CBRM News
Mayor and Council announce solicitor Kachafanas will serve as interim CAO
November 12, 2024
Mayor and Council announce solicitor Kachafanas will serve as interim CAO
Sydney, NS – Mayor Cecil Clarke and Council approved the appointment of Demetri Kachafanas today as interim Chief Administrative Officer for Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
After 17 years of service to CBRM, Marie Walsh is moving on from her employment there. Ms. Walsh has been Chief Administrative Officer since 2017.
Mayor Cecil Clarke expressed gratitude on behalf of the CBRM Council for Walsh’s contributions, which included outstanding financial stewardship of the municipality during her tenure as CAO, and formerly Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance.
“CBRM Mayor and Councillors thank Marie for her service and wish her the very best for the future,” said Clarke.
Kachafanas has served as the Municipality’s solicitor for the past 27 years. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University with a concentration in Finance. He was called to the bar in 1996 after earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at Dalhousie University. He subsequently attained a Master of Laws (LLM) from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School with a specialty in Dispute Resolution.
In 2020, Kachafanas was awarded the designation of King’s Counsel. The King’s Counsel designation is awarded annually to members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and outstanding contributions to the legal community.
On behalf of Council, Mayor Clarke welcomed Kachafanas in the new role as the top administrative official at the municipality.
“We welcome Mr. Kachafanas in this role as we navigate new relationships with the provincial and federal governments, both of which are currently, or soon, seeking re-election,” said Clarke. “CBRM is one of Canada’s fastest growing municipalities. Our shared vision to position our region for success will be key in the years ahead.”