Jim Zaffino leaving role as top West Kelowna administrator

WEST KELOWNA – West Kelowna’s senior employee is leaving when his contract expires on June 28.

Jim Zaffino was hired by the newly incorporated Westside District Municipality on Feb. 25, 2008, less than three months after the region incorporated.

He served as Chief Financial Officer for six years before becoming Chief Administrative Officer, according to a City of West Kelowna media release.

“Jim Zaffino was instrumental in establishing the City of West Kelowna’s organizational structure and systems, literally from nothing,” Mayor Gord Milsom said in the release. “West Kelowna Council is extremely grateful for his exemplary years of service and for employing, for our community’s benefit, the tremendous wealth of knowledge he has gained during his 40 years in local government. West Kelowna Council wishes him all the best in the future.”

West Kelowna will try to hire a replacement prior to June so Zaffino can assist in the transition.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments this organization has achieved during my eleven years at the City of West Kelowna, including establishing the City’s first financial systems,” Zaffino said in the release. “I am thankful to have worked for West Kelowna Council and alongside some of the best municipal employees I have ever met. The dedication and commitment West Kelowna staff bring every day continues to be tremendously gratifying.”

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