Guelph-Eramosa hires Wingrove as new CAO

The search to replace longtime Guelph-Eramosa CAO Janice Sheppard is over.

Council announced on Jan. 13 that it has hired Kimberly Wingrove as the township’s new chief administrative officer.

“She’s got a lot of experience,” Mayor Chris White told the Advertiser. “She’s a very, very good fit.”

Wingrove is currently the director of economic development and communications for the Town of New Tecumseth.

She is also the former CAO of Collingwood and has previously worked for several provincial ministries in the area of information technology, rural programs and regional economic development.

“I am eagerly looking forward to working with council, the community and the great team that the current CAO has established in Guelph-Eramosa,” Wingrove said in a press release issued by the township.

The new CAO, who will start at the township on Feb. 10, holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Guelph.

She will replace Sheppard, who is retiring on Jan. 31 after 36 years of service with Guelph-Eramosa and former Guelph Township.

White said Wingrove is “well regarded” by everyone to whom he has spoken and he expects her to fit in well at the township office.

The mayor noted Wingrove’s combination of municipal and provincial experience made her the ideal candidate.

“This is a critical position for the township and I think we’ve done well with this hiring,” White said.

He added he was very pleased with the CAO hiring process, which was led by Nigel Bellchamber, of N.G. Bellchamber and Associates in London.

“We had an excellent pool (of candidates) to choose from,” White said, noting the township received 45 applications for the position.