Shannon Harrower Named New CAO For The Town Of Vermilion

Town of Vermilion CAO Shannon Harrower. Photo submitted

During the April 1 Town of Vermilion council meeting, the official announcement was made regarding the hiring of Shannon Harrower as the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Harrower takes the reins following the departure of former CAO Kevin Lucas in April 2024. In the interim, Director of Community Services Mike van der Torre stepped in to provide leadership and act as Interim CAO while the town conducted its search.

Now, with Harrower officially at the helm, the Town welcomes a dynamic leader whose passion for community and municipal governance is deeply rooted in lived experience, regional knowledge, and an impressive career built from the ground up.

While she didn’t initially set out for a career in municipal government, a summer student role with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation during her time at Queen’s University sparked an interest that would guide her professional path. From painting and testing fire hydrants in Cold Lake to public works where she worked as a scale attendant at the Cold Lake Landfill, and eventually to an administrator role in the oil and gas industry where she met her now husband, Lyle Harrower. In 2014 she obtained a public works assistant position with the County of Vermilion River which led to her role as the Executive Assistant to the CAO.

“The opportunity to work as an EA ignited my true passion for serving communities and was the ultimate factor in my decision to pursue a career as a CAO,” explained Harrower.

As CAO for the Village of Marwayne, Harrower’s journey reflects both dedication and evolution in public service. Her accomplishments in Marwayne speak volumes about her leadership. Under her direction, the Village secured $375,000 in federal grants under the Canada Community Revitalization Fund to construct new recreation spaces such as a splash park and walking trails. Further, Harrower facilitated major economic development through the sale of commercial and industrial lots. “We sold all but one of our downtown commercial lots in less than two years and had the privilege of welcoming a brand new ATB Financial, Leila & West clothing store, and the main headquarters of Beauty from Bees on Centre Street. In that same time, we also saw the addition of Ranch Farm Supply and most recently, executed the sale of six acres of highway 897 industrial land to Veikl Agro (based out of Lloydminster) for the expansion of their agricultural operation.” Harrower also prioritized regionalized partnerships through the Regional Emergency Management Collective (REMC), their Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF), their Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and their Area Structure Plan (ASP).

When the opportunity in Vermilion arose, it was a matter of timing aligning with personal and professional readiness. Harrower had considered the CAO role previously but waited until the moment was right. As a mother of two young children—Sullivan and Sloane—she was grateful to have held a flexible position in Marwayne that allowed her to build her skill set without missing time with her family.

“As I welcomed my son Sullivan in 2020 and my daughter Sloane in 2022 and given that the Village of Marwayne graciously allowed me to bring my children to work in lieu of taking maternity leaves, it wasn’t until now that the timing has been quite right.” She added, “After taking the time to learn the ins and outs of municipal government and being the head of the public body for all departments in all capacities, I was able to fully understand the complexities of municipal operations and what it takes for them to move forward efficiently and effectively. This hands-on experience has enabled me to grow both personally and professionally, and ultimately, put me in an ideal position to take on the role of the CAO for the Town of Vermilion at this time.”

Since stepping into her new role, Harrower has hit the ground running. In the early weeks, she dedicated her time to immersing herself in the day-to-day workings of the Town. Touring facilities, meeting with staff, and engaging with business owners were her top priority.

“We have a really great group of staff members as well as a dedicated and resilient Council. I thank Council for the opportunity afforded to me at the Town of Vermilion and look forward to our continued governance collaborations on all things Vermilion.”

She also attended her first of many ribbon cutting ceremonies. “I attended my first (of many) ribbon cutting ceremonies to welcome another new business into our Town (which was such a novel and exciting experience) and I received the warmest welcome from the business owners - one of many relationships I want to continue to foster to build a strong sense of community with our residents.” It was during the event that I had the opportunity to meet Shannon in person, and it was a pleasure to extend the invitation for this introductory interview.

Looking ahead, Harrower is enthusiastic about several short-and long-term goals. Strengthening regional partnerships, ensuring fiscal sustainability, enhancing transparency and communication, and exploring ways to improve access to municipal information are key focuses. One particular area she’s eager to advance is residential development. “Many people would love to move to Vermilion, but we don’t have enough homes to meet the immediate needs and individual preferences of potential residents. I am eager to continue our discussions on available land suitable for development and the timeline for which this can be achieved. Vermilion is (and has been) my home for many years and there are many more people who wish it was theirs too!”

With a clear understanding of Vermilion’s potential, Harrower is already engaging with residents, businesses, and regional partners. Her door is open, both literally and figuratively, as she aims to foster trust, collaboration, and transparent communication.

“An open and transparent administration is a non-negotiable for me. As a local government, it is our responsibility to be accountable and provide accessible information to our residents and the public. We may not always be able to provide the answers people are hoping for, but we are always able to provide honest and transparent answers. There are restrictions under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) that prevent us from releasing confidential information, but otherwise, we are an open book as it relates to finances, decision-making, bylaws, policy development, etc. For those reading, I welcome you to stop by Town Hall or approach me when out and about to say Hello!”

Harrower describes her leadership approach as transformational—motivating her team to achieve a shared vision focused on change and with innovation. She champions open communication with both Council and staff and is keen to ensure that decision-making is supported with clear, informative dialogue.

“My approach to collaboration is through open and honest communication. If something isn’t working, let’s figure out why and let’s work toward a solution. Fostering an environment to share ideas and nurture collaboration is essential to effective municipal operations, and I want every individual to feel empowered and inspired in their role at the Town of Vermilion. A good indicator of leadership quality and overall morale is by gauging the way employees feel on Sunday night about coming to work on Monday morning. My goal is to enhance our culture and provide the necessary strategic direction to make that happen.”

As a long-time Vermilion resident, Harrower is no stranger to community life. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family and friends, running, attending barre classes, and freelance makeup artistry. She’s also a fan of local events, particularly the Vermilion Fair. “Living here and raising my children here has been one of the best decisions I have ever made,” she shared. “I’m feeling incredibly grateful to be in this role and privileged to serve this community as CAO.”

With her experience, energy, and deep-rooted love for Vermilion, Shannon Harrower is already making strides toward a strong and prosperous future for the town