Frontenac County Stays Internal for CAO - Appoints Kevin Farrell

Jeff Green | Apr 17, 2024

Kevin Farrell, currently the Manager for Continuous Improvement at Frontenac County, will become the Chief Administrative Officer as of May 1st. Kelly Pender, who has been in the position since the summer of 2014, will hand over the metaphorical key at that time.

The appointment was announced, fittingly, at the first meeting to be held at the newly refurbished Frontenac County Office this morning. The redevelopment of the Frontenac County Offices is a project that Pender has been leading for the past 5 years. He will remain on County staff to consult with Farrell until June 30

Farrell joined Frontenac County staff in February 2010 and most recently held the position of Manager of Continuous Improvement. He holds an Honours B.A. from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University. As a member of the staff leadership team, he is familiar with the challenges associated with long-term care, paramedics, planning and economic development, marine services, and County administration.

“It is an honour and an exciting challenge to be selected as Frontenac County’s next CAO and to lead my colleagues toward the future,” says Farrell. “I want to thank Council for placing this trust in me and I want to thank Mr. Pender for his leadership, mentorship, and friendship these years.”

“The job of selecting the right CAO is among the most important and sensitive work we undertake as County Council,” said Frontenac County Warden Frances Smith. “Mr. Farrell has all the right qualifications and qualities to lead staff and guide Council into the future. I congratulate him on behalf of Council and am looking forward to working with him even more closely from now on.”