Transformative CAO Moves On

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THAMES CENTRE – The Municipality of Thames Centre has reluctantly accepted the official resignation of Chief Administrative Officer David Barrick after a term marked by notable successes in obtaining grant funding, and the modernization of some municipal operations.

Under Barrick, Thames Centre earned its first GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The Municipality also introduced the use of Questica OpenBook software to show residents exactly where their tax dollars were going – an innovation which earned an AMCTO Certificate of Merit.

Thames Centre received significant grant funding over this term of Council, thanks in part to Barrick's work as a liaison to other levels of government and third-party organizations. These include $1 million grants for housing-enabling water infrastructure and the upcoming replacement of the North Ice Pad at the FlightExec Centre. This fall, the municipality will also be installing new EV chargers at municipal facilities with over 90% of the cost covered by third party grants.  New Active Living programs have been fully funded by another provincial grant.

To better serve the public, Barrick oversaw the creation of a Customer Service Charter, and expanded public engagement through town halls, online surveys, and a modernized municipal website. Barrick organized, attended, and spoke with residents at public forums like the Green Town Hall meetings, and this year's Road Safety Open House.

“I’m proud of the work I did with Council and Staff, and of the results we delivered for the people of this community,” said Barrick. “I’m sure Thames Centre will continue to build on the momentum.”

Council remains grateful for David’s support in advancing its strategic priorities and wishes him all the very best in the future.

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Contact:
Michael Ramnanan
Communications Manager
mramnanan@thamescentre.on.ca
519.268-7334 ext. 258