City of Revelstoke announces new CAO Allan Chabot

The City of Revelstoke has announced their new chief employee, naming Allan Chabot as the new Chief Administrative officer on June 19.

Chabot served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Fernie for a decade before moving to the same post in Merritt for the past year. Before that, Chabot worked as a corporate officer in Golden, B.C., and was a city clerk in Prince George for over six years.

In addition to work as a staff member at city halls in B.C., Chabot also served on the political side of  local government as Mayor of Invermere from 1988–1990, and as an alderman (now called city councillor) before that.

In a prepared statement, Chabot expressed a desire to get back to a mountain town posting.

“I am really looking forward to getting to work and live in Revelstoke and help the Mayor and Council achieve their goals. I feel that the issues and opportunities facing mountain resort communities that include traditional resource-based employment are really in my wheelhouse and my experiences in Invermere, Golden and Fernie should serve me well,” Chabot said.

“I want to immerse myself again in mountain culture and be part of the great Revelstoke community.”

City of Revelstoke Mayor Mark McKee said Chabot’s “wealth of experience and government knowledge” would make him a good addition to the city.

“I’m confident that Allan will play a key role in providing and implementing the high quality leadership required to accomplish the goals and objectives set by this new council,” McKee said.

Those interested in meeting Chabot can attend a meet and greet on Aug. 21 at Revelstoke City Hall from noon to 2 p.m.

A City of Revelstoke media release said that Cabot worked in the private sector in mining, trucking and forestry.

Chabot replaces former CAO Tim Palmer who announced his retirement in February, 2015, following the November election that returned only one incumbent councillor.
According to a media report, Palmer received a payout totaling $205,556 for his announced early retirement. In a statement to the Mountaineer, the City of Revelstoke said that included 13 months’ salary, 3.5 months of vacation and “in lieu” benefits.

City finance director Graham Inglis has been serving as acting-CAO in the interim.

The Chief Administrative Officer — commonly called the CAO — is the top employee at city hall, and he/she reports to city council.