The Town of Golden announces the upcoming retirement of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Jon Wilsgard, who will be stepping down at the end of 2024. His departure marks the conclusion of a remarkable 35-year career in public service, with 17 years dedicated to serving the Town of Golden.
“After 30 years here, I remain humbled and privileged to have met, worked with, and been inspired by so many people in this community,” said Wilsgard. “My sincere thanks to all of you for making and keeping this place so special and authentic and allowing me to be a part of it.”
His journey in public service began with his studies in geography and resource management, followed by roles with BC Parks in northwestern BC and the BC Forest Service here in Golden. In 2005, he joined the Town of Golden as Economic Development Officer, progressing to the role of Corporate Officer, and eventually being appointed CAO in 2013. Throughout his tenure, Jon has been celebrated for his vision, integrity, and commitment to fostering an inclusive and well-supported municipal team.
“Jon’s leadership has been a cornerstone of our town’s progress and resilience,” said Mayor Ron Oszust. “His deep commitment to Golden and his ability to empower those around him have truly set our community up for lasting success. On behalf of Council and the entire town, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Jon for his years of dedicated service, and we wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
Wilsgard’s legacy includes significant strides to build community partnerships, enabling and empowering many local organizations through the years and building local infrastructure. Local infrastructure initiatives include the advancement of the Resort Municipality Initiative in Golden which has seen a variety of projects come to life in Golden and Area “A,” the completion of the River Walk and Kicking Horse River Dike Improvement Project, and the renewal of the municipal airport. His leadership has shaped the Town of Golden’s core values of reliability, responsibility, and collaboration, leaving a lasting impact on both the organization and the community.
The current CAO’s last day with the Town will be at the end of the year. The recruitment process for a new CAO is already well underway.