The office of the assistant CAO for the Town of Rimbey was not empty long before a replacement stepped in, ready, willing and eager to assume her new responsibilities.
Melissa Beebe, the former executive assistant to CAO Tony Goode, has taken over as the second in command at the town office, filling a vacancy left by Ryan Maier, who moved to Athabasca as CAO of that community.
Beebe, who has been employed by the town since 2003, is looking forward to the challenges of her new position.
“I’m a bit nervous,” she said. “It’s definitely a new learning curve stepping into a new role, but I think it will be very interesting.”
Beebe enjoys municipal politics and working in a small town.
“This is grassroots politics and it is where changes and progress can happen.”
The new assistant CAO plans to be flexible, open and think outside the box to ensure she helps make a “positive difference” in the community.
“Moving forward is good, but you need to combine the new with the old.”
Originally from Big River, Sask., Beebe lived in Edmonton for several years before moving to the Leedale area. She completed an office administration diploma at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and worked in Edmonton in administration with construction-related companies.
She is married to Garry Taylor and the couple has two girls; Jessica, who is in Grade 11 in Rimbey, and Jazmine, who attends Red Deer College.