Longtime CAO retires after two decades

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

It was a testament to Dwight Stanford’s leadership, work ethic, and his 24-year reign as chief administrative officer for the Town of Strathmore when over 130 people gathered on April 15 to celebrate the man who will bid adieu to the position and enter into retirement this Friday.
April 22 marks a bittersweet day for Stanford who has seen the town grow from 4,000 people to a population of nearly 14,000, dealt with seven different councils, and even made history when he became the first person Canada-wide to receive the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrator’s Distinguished Service Awards for 40 years serving as a CAO.
With nearly a quarter-century of experience under his belt, Stanford felt it was time to spend more time on his farm and his exceptionally large family, and therefore announced his retirement last year.
“I feel good about the things that have happened and what council have helped do and make all these things possible,” said Stanford. “Every council is different and in what they wanted, but over the years they’ve all been unanimous that they want growth and development, which makes it positive.”
Looking back over the years, Stanford recalled several highlights throughout his career that include the $52 million waterline from Calgary, a new wastewater treatment plant to replace lagoons, a much-needed water reservoir on Wildflower Road and working with various developers and numerous area structure plans. While he has worked with numerous councils with various agendas since being hired by former Mayor Keith Schneider, Stanford said the current council focused on the development of more pathways, protecting the environment, and acquiring more money from the government for roads, water, and sewer projects.
Stepping in to fill his shoes, former High River CAO James Thackray will officially settle into the position on April 25. Originally from British Columbia, he started in his first administrative job in 1996 and plans on getting acquainted with Strathmore, the staff, and its issues by listening and working together.
“I hope I can honour Dwight’s legacy and keep it going,” said Thackray. “Dwight’s a tremendous guy I really have the highest regard for him and if I can be half as good, hopefully that’ll be a good thing. I like the way he rolls; let’s get it done. It’s a cool time to be in Alberta and a cool time to be in Strathmore.”
Stanford, a father of eight and grandfather of 27, grew up in southern Alberta and attended universities in Oklahoma and Texas, and Brigham Young University, where he received his Ph.D. in business administration. He returned to Canada to work with the federal government as supervisor of budgets and administration for air control in Edmonton. Since then he held jobs all over Canada, including Toronto, Kamloops, Regina, and the County of Vulcan, as a county manager, town manager, auditor, and director of business development before accepting the CAO position in Strathmore.
Numerous local residents attended the invitee-only retirement party in honour of Stanford last week, including approximately 14 guest speakers such as MP Martin Shields, Councillor Bob Sobol and Councillor Denise Peterson, and Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester to name a few.
“I’m going to miss a lot of things,” said Stanford. “I’m going to miss my staff big time, and I’ll miss making lots of important decisions. I helped get a lot of growth here and I’ll miss being involved in that. It’s been good, good councils, good to work with, and very supportive.”
The public is invited to attend a retirement celebration for Dwight Stanford on April 22 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Strathmore Travelodge.