Mayor Frank Campion has used his strong-mayor powers to appoint Jessica Ruddell as Welland’s new chief administrative officer.

It’s the second time Campion has named someone to the city’s top administrative position since receiving special authority from the provincial government two years ago.

Ruddell joined the city in January 2024 as director of community services. She has more than two decades of senior municipal leadership experience, the city said in a news release. She holds master’s degrees in both business and public administration, and her background includes work in aquatics, recreation, fleet and operations.

She has served as acting CAO since October following the departure of Rob Axiak, who left to take the same role in Cambridge.

“Jessica has shown the leadership competen

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