Thames Centre has hired a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). David Barrick, who held the same position in Brampton from 2019 to 2022, he will succeed interim CAO Michelle Casavecchia- Somers beginning on June 12.
In a release, the municipality stated Barrick “brings more than 17 years of municipal experience, successfully holding senior administrative roles in the public sector, with a focus on Operations, Corporate and Legislative Services, including serving as CAO of one of the largest municipalities in Ontario.”
He also founded and operated several successful businesses and has experience in risk management. He holds an Honours B.A. in Political Science with a Concentration in Public Law from Brock University and Performance Measurement in Government Certification from York University.
“We are fortunate to have this talented and experienced CAO on our team and are excited to welcome David to Thames Centre,” said Mayor Sharron McMillan in the release. “He has a demonstrated commitment to community services, municipal efficiency, as well as organizational skills, and his proven success as a leader will serve our community well.”
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown chimed in with praise of his own. “Dave was a great CAO. We tried to get him back, but I think he wanted a more quiet rural lifestyle. Thames (Centre) is lucky to have him.”
Barrick said he gave careful consideration to what he would do, understanding that he was wanted back in Brampton.
“Certainly, I could be back at the City of Brampton. I took my time to carefully consider the options, to seek new opportunities, and Thames Centre is an amazing community and it offers tremendous natural heritage and recreational assets being close to all those amenities and world-class secondary institutions.”
Barrick touched upon his experience in an environment of rapid growth, noting Thames Centre has the potential for smart-growth principals in alignment of what council and the community would like to see.
“I also have a track record of demonstrating respect for tax dollars and value for public money and I know this council also shares that.” As the administrative leader of Brampton’s 6,000 employees with an operating budget of $750 million, Barrick launched the city’s BHive Business Incubator, and enhanced Brampton’s Centre for Innovation through collaborative partnerships. In addition, he oversaw the electrification of Brampton’s transit fleet, and helped council achieve their budget goals that provided a multi-year tax freeze for the city.
Barrick has also faced his share of headwinds. While serving as CAO in Brampton, he was the victim of a smear campaign allegedly orchestrated by a city employee who would go on to run a failed campaign for mayor against Brown. The resulting investigation cost taxpayers more than $1 million, after which the City of Brampton publicly apologized, stating the accusations caused “unfounded investigations and confidentiality and privacy breaches” while he was employed from 2019 to 2022…. The City unreservedly apologizes to Mr. Barrick for the unfounded investigations and associated confidentiality and personal privacy breaches he experienced during his tenure with the City.”
Barrick said it was crucial to maintain an air of professionalism during that period.
“It’s fair to say there was a level of political toxicity during a highly contentious election, which sometimes happens. In this case, many senior staff, including the integrity commissioner were impacted, but I’m so thankful that after the election, the City took steps to rectify all of these issues for all of the professionals impacted, including providing me with a very public apology, thanking me for contributions, and inviting me to return.”
Barrick is in the process of searching for a home in Thames Centre for himself, his wife and two children.