Acting no longer: Skinner officially appointed as Collingwood CAO

After nearly six months as Collingwood's acting chief administrative officer (CAO), Sonya Skinner has been officially appointed to the position. 

Council confirmed the appointment at the end of its Oct. 19 meeting. The CAO is the only town employee hired by council. 

"Thank you for this appointment to serve the Town of Collingwood," said Skinner in a town press release. "I look forward to working with council and staff to listen to our community, and to further build a community where people thrive." 

Skinner first started working at Collingwood Town Hall in August 2019 when she was hired as the town's first executive director of customer and corporate service. She was named acting CAO on April 27, 2020.

Former CAO Fareed Amin announced on Feb. 24 he was stepping down from his position to focus on family and personal interests. At the same time, the town announced Skinner would become acting CAO in March. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Amin to stay on as CAO for an extra month. 

When Skinner became acting CAO, the former director of parks, recreation, and culture, Dean Collver, became the acting executive director of customer and corporate service in Skinner's stead. Mel Milanovic is currently acting director of parks, recreation and culture.

Skinner's former experience includes CAO of Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, and director of compliance modernization for the Ministry of the Environment. She is a professional engineer with a master's degree in civil engineering. 

Mayor Brian Saunderson offered congratulations to Skinner from council. 

"Sonya brings a breadth of experience in the public sector and has demonstrated a leadership style that is collaborative, thorough, and results-driven," said Saunderson in a press release. "I know under CAO Skinner's tenure, Collingwood will continue its trajectory as a municipal leader and a town that is progressive, innovative, inclusive and forward-thinking."