole as the perfect person for the job.
“Kitimat’s in an enviable position right now with all that is going on. There’s a great upswing in the economy and we want someone with the skill set to take on that challenge.”
Monaghan said Poole emerged as the top candidate from more than 80 people gathered up by a headhunting firm.
Monaghan said she had always been impressed with Poole when encountering him at different functions and meetings.
“He knows how to get his point across and to do it quietly,” she said.
Monaghan also said Poole is more than qualified to restore good working relationships with local industrial concerns and the provincial government.
They became severely strained as a result of the power sales war Kitimat had with what was then Alcan and the province.
“We need some great help with getting our industries on side once again after what happened with Alcan and the province,” said Monaghan.
Jim Craven from James Craven and Associates, the headhunter firm which found Poole, said he emerged from 87 initial candidates.
He also said Kitimat council told him it thought highly of Poole from the very start.
Poole said his intention is to retire in the area, and working in Kitimat still allows him to do that.
“I’m still in the area, but I’m ready for a new challenge,” he said.
The Kitimat position gives him the opportunity to work with big industry, Poole added.
Poole also pointed out that Kitimat has recently undergone budget constraints with the closing of Eurocan.
“They see that I’ve been able to manage with SCI and West Fraser (shutdowns),” he said.
Terrace mayor Dave Pernarowski wished Poole well, saying he will be tough to replace. “There’s no doubt he’ll continue to play large influence in what happens in Kitimat and the region, and that includes Terrace,” he said.
Poole will take up his new job on Monday, July 4.