The long search has ended, and a choice has been made: Tara Baker is Guelph’s new Chief Administrative Officer. The hire was announced Tuesday in a media release from the City of Guelph, filling a vacancy left when Scott Stewart retired in June. Baker will now put 13 years of Guelph experience, including eight as the main financial manager, to working on a full slate of issues as city hall’s top administrator.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tara into this role at the City of Guelph. Her knowledge of Guelph, extensive experience and transformative leadership will be invaluable as we continue to advance our Future Guelph strategic plan, improve services and serve our community effectively,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie in a statement. Guthrie led the CAO Recruitment, Selection and Performance Sub-committee.

According to her Linkedin profile, Baker joined the City of Guelph in 2011 as a senior corporate analyst, and then manager of financial reporting and accounting. In 2016, she became the general manage of finance and city treasurer, where she oversaw the transition to multiyear budgeting and helped secure a AAA credit rating from S&P. The CAO position is the highest ranking civil servant at the City of Guelph and reports directly to the mayor and council.

“I am honoured to take on the role of CAO for the City of Guelph. I look forward to working closely with Council, staff, and the community to build on our successes and advance our collective priorities,” Baker said in a statement

“Guelph is an amazing community I’m thrilled to be a part of, and Guelphites can rest assured that I am committed to delivering excellent public service for our residents. I’m invested in building public confidence in local government, letting data drive our decisions, and focusing on effective outcomes that will help enhance the lives of everyone in our community.”

Baker will assume the officer of CAO on September 16. Deputy CAO of Infrastructure, Development, and Environment Jayne Holmes has been serving as the acting CAO since Stewart’s retirement.