New Tache CAO drives the big machine

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This article was published 10/03/2024 (428 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Moving to Lorette from Winnipeg is not a long drive. But the path to becoming the new CAO for Tache for Ken Allen was longer and had more bends than Dawson Road.

Allen headed his first council meeting as the top administrator on Feb. 13. Allen said he moved to the municipality about three years ago while still working as communications officer for the City of Winnipeg public works department.

It was at the City of Winnipeg where he got his start in municipal government working construction with a shovel while attending the University of Manitoba. That job got Allen interested in operating heavy equipment, something he will be seeing a lot of as the big community centre project approaches its construction phase.

“I can operate all the — I call it the big iron — the big machines,” said Allen.

After the hands-on jobs, Allen moved onto supervisory roles for the City of Winnipeg. Allen listed his supervising experience as foreman training coordinator at Winnipeg public works, and field support services supervisor in the streets maintenance division.

Along with helping train city employees and being in charge of buying some things for the city through procurement, Allen also worked as a communications officer for the CAO’s office for four years. He also had a communications role at public works when he left to take on the CAO job in Tache, highlighting his role in the “know your zone” campaign for winter parking.

Allen said in total he spent 30 years at the City of Winnipeg.

“It was a real opportunity to put those things that I loved doing at the city and put them into action at the RM of Tache,” said Allen.

“It’s really been a strength to be on the frontlines when I was working heavy construction, and then later I was in the boardrooms, I was in city hall, and now I’m here in the RM of Tache. And having that frontline experience really I think gives me an advantage when I’m working on projects.”

Since Allen started driving the big machine of Tache, Mayor Armand Poirier said the response from residents has been positive.

“Transition means change, it’s not always an easy thing. But I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen. Ken’s been really well received by the employees and the public as well from what I’m seeing,” said Poirier.

“He is also a person that’s very receptive to receiving the public, or accommodating to them, and I think… that’s a very good thing.”

The mayor stressed the importance of having Allen and his family live in the rural municipality.

“When you have someone who’s righting the ship who doesn’t live here, they’re not sensitive to the events that are happening and the issues that people are faced with. When you have someone who’s connected to the community, it’s extremely important. It can’t be overemphasized because they’re invested here,” said Poirier, adding he thought Allen was the right person for the job because of those people skills along with managerial experience.

“I plan to live in the RM for a very long time and I’m excited about all the potential: opportunities for development and expansion. And making folks know the RM of Tache is open for business and that there are a lot of exciting opportunities to explore in our sprawling community,” responded Allen.

One of those opportunities is the new community centre, which will include an arena, library, and more. Mayor Poirier said Allen’s procurement experience will definitely be called upon.

“Of course now at the RM level, that’s extremely important because our procurements involve millions of dollars,” said Poirier.

Spare time is more limited as the municipal budget is now being drawn up. But when he can, Allen uses the opportunity of rural living to garden and take his camera out while hiking for some nature photography.

“When we decided to move out here, we really enjoyed the hiking trails,” said Allen, who recommended trying the Monominto Trails near Ste-Genevieve.

Former CAO Christine Hutlet announced she was leaving last October. Hutlet is now the CAO for Beausejour. Allen’s hiring was announced in December, and he started in February. Assistant CAO Jeanette Laramee took on the top job on an interim basis, and has returned to the assistant role.