Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger announced today the appointment of Fire Chief Steven Locke as the acting Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Chief Locke has served as the Burlington Fire Chief since February 2016 and prior to that appointment, served as the Interim Town Manager of Hartford, Vt. Mayor Weinberger has asked Chief Locke to serve in this role through January 2020 while the City searches for a permanent CAO. Chief Locke will continue to serve as Fire Chief during this period.
Burlington Chief Steven Locke
“I am grateful for Chief Locke’s willingness to take on this role,” said Mayor Weinberger. “His effective management of the Fire Department and prior experience serving as the interim Town Manager in Hartford position Chief Locke to excel in this transitional role while we continue the search for a permanent CAO.”
“I am honored to be asked to serve in this acting capacity,” said Chief Locke. “I look forward to working with the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office team and supporting this transition.”
Beth Anderson had served as the city’s first woman CAO since 2017. In early November she was named the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vermont Information Technology Leaders Inc (VITL).
As CIO, Beth implemented the City’s BTVStat initiative, working with all City departments to collect data to identify challenges, track progress, and control costs, and to promote accountability, learning, and collaboration. As CAO, Beth led two successful budget processes, which resulted in City budgets that continued historic investment in City assets while limiting taxpayer burdens. Her work to build back the City’s Unassigned Fund Balance, secure clean audits, and set new debt and pension policies played a major role in restoring the City’s Aa3 credit rating.
Source: Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger 11.25.2019