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Mike Stephens Resigns

August 30, 2013 permalink

Mike Stephens is retiring as chief executive officer of Chatham-Kent Children's Services. This is the second retirement of a CAS executive director this month. Could there be more to it than just a desire to spend more time with the family?

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Head of Chatham-Kent Children's Services chooses early retirement

After 13 years, Mike Stephens will leave his office of chief executive officer at the Chatham-Kent Children's Services for the last time Thursday.

Stephens told The Chatham Daily News he's 63 years old and wants to spend more time with his four grand children, pursuing hobbies and celebrating a 40th wedding anniversary in Vienna later this year.

CKCS board president Monika Bacic announced Stephens' retirement in a letter addressed To Whom it May Concern released to the media Thursday afternoon.

"Please be advised that after 39 years serving children and their families in a variety of capacities in both children's mental health and child protection our chief executive officer has announced his retirement effective Oct. 11, 2013," Bacic stated in the letter.

"Mike Stephens ... will be missed by the board, staff and the community," she added.

"I have a great board and staff," Stephens said, adding he'll miss both, but after working full time without a break since he was 20, he's ready for the next chapter in his life.

"I leave tomorrow for a bike (cycling) trip," Stephens said.

He described the outing as a social trip with other couples to ride an old rail line once used to transport skiers into the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec.

A Florida golf trip is also planned, Stephens said.

Bacic described Stephens' accomplishments in child protection as well known, not only locally, but provincially and internationally.

Prior to coming to Chatham-Kent, Stephens worked in children's services in Bruce County, Calgary and Waterloo Region.

He said he's been talking about retirement for five years, but more seriously with his board of directors since July.

The outgoing CEO will use his accumulated vacation time until his official retirement occurs in October.

The board will begin a search for Stephens' replacement immediately and will announce an interim CEO shortly, Bacic stated in the news release.

Source: Chatham Daily News

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