Acting Northumberland CAO leaving position
By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland County has announced the resignation of Glenn Dees as acting Chief Administrative Officer, effective March 13.
With the September departure of long-time CAO Jennifer Moore, Dees becomes the second CAO to resign from the post in less than six months.
The announcement said Dees is leaving to pursue a new professional opportunity after 16 year with the county – beginning in May 2009 in the Finance Department.
Becoming Director of Finance/Treasurer in January 2016, “he strengthened the county's long-term financial planning framework and advanced strategic fiscal policies. This included overseeing the development of the county's first comprehensive Development Charge – positioning the organization to sustainably manage growth and invest in critical infrastructure.”
He took on the new role of Director of Health and Human Services in September 2023, providing executive leadership for the county's Long-Term Care and Social Services portfolios. This included overseeing the extensive transition planning for the new Golden Plough Lodge long-term-care home – ramping up staffing, co-ordinating with provincial ministries, ensuring compliance with evolving legislative requirements and providing on-going support for staff and residents as plans evolve to relocate to the new larger facility this year.
As well, at the direction of county council and in collaboration with Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky and the Community Health Centres of Northumberland – he led the establishment of the new Medical Walk-In Clinic that opened in August 2024 for unattached patients.
In September, he further advanced plans for expanded local health-care access with the launch of the county-led Physician Recruitment Initiative, a pilot project designed to improve access to primary health care for residents across Northumberland.
Under Dees's leadership, the Community and Social Services team also advanced significant community supports such as Early Years, Ontario Works, housing and homelessness programming – including the overnight warming room set up this winter at the county building on Courthouse Road.
As well, he supported the response to last month's fire at a Colborne Northumberland County Housing Corporation complex that displaced 20 residents, He has worked closely with staff as they confirmed accommodation plans for all residents within two weeks of the incident.
Since assuming the role of Acting CAO in October, he has led the county's Senior Leadership Team in advancing organizational priorities, strengthening fiscal sustainability and supporting service-delivery excellence. And he has worked closely with county council to advance strategic planning initiatives and uphold transparent and informed decision-making processes.
“Throughout his tenure with the county, Mr. Dees has been recognized as a kind, fair and empathetic leader with a strong people-first philosophy,” the announcement said.
“He is respected for his analytical strength, strategic-planning expertise and his ability to handle complex situations with a calm and measured approach – ensuring decisions are informed, balanced and in the best interest of the broader community. He has consistently fostered a high-performing team-oriented environment focused on accountability and service excellence,”
Warden Bob Crate extended his gratitude for 17 years of service on behalf of county council, citing Dees's “lasting and meaningful impact on our organization and our community. He is a thoughtful, steady and compassionate leader who has always placed people at the centre of his work.
“While we are sorry to see him go, we congratulate him on the new opportunities he will be pursuing, and we wish him every success in the future.”
The county will provide further information on interim leadership arrangements and its CAO-recruiting process in the coming weeks.
