MacPherson named as Fredericton’s new Chief Administrative Officer

Fredericton (November 28) – Fredericton City Council has named Chris MacPherson as the City of Fredericton’s new Chief Administrative Officer, effective November 28, 2011.

MacPherson has served as acting City Administrator for the last five months. He succeeds former City Administrator, Paul Stapleton, who retired on July 1 after 18-years of service. Prior to this, MacPherson served as Assistant City Administrator since 2002.

“City Council is very confident in Mr. MacPherson’s ability to manage the affairs of the City of Fredericton,” said Mayor Brad Woodside. “He has handled himself well throughout his career at the municipality and during his role as acting City Administrator. We are pleased that he has agreed to take on the role permanently.”

“This is a tremendous responsibility and I am indebted to Council for the confidence they have shown in me,” said Chris MacPherson. “I have grown up in this community and look forward to continuing to work with our partners to make Fredericton the best it can be. We have a great working relationship with our Council, and a great staff team who are committed to serving the citizens of Fredericton.”

MacPherson began his municipal career in 1976 working for the City of Fredericton Recreation Department as a labourer. By the mid 1980’s, he had been appointed to the position of Assistant Director of the Community Services Department. He held this position for over a decade.

In 1998, he was appointed the Director of Corporate Services Department, which provides internal services to the other city departments. In 2002, he became Assistant City Administrator for the City.

He completed his education at the University of New Brunswick with undergraduate degrees in Physical Education and Business Administration. He later completed a Master of Arts degree. He also has a certificate for Senior Executives in State and Local Government from Harvard University’s JFK School of Government.

MacPherson has been active in community and professional associations during his career. He was President of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators from 2009-2010, having served seven years on the national board. He is a Past President of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, Fredericton Regional Group. He currently sits on the board for Service New Brunswick.

From a municipal perspective, he is Chairman of the Fredericton Convention Centre, the Fredericton Lands Commission, and eNovations, Inc., Fredericton’s municipally-owned telecommunications company. He is also president of Newmarket Properties (Boyce Farmers Market). MacPherson is married with three children.