April 6, 2022
FORT ERIE (April. 05, 2022) The Town of Fort Erie has found its next CAO. Mayor Redekop on behalf of Town Council is pleased to announce that Chris McQueen has accepted the position of CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) for the Town of Fort Erie. The Recruitment Committee tasked with hiring the new CAO consisted of Mayor Redekop, Councillor Butler and Councillor McDermott. They worked hard to find a candidate who not only could meet the many demands of CAO position but one who could exceed them and bring a new perspective to the Town. Chris McQueen will take over the position from the current Interim CAO Jonathan Janzen on May 2, 2022.
Chris McQueen is currently the Vice President, of Operations at Vineland Research & Innovation Centre. He previously founded and operated a management consulting firm, Disruptive Ideology Inc., that provided management consulting across municipal, health care and not-for-profit sectors. He brings more than 20 years of municipal experience as a City Councillor, Chief Administrative Officer, and has held several senior management roles at Niagara Region including Operating Officer (Health), Regional Treasurer and Director positions in Financial Management, Organizational Performance and Administration. He has worked with several Ontario municipalities on strategic planning, performance measurement and financial sustainability, and also works in a voluntary capacity with local organizations, including a Board Director with Hospice Niagara.
Chris holds a Masters in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science from McMaster University. In his spare time, he enjoys running, travelling, cooking and being active with his wife, Maria, and his two children, Ian and Elizabeth.
“The position of CAO is not only extremely demanding, it is paramount to how our Town functions. It was vital that the Recruitment Committee and Town Council select the right candidate to fill the most important administrative position with the Town. We are confident that Chris will meet the position’s demands and bring a fresh perspective to the Town of Fort Erie. We are excited for Chris to join us this May. We also want to express our deepest appreciation to our Interim CAO, Jonathan Janzen, for his remarkable work in the position,” said Mayor Wayne Redekop.
Chris is committed to join the Fort Erie team and support a culture of engagement, innovation and accountability. In addition to having the ability to build trust and compassion, Chris brings a leadership style that will foster positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, promote diversity and inclusiveness, and the proven ability to build strong relationships with the Community.
