Airport head takes over as interim CAO

The CEO of Greater Sudbury Airport takes over as Greater Sudbury's interim chief administrative officer on May 4.

Bob Johnston takes over from Kevin Fowke, the city's human resources manager, who was appointed the first interim CAO following the departure of Doug Nadorozny on April 13.

“Mr. Johnston’s experience guiding the airport through years of growth demonstrates the administrative and strategic management skills required to lead the city day-to-day,” said Mayor Brian Bigger in a news release. “His appointment adds stability as we look to carry forward with a variety of important initiatives, including identifying $6 million in savings (to replace money taken from reserves to fund the mayor's tax freeze promise).”

The search for a permanent CAO begins in May, the city said in a news release, when a search committee is formed. It is anticipated that the process to identify and hire a permanent CAO will take four to six months.

A native of Halifx, N.S., Johnston holds a degree in industrial engineering from St. Francis Xavier University.

He began his career with the City of Sudbury in 1981, working to measure the quality and effectiveness of public works and parks services. He served as deputy treasurer and director of Transportation & Facilities throughout the late 1980s into the mid-1990s.

When the Sudbury Airport Community Development Corporation was created in 2001, as a result of the federal government’s national divestment strategy, Johnston took on the role of CEO.

Johnston is also the father Rebecca Johnston, a member of Canada's Olympic women's hockey team.