14year City Hall veteran Doug Gilchrist promoted
The City of Kelowna has a new city manager, and it's a familiar face.
Doug Gilchrist is taking over the job, effective immediately, after working at City Hall for the past 14 years.
He says his familiarity with Kelowna will make it an easier transition.
"Corporate knowledge and corporate history is really important, and we haven't had huge amounts of attrition at the City, but we have had some retirements, and a lot of knowledge walks out the door when that happens," he said.
"I'm sure that helped in council's decision that perhaps it might be a more stabilizing factor, than someone who comes in fresh and doesn't know either the city, or even our community."
Gilchrist is currently the director of community planning, and takes over for Ron Mattiussi, who retired at the end of March.
Gilchrist also reflected on learning from his predecessor.
"Ron was a great City Manager, and an excellent mentor and friend to me. Very different styles between the two of us, but I learned from him probably the most imporant thing is to really care about the employees and the people you're dealing with," he said.
"He was genuine in his interest in people and how he could help them, so he had a great personal side to his management style."
As far as the differences in those management styles, he says he's a pretty open book.
"I'm definitely a passionate person – I really and truly believe in city building, and wanting to do the best for our community, and I hope that that comes out in the way I work with my people," he said.
"I expect a lot from staff, but I also like to let them run with their own ideas, and give them autonomy."
City council made the final decision on the hiring, after a four-month search led by recruitment firm Davies Park.
Gilchrist started at the City in 2004 as a manager in the Real Estate department.
Later on as the Director of Real Estate, he played a major role in the CN Rail line acquisition, for the Okanangan Rail Trail.
He'll take over immediately from Deputy City Manager Joe Creron, who was filling the position on an interim basis.
