Director, Community Development Announces Retirement

Municipality of Port Hope Community Development Director Tom Dodds has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2021.

“It is my good fortune to conclude a 40-year career here in Port Hope,” remarks Mr. Dodds. “The Port Hope community is an extraordinary community with a legendary history and a highly engaged citizenry, who demand public transparency and get it. All of these are hallmarks of a healthy, vibrant community. It has been my privilege to serve it”

Mr. Dodds joined the Municipality in 2018, as the Director, Community Development following his work with Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation as their Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Tom’s educational background in Urban and Regional Planning, Master of Public Administration, Not-for-profit Governance, and Executive Development, have provided Tom with an outstanding foundation of learning from which he built his career. Tom’s experience is varied and includes work in the Provincial government, Federal government, and not-for-profit. With employment in the fields of economic development, planning, policy, and community development; in locations such as northern Ontario, Australia and the United States, Tom has had an impressive career.

A few of Mr. Dodd’s notable accomplishments while working at the Municipality of Port Hope include the implementation of the Municipality’s Strategic Plan, advocating for enhanced community planning and development capacity to better enable the community to manage its future growth, and the navigation of several high-profile development applications.  

“With Tom’s breadth of experience, he has had a remarkable impact during his tenure,” notes David Smith, Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality. “Tom regularly challenged conventional thought and worked tirelessly to advance our community objectives.”

Mr. Dodd’s official retirement date is December 31, 2021. The Municipality has completed the recruitment and selection process for the Director, Planning and Development, who will be starting work in January 2022. Information on this new appointment will be announced shortly.

2021-12-15