- Organization: The Village of St. Pierre
- Posted: June 11th, 2019
The Village of St. Pierre council has hired Tina Bubenzer as its new Chief Administrative Officer.
Bubenzer, who had served as the acting CAO since July 2018, was officially named to the position on June 5.
“I’m most excited to put my touches on things. I know our staff, we’re a very good group of people,” she said. “It isn’t just me; I’m excited about our whole group, staff and council, and what we’re going to accomplish together.”
Bubenzer, who has worked for the village for four years, took on the position as a temporary fill-in for a maternity leave. Prior to coming to the village office, Bubenzer owned a pair of small businesses – a sign rental company (which she started so she could stay home with her three children) and later an equipment rental company that she later sold.
After that, she became an educational assistant and worked in Francophone school for over 10 years.
That position is even more important as she is now CAO of the only officially bilingual municipality in Manitoba. It’s something she takes a great deal of pride in, adding that it is a “unique opportunity.”
Commenting on the hiring, Mayor Raymond Maynard praised Bubenzer’s growth and her work to make herself a fit for the permanent position.
“She has since taken some municipal management courses and has moved up the ladder,” he said. “We’re quite happy to have her; she’s quite organized and I think we are going to do great things with her.”
Maynard adds Bubenzer is always smiling and is pleasant to deal with, the type of person council wanted in that position.
Some of that enthusiasm, she explains, comes from having watched her father in business for many years. A Ford dealer, Bubenzer said she learned a lot about leadership, how to treat staff and customers alike, from watching her father up close.
She’s also been supported by not only her staff, and village council, but by her neighbouring CAOs as well.
“I still have a lot to learn, but have a very supportive council and lots of help from outside community, CAOs who have helped me out as well,” she said. “In this area, southeastern Manitoba, I would say we’re a very close-knit group of CAOs. Whether someone has a question, people are quick to help you out.”
