After being at the helm for the last four years, St. Thomas Aquinas Roman (STAR) Catholic’s superintendent is moving on.
Dr. Troy Davies, who has held the top job since September 2013 after spending just over three years as assistant superintendent, tendered his resignation to the board of trustees on Dec. 29 and will take effect on Apr. 2.
Davies is leaving to become the CEO for Catholic Social Services (CSS).
According to a release from CSS, Davies will start on Apr. 3 and was selected following an extensive search by an executive headhunting company.
For STAR, the search will begin immediately for its fifth superintendent since it was founded in 1995, although a deadline for the position to be filled was not released.
Board of trustees chair Michelle Lamer, explained his decision is a big loss for the school division.
“His passion for Catholic education and his skill and ability in creating strong faith-based learning environments and cultures is exceptional,” Lamer stated in a release.
“I sincerely admire all that he has done to move our school division forward and am very pleased to know that his commitment to serving people will continue on in a new capacity here in Alberta. Catholic Social Services is gaining a very dedicated and faithful servant leader.”
In a statement of his own, Davies thanked everyone at STAR for working with him and how he is looking forward to the future.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at Catholic Social Services. There is such important work being done by CSS and I feel blessed and honoured to be selected to serve as its next CEO. I look forward to working with the board, staff and stakeholders as we move forward with the organization’s inspiring mission of service.
“At the same time, I am sorry to be saying good-bye to STAR Catholic, an organization I have grown to love deeply. I am very proud of the remarkable team of people that work in our schools and division office. Together, we have accomplished so much in the service of students. The school division is in great shape and its future looks brighter than ever.”
STAR Catholic is responsible for St. Augustine School in Ponoka along with facilities in Lacombe, Beaumont, Wetaskiwin, Drayton Valley and Leduc.
-Dwyer