Operations and Planning Services Director Matthew Goudy has been named the new CAO for the City of Lacombe.

Mayor Grant Creasey says Goudy's fiscally responsible policies he has implemented for the City is one of the reasons why he was such a strong candidate.

“Some of the things he's done include seeing that our reserve funds are invested in a higher yielding fashion then they have done before. It may seem like a simple thing but it had never been done before and I appreciate him taking the initiative to see that it was done.”

Creasey says Goudy was acting as CAO since the departure of former CAO Dion Pollard, and they are thrilled to have him in that position full time.

“I believe this is the second that he has stepped up to help out the organization and be our interim CAO, and we certainly recognize that and acknowledge his many other qualifications, and we are pleased to be in a position to announce his full-time employment as our new Chief Administrative Officer.”

The Saskatchewan native also serves as a member of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Commission Audit and Finance Committee, as well as serving as the CAO of the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater Services Commission.

He's also a standing member of Mensa Canada (the High IQ Society), and an active member of the Government Finance Officers Association.

The search for a new CAO started after former CAO Pollard left late last year, and it attracted 38 candidates, with the top five being interviewed for the job, with Goudy coming out on top.