City hires new chief administrator

Jorden Dixon - Penticton Western News Published: August 31, 2010 6:00 PM

The City of Penticton was flooded with more than 175 applications after word got out they were in search of a new chief administrative officer. However, it could only come down to one — and after sifting through the applications Penticton council has appointed Annette Antoniak. Currently the economic development officer for RDOS electoral Area D, Antoniak has held positions in the past such as deputy minister of intergovernmental relations for the province, president and CEO of the Pacific National Exhibition and president and CEO of the B.C. Olympic and Paralympic Games Secretariat. “Antoniak brings with her a wealth of experience in leadership, organizational change and senior management experience,” according to a press release from the city. Antoniak, who will be replacing Dennis Back — the acting interim CAO, will be an asset to the previous and ongoing changes council is trying to implement for the city, said Mayor Dan Ashton.

“There have been, as everybody knows, some substantial changes that have taken place in Penticton,” Ashton said. “In our opinion as council, there is ongoing changes that are going to be required and we’ve said all the way along that we have to be more efficient with how we do things, and we have to take a look and be more accountable, and those are some of the benefits that she (Antoniak) is able to bring.” Antoniak will step in as CAO come Sept. 20, taking the reins of the approximately 275 people the City of Penticton employs. “I know the city staff are looking forward to having a permanent ... manager there, and being able to work with that manager,” Ashton said. “And I know Annette is looking forward to working with the staff.” Currently living in Osoyoos, Antoniak said she will be moving to the Penticton area, where she feels she will be an asset to the city and its future. “I have a very strong event and facility background,” Antoniak said. “So I think with the South Okanagan Events Centre and the pool upgrade and the fact that so many events are part of the City of Penticton I think I should be an asset.” However, it wasn’t the nature of the city’s events or her background that intrigued her when it came to applying for the position.“What I think really appealed to me was the ability to work with the city council and staff on creating a new vision and a strategic plan moving forward,” Antoniak said, adding that she feels council and the city’s staff are very committed to doing so. Moving to the South Okanagan only a year ago, Antoniak said she feels it has given her some time to sit back and get a sense of what is going on in the region, and from her observations she said Penticton is in a perfect position. “I think the City of Penticton is well positioned to be the premier event and tourism destination in the whole of the Okanagan, particularly in the South Okanagan,” Antoniak said. “So I think that we have the opportunity to attract even more events, and really drive tourism.”