Woodstock CAO to Retire After Decades of Dedicated Service

After 35 years of dedicated service to the City of Woodstock, David Creery, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), will be retiring in the new year.   

Creery has been a steady and trusted leader throughout his career, supporting staff, strengthening municipal services, and helping shape the long‑term direction of our organization. When David joined the city in 1992 as the Development and Facilities Engineer, Woodstock was a community of about 30,000 residents. Today, our population is more than 50,000 - and about 40 per cent of that growth has occurred since David became CAO in 2011. His leadership during this period has played an important role in supporting the city’s ability to grow, adapt, and continue delivering services that meet the needs of a changing community.

Over the years, Creery worked with 10 different Councils, helping guide the Corporation through periods of change, major projects, and significant challenges, including the cyber-attack and the pandemic. His calm, thoughtful leadership and commitment to teamwork have been hallmarks of his service.

“I’ve always believed that everything we accomplish in municipal work is a team effort. The best part of this job has been the people - the dedicated staff, the supportive Councils, and the community members who care deeply about Woodstock. I’ve been fortunate to lead dedicated teams who bring their best every day, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together,” Creery said. “Serving our community has been a privilege. It has been genuinely rewarding to assist so many homebuilders, contractors, business owners, and residents on their projects.

Across his roles including Development and Facilities Engineer, Deputy City Engineer, City Engineer, and CAO, Creery contributed to many major initiatives, including:

• Leading the development of the City’s 2013 community‑based strategic plan.
• Leading and playing an integral role in many public building projects such as the Reeves Community Complex, Woodstock Public Library renovation and addition, Museum restoration and expansion, Market Building renovation, and Cowan Park Sportsplex.
• Advanced improvements to many city services such as recycling and public transit.
• Streamlined the development approval process, giving the city a reputation as a good place to invest. 
• Assisted numerous industrial investments and developments through their due diligence processes, helping projects advance smoothly and achieve successful outcomes.
• A focus on strengthening financial sustainability of the Corporation and improving the condition of our assets with an emphasis on the quality of our roads. 

“It’s been an honour, and I’m grateful for the support and friendships built along the way. Working with each of you and for this community has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, and I’m grateful for everyone who supported me along the way,” Creery said. “Seeing our city evolve over the past 35 years and playing a role in that journey has been incredibly meaningful.”

Creery’s last day in the office is planned for February 5, 2027.

“Mr. Creery’s dedication to Woodstock has been remarkable. It’s been a pleasure working with him over the past 12 years and he’s continually led with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to our community. We are grateful for everything he’s contributed over the years and while we will miss him, we wish him all the best in his much‑deserved retirement,” said Mayor Jerry Acchione.

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