Louise Fragnito named as interim CAO for South Frontenac Township

Jeff Green | Jan 19, 2022

South Frontenac Council did not take a long time to decide how to handle the pending departure of Chief Administrative Officer Neil Carbone.

After a very brief in Camera meeting on Tuesday, January 11, council came back into open session and made an appointment.

“Louise Fragnito, current Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer, was appointed by Council to the role of Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO),” said subsequent township release. “This interim appointment will take effect February 1, 2022, and remain in place until a new CAO is hired later this year.”

Neil Carbone, will remain with the Township until February 25, and the media release said that “Ms. Fragnito’s early appointment will allow for a period of overlap before Carbone’s departure. During this time, Mr. Carbone will serve in an advisory and support capacity as Ms. Fragnito ramps up her activities in the role.

“Council felt it was important to ensure consistency during this transition period, as there are many important initiatives underway that we want to see progress before this term of Council ends in late 2022,” explained Mayor Ron Vandewal. “Having been a key part of the senior leadership team in South Frontenac for many years, Ms. Fragnito has the skills, experience and knowledge to hit the ground running and to keep those important initiatives on track."

Fragnito has been with the township for 11 years, as Treasurer, and she has been a member of the senior leadership throughout that time. In recent years she has also served as Acting CAO on several occasions as part of the Township’s Acting CAO program, which provides senior staff with the opportunity to assume the role temporarily in the CAO’s absence.

“I look forward to this opportunity and am excited to continue working with Council ,” she said. “My objective during this time is to support Council and staff so that we can all continue to focus on the important initiatives ongoing for the Township and provide seamless continuity of service for residents and the community.”

While Fragnito focuses on interim CAO duties, other internal staff will be appointed to acting roles. Stephanie Kuca, Deputy Treasurer will transition to Acting Director of Corporate Services and Kyle Griese, Financial Analyst, will transition to Acting Deputy Treasurer. A Financial Analyst will be hired on a contract basis to provide support to the treasury department during this period.

“While there has been a greater focus on succession planning the past few years, we are lucky to have qualified individuals in our ranks that are willing to step up and take on these important roles,” said Mayor Vandewal. “We have full confidence in Louise Fragnito’s abilities to lead the organization during this period and look forward to working with her in this new capacity in 2022.

Although Vandewal indicated earlier that South Frontenac Council may consider waiting until after the 2022 municipal election in October before recruiting for a permanent replacement for Carbone, council has since decided not to wait.

In addition to this appointment, Council has also decided to begin recruitment for a new CAO immediately in the hope that the position can be filled during this term of Council. In the coming weeks, Council will be selecting a recruitment firm to assist in a broad search to find a candidate that is the right fit for South Frontenac.