The board of Chestermere Utilities Inc. announced that they have terminated the contract with CEO Leigh-Anne Palter.
The decision, which was announced in a press release on Nov. 8, comes as Chestermere City Council is in the midst of reviewing options for the future restructuring or dissolution of CUI.
With this review ongoing, the board of CUI along with city council determined that the services of a CEO are no longer required.
“I have a lot of respect for Leigh-Anne Palter,” said CUI Board Chair Lou Doiron.
“Her depth of knowledge, tenacious leadership and genuine care to deliver exceptional service will be missed,” he said.
The decision to let Palter go from the organization was not made as a reflection on her performance in the role of CEO.
“She endured through a significant amount of operational and political challenges in her time with the organization,” said Doiron.
Through Palter’s leadership, strategic vision and hard work, there is a much clearer understanding of the operational costs of CUI compared with when Palter joined the company in 2015.
Additionally, Palter renegotiated several long-term contracts with CUI’s third-party vendors and banks which, according to the release, has led to significant savings to the company.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served the people [of] Chestermere these last three years,” said Palter.
“I’m especially proud of what our small team has accomplished,” she said.
With the elimination of the position of CEO, an interim Transition Manager will be named in the coming weeks while the corporation undergoes its operational review by city council.
