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Search cancelled for Oak Bay chief administrator, interim to stay on

Lou Varela officially takes the role April 8
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Oak Bay Chief Administrative Officer Lou Varela, pictured Jan. 29, 2019. (Jesse Laufer / News Staff)

Lou Varela will stay on as Oak Bay’s permanent Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

In a press release issued Jan. 29, Mayor Kevin Murdoch announced Varela will begin her permanent position effective Apr. 8. Oak Bay had posted an opening for the CAO position earlier in January. The competition was scheduled to stay open until Feb. 8, however with Varela’s new appointment it has been cancelled.

Her term as interim CAO was scheduled to end at the end of February.

READ MORE: Oak Bay searching for permanent CAO

“Ms. Varela has already had a tremendous impact on municipal hall with her strong positive leadership and continuous efforts to improve our services, financials, and operations.” said Murdoch. “I know council and staff will be thrilled she is joining us on a permanent basis and I am excited for the opportunity for council to work with Ms. Varela, district staff and council as a team over the coming years.”

There will be a period between her scheduled interim end date and permanent start date where Oak Bay will need to appoint a temporary acting CAO as Varela is unavailable, Murdoch said. This the same process they follow when senior staff take vacation time.

“I have greatly enjoyed working with council, staff and Oak Bay residents over the past seven months. There are wonderful people who do amazing work as Oak Bay staff members, council members and volunteers,” Varela said. “I am humbled and honoured to join and lead the organization on a permanent basis, given what I see as exciting opportunities ahead for this community.”



jesse.laufer@oakbaynews.com

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