The City of Moose Jaw named Maryse Carmichael the new city manager at a press conference Wednesday morning. 

The decision was ratified during a Personnel Committee meeting prior to the public announcement. 

“I look forward to the challenge. I look forward to meeting the employees of the City of Moose Jaw. I look forward to meeting all the Moose Javians and being here to ensure our city grows,” Carmichael said. 

Originally from Quebec City, Carmichael has lived in Moose Jaw for 19 years and is a member of the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame. 

Carmichael is a former flight instructor at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. In 2000, she became the first woman pilot with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. She was named the air demonstration squadron’s first female commanding officer in 2010. She now becomes the City of Moose Jaw’s first female city manager. 

She retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2013 and moved into numerous leadership roles with CAE, the manufacturer of simulation technology and operators of the NATO Flying Training in Canada program at 15 Wing. 

New city manager and city councilFrom left to right are Coun. Jamey Logan, Coun. Crystal Froese, new City Manager Maryse Carmichael, Mayor Clive Tolley, Coun. Heather Eby, Coun. Dawn Luhning and Coun. Doug Blanc. (Photo by Shawn Slaght)

“Our new city manager has excelled at every level, from air cadets to the Snowbirds to CAE,” said Mayor Clive Tolley.  

“She's recently completed her MBA and with CAE, her most recent employer, she's progressed through a continuum of increased responsibility including business development, community relations, management and a special advisory role.” 

Carmichael compared the city manager’s role to her experience in the Armed Forces. 

“It's a service to the community, to the people that live here, and what better example of teamwork than the Snowbirds and that's what I want to bring here is the teamwork with city council, with all the employees and executive to achieve our objectives for the city,” she said. 

Carmichael takes over the duties of city manager after the retirement of Jim Puffalt last week. The city manager's position is responsible for the daily operation of programs and services in the city and reports to city council. 

Her first day on the job will be Tuesday, May 16.