Lisa Spitale has become the first woman to fill the top spot at New Westminster city hall.
After a national executive search, the City of New Westminster has appointed Spitale as its new chief administrative officer. Spitale, currently the city's director of development services, will assume her new role on June 1.
"We began our search for a new chief administrative officer last October and were very impressed with the high calibre of candidates who applied," said Mayor Wayne Wright. "In the end, we found the perfect candidate right here within our organization."
Spitale takes over from Paul Daminato who retired as city administrator earlier this year, after 10 years in the most senior staffing position at city hall.
"I'm extremely proud and honoured to be assuming the position of CAO," Spitale said in a press release "Our organization is blessed with hard-working, talented staff and a committed and engaged city council. These are exciting times for New Westminster and I look forward to working with my colleagues, council, and the community in meeting the challenges - and opportunities - that lie ahead for our city."
Spitale began her career with the City of New Westminster as a planner in 1992 and was promoted to assistant director of planning in 1996. In 1999, she became the director of strategic services, overseeing business and liquor licensing, economic development and bylaw enforcement.
According to a city press release, under Spitale's guidance the city has developed a new downtown official community plan that was recognized with a merit award from the International Downtown Association in 2010. In addition, she oversaw development of New Westminster's affordable housing strategy, industrial land strategy and Westminster Pier Park master plan. Spitale also helped negotiate a $60 million development assistance compensation (DAC) agreement that provides funding for initiatives including the civic centre, parks in Queensborough and an expanded Queensborough Community Centre.
"Our city is moving forward on a number of great initiatives that are positioning us as the place to be in Metro Vancouver," Wright said in a press release. "Lisa's energy, talents and deep knowledge of our community will be tremendous assets as she assumes her new leadership role."
Before working for the City of New Westminster, Spitale worked as a real estate consultant for Coopers & Lybrand and a planning consultant with Lavalin Engineering. She has a master of arts (planning) and a bachelor of arts (political science) from the University of British Columbia.
