The Municipality of West Nipissing has selected Mike Pilon to serve as its new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
“I am honoured to step into the role of CAO for the Municipality of West Nipissing. After more than three decades of public service with the OPP, I am excited to bring my leadership experience to the municipal level,” Pilon said in a release from the municipality.
Pilon is stepping into the role as Jay Barbeau — who has served as West Nipissing’s CAO for 25 years — prepares to retire at the end of this year. Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon noted these next few months will be a period of transition and collaboration as Pilon acclimatizes to the new role.
See: Long serving CAO stepping down this year
Mayor Rochon said, “Mr. Pilon will be very busy familiarizing himself with Council priorities, detailed operations, major projects and getting to know staff. We will also be preparing, deliberating and approving the municipal budget, alongside our regular business. By late winter, we expect Mr. Pilon to present Council with his vision and strategic direction moving forward.”
Pilon has worked with the OPP for over 31 years, most recently serving as Chief Superintendent and Regional Commander for the Northeast Region. In that role, he oversaw 775 officers, 130 civilian staff, 35 detachments, and managed an annual budget of more than $105 million.
See: North East region OPP sees personnel changes
Fluent in English and French, Pilon has lived in Sturgeon Falls since 2018. The municipality noted, “Pilon excels at leading large teams and navigating complex, high-pressure situations with integrity. His background includes extensive experience in strategic planning, budget administration, human resources, emergency management and public engagement.”
Pilon emphasized, “Together, we will continue to strengthen our operations, enhance public engagement and pursue strategic development that reflects the needs and aspirations of West Nipissing. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and eager to begin this new chapter.”
Soon after Barbeau announced in February, 2025, that he was retiring this year, council formed an ad hoc committee to begin the process of finding a strong candidate for CAO. The municipality received 32 application, of which 16 candidates were shortlisted.In August, the hiring committee invited six individuals for interviews before narrowing the list to three finalists. On September 17, during a closed session, council unanimously voted to select Pilon . The announcement was made on October 1.
Mayor Thorne Rochon explained, “Our search prioritized an executive leader with experience managing organizations of similar scope and complexity. We were looking for someone with people-centred leadership, a strategic and innovative mindset, and a renewed focus on collaboration, community engagement and service excellence.”
“We are thrilled to have selected someone who not only meets every qualification we were looking for, but who is also part of our community,” the mayor added.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.