Tom Vair, who currently holds a position as executive director of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, has been appointed a deputy CAO position with the city of Sault Ste. Marie.
The deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services position became available as a result of the adoption of a new 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and the retirement of two city managers.
The appointment was announced following a closed session of council, held immediately prior to tonight’s city council meeting.
Six candidates were interviewed for the position, with a total of 68 applications received by the city.
The position was advertised internally and externally and a hiring committee was struck to select the candidate.
“As a result of the evaluation, Mr. Tom Vair was determined the successful candidate, having met the duties and responsibilities outlined for the position,” read a council report from Al Horsemen, city CAO.
Under the city’s new organization structure, Vair will oversee Planning and Enterprise Services and Community Services within the Community Development and Enterprise Services department.
Vair's transition from Innovation Centre executive director to deputy CAO will take place over the next four weeks.
A motion to approve a by-law authorizing the hiring of Vair was approved unanimously and without discussion.
Vair was appointed as executive director of the Innovation Centre in 2005. He holds an MBA from McMaster university, as well as a BA in Administrative and Commercial Studies from the University of Western Ontario.
A joint press release from the city and the Innovation Centre follows:
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Today, City Council approved the hiring of Tom Vair to serve as the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) – Community Development and Enterprise Services, effective October 11, 2016. Mr. Vair will oversee municipal operations provided through building, planning and enterprise, and community development services.
Chief Administrative Officer Al Horsman has indicated that, “administration is pleased that Mr. Vair has agreed to take on this unique role that focuses on community development as identified in the 2016-2020 Corporate Strategic Plan. Senior management look forward to working with Tom in implementing this strategic corporate focus area at this critical time in the City’s history.”
“I commend the hiring committee for doing a great job. Mr. Vair is a skillful candidate who is very committed to our community. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in him and the advice and guidance he will give to City Council,” remarked Mayor Provenzano.
Vair is currently the Executive Director of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC), an organization that serves as a catalyst for growth in the science and technology sectors in the Sault and Algoma region. He has served in this role since joining the organization in 2005.
Over the next four weeks, SSMIC’s leadership team and Board of Directors will work to ensure a smooth transition between Vair’s departure and hiring of a new executive director. SSMIC’s role in growing the Sault’s science and technology sector continues to be an important one to the future of Sault Ste. Marie.
“In eleven years, Tom has skillfully and methodically established the Innovation Centre as an innovative, ground-breaking organization that has elevated the prominence of not just Sault Ste. Marie but all of Northern Ontario,” said Chris Wray, Chair of the SSMIC Board.
“The Board of Directors is particularly proud of its accomplishments since Tom joined the Innovation Centre in 2005. On behalf of the Board, we wish him all the best in his new position and look forward to his continued good work at the City of Sault Ste. Marie,” said Wray.
Vair’s previous experience includes working in the high tech sector in Ottawa with Corel Corporation and a number of Internet start-up companies. Tom holds an MBA from McMaster University and a BA in Administrative and Commercial Studies from the University of Western Ontario.
He serves as a Board member for the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy and as a member of the Sault College Computer Studies advisory committee; previously he served as a member of the Sault Area Hospital Innovation Fund, Anishnabek IT Centre Advisory Committee and Destiny SSM.
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