Kevin Scoble takes over as Strathmore CAO, excited to begin in the position

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore has welcomed its new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kevin Scoble, who took over the position from the former interim CAO, Doug Lagore. 

Scoble officially started in the position on Jan. 10, moving to Strathmore from Saint Albert, where he served as a CAO for the past five years. 

“I’m enjoying it … I selected Strathmore for personal reasons, but also professional reasons. On the professional side of it, Strathmore is doing some really interesting things and it’s right on the cusp of some really great opportunities here locally,” he said.

Scoble was born and raised in Calgary and since beginning his professional career, was worked all over the province both in the public and private sectors. 

“I’m in my 29th year of my professional career now (and) about half of it has been in the private sector, mostly with energy companies, like ATCO gas and Petro Canada and Enbridge and Suncor,” explained Scoble.

“(The other) half of it has been in the public sector in management or leadership roles with the City of Medicine Hat (and) Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.”

Scoble added he chose Strathmore in part because it is much closer to friends and family for him, while the town also “punches above its weight class” in terms of leadership, resources and opportunity. He cited specifically the recent launch of the solar farm on leased land and the Town’s leadership in working together with Siksika Nation.

Though there are always new challenges that accompany beginning a new position in a new municipality, Scoble does not believe he has hit the ground running, so to speak, as many aspects of municipal government are similar no matter where you go.

“I would say probably 80 or 90 per cent of local government is pretty much the same issues between communities in Alberta. That other 10 or 20 per cent is really custom to the location and the culture and the industry of the community,” said Scoble.

“It’s a time of change for everybody when a new CAO comes in, but also, of course, we’ve just had an election this past fall across Alberta.”

Regarding the goals and priorities of Strathmore’s new town council, he said he looks forward to working with them on the “interesting and progressive things they want to accomplish.”

“It’s really about council and administration now formulating their plans for the term of council here for the next four years and my job is really to make sure that we’re all rowing in the same direction,” Scoble explained.

“I think Strathmore is really well positioned to bring in more non-residential revenue, so new investment opportunities in the community, which benefits both existing residents and businesses.”

Overall, Scoble added that the nature of the position, being a mix of spontaneous and proactive work is what keeps him excited about local administration.