The District of Logan Lake has a new Chief Administrative Officer, with Wade Archambault taking over the duties from interim CAO Randy Diehl.

An internal hire, Archambault has been the Director of Public Works and Recreation for Logan Lake for the past year. Prior to taken that position, he worked for the City of Kamloops in the Utilities Department, and using his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Thompson Rivers University, has been teaching trades at the school on a part-time basis for the past 15 years.

He believes that the transition to the CAO position will be aided by his previous knowledge of the district’s governing system and staff.

“I know all the staff and I am very impressed by their dedication to the community and their level of professionalism.”

In taking on a position that has seen a carousel of civil servants in recent years, Archambault said his primary goals are to provide stability for staff and Council following a tumultuous year of staff changes and the (Tremont Creek) firestorm. Interim CAO Diehl has been handling the position’s duties since the departure of former CAO Anne Yanciw, who stepped down after just six months.

Prior to that, the position was held by Randy Lambright for approximately five years, leaving last fall for reasons unknown.

Diehl said that while he is sad to leave the District of Logan Lake, he is “confident” in the new staff. His interim role was the second time since his retirement in 2012 that he had filled in as an interim CAO, previously filling in for a few months with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District in 2020 after the controversial departure of Sukh Gill.

A press release from the District of Logan Lake noted that for the next year, Archambault will be working with Council to renew their Strategic Plan initiatives.

Archambault is married with four children. He will officially take over the title effective Nov. 1.

Alongside Archambault’s appointment was that of Laurel Grimm as the new Director of Corporate Affairs for the district, a position that was vacated in August when the incumbent moved to Victoria.

Grimm hails from Enderby, where she has been working since 2018 in the Corporate Office for the City. She brings with her a dozen years of experience in the School District, Westbank First Nations and the District of Hudson’s Hope.

She has certification from the Justice Institute, Capilano University and the University of Victoria in courses related to the Office of Corporate Affairs.

“This is a beautiful part of British Columbia and I am excited to make new friends in the community,” said Grimm.

Grimm has already met with Council and Senior Staff, including Logan Lake Mayor Robin Smith, who said she is “thrilled” and “look(s) forward to a strong and positive relationship with Wade and Laurel as we all tackle the challenges facing the District over the next several years.”

The new hires were chosen by Council and Administration out of a pool of over 25 applicants for each position. Within the month, the District hopes to also fill the role of By-Law Enforcement Officer, and is currently vetting applicants.