The Town of Okotoks has officially named its new Chief Administrative Officer.

Elaine Vincent had been working for the City of Red Deer as a Director of Development Services.

She says she's looking forward to a new challenge in working with a town that has a city feel to it already, as it is the largest town in the province.

"You have the opportunity to grow an amazing community," she says.  "Which if you go to anywhere in Alberta they can talk about that unique identity that is Okotoks. As that annexation process occurs, there's that great opportunity and challenge both at the same time, to maintain that unique identity but grow in a sustainable way."

Vincent says Okotoks reminds her of what Red Deer was when it was going through its growth a few years ago.

"That's the pressures of growth, the pressures of being able to do that in a sustainable way, that access to what Okotokians take for granted which is water and safety, we need to be able to do that and find that in a sustainable way."

She highlights her short and long term goals, they include the obvious subjects of the annexation agreement and the potable water pipeline Okotoks desperately needs.

"Learn what it's about, meet as many people as I can and begin to really understand the community, what it stands for and what is important. Then making sure as Okotoks focuses on that growth and annexation we do that in way that makes people welcome."

Vincent hopes she can help the Town achieve their water pipeline funding after it was announced last week that the project would not go through this year.

She starts her new post September 1, she takes over for Rick Quail who retired June 30, till then Corporate & Strategic Services Director Nancy Weigel will serve as the temporary CAO.

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