There are some new faces in Langford's city hall with the filling of several vacant positions.
Braden Hutchins is settling in at 877 Goldstream Ave. in the newly created position of director of corporate services.
"It's going to be a bit fluid," Hutchins said of the coming weeks and months, as several new hires begin working with the existing team. And more changes are ahead as long-term staffers prepare to retire.
After officially starting last week, Hutchins will take over a number of responsibilities that formerly fell to Lindy Kaercher, whom retired from her position as deputy clerk last year. Some of those responsibilities include overseeing records, freedom of information requests, communications, human resources and other duties.
Originally from the Cowichan Valley, Hutchins hasn't lived on the Island for the past 10 years. "It's good to be back … Langford has a great thing going for it."
While encouraging both businesses and families to find their place in Langford, he hopes he can find his own, while helping Langford blossom. "If I can continue to support that culture, I think I'll have done that job.”
Hutchins makes the move after serving as manager of corporate office and lands with the City of Port Coquitlam. He has also worked for the federal government and the Village of Valemount and has done environmental consulting in the United Kingdom.
Darren Kiedyk will be the City's new deputy chief administrative officer, working under CAO Jim Bowden. Kiedyk has worked for the City of Nanaimo, the City of Campbell River and the Village of Sayward. He's also worked in the private sector and for the provincial government.
The city's information and technology department will now be led by Alan Savjord. He's making the move from Cold Lake, Alta., where he was the information systems technology manager.
And Alison Boyd will take over the role of executive assistant. She will work closely with mayor and council as well as support the daily operations and administrative functions at city hall. Her background includes working at the Capital Regional District and the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C.
The job vacancies came up as a result of a number of retirements and some departmental reorganization. Over the course of the next several months, the city will be looking for a new director of finance and fire chief due to the impending retirements of Steve Ternent and Bob Beckett, respectively.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com