Annette Antoniak is resigning as the Chief Administrative Officer of the RMWB.

The municipality announced on Wednesday she was stepping down to be with her family in Penticton, British Columbia.

Wood Buffalo council held an emergency meeting where they appointed Jamie Doyle as Interim CAO.

He has served as Deputy CAO for the previous two-years and was Director of the RMWB’s Planning and Development Department before that.

Mayor Don Scott says he’s confident administration is in good hands moving forward.

“Mr. Doyle is a proven municipal leader, and as a Council, we have the utmost confidence in his leadership and the Senior Leadership Team he has around him. We have a strong staff and the resources necessary and are well-positioned to keep moving our region forward and providing the services our residents need.”

Antoniak’s decision comes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier on Wednesday, she took part in a press conference discussing measures being taken by the municipality to combat the virus.

“I believe we are in a strong position with our Director of Emergency Management, Scott Davis, leading us through this global pandemic,” added Scott. “Mr. Davis has been involved with pandemic response planning, and has 18 years of experience with Emergency Management.”

Antoniak first took over the role on an interim basis in December 2016, taking over for Marcel Ulliac who retired. She was permanently given the role in November 2017.

Beforehand, she served as CEO of the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo.