Council has appointed Chris Adams as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley.

The popular officer joined the Shire as executive manager of development services in June this year.

His sense of humour and straightforward approach has won him support from councillors and fellow officers.

The appointment, for a term of five years, was made at a council meeting last week.

Shire President Barbara Johnson said that the council was pleased with the appointment and excited about the future under Mr Adams leadership.

"Mr Adams has the skills, expertise and attitude that council is looking for to lead us in our efforts to work with the community to achieve our Strategic Plan," she said.

With the incumbent CEO Bob Smillie keen to hand over the reins immediately, Mr Adams moved straight into his new position the day after the council meeting.

Mr Smillie was adamant that the staff should move straight under Mr Adams command rather than a slow transition period.

Mr Smillie, who has been 'care taking' the position since January, will continue to work on special projects with the Shire until early in the New Year.

It is possible that he will then go on to instigate the formation of a Kimberley regional council.

Mr Smillie is a governance consultant, who was called in at a moment's notice after the shock resignation of former CEO Phil Rob.

He has enthusiastically moved to streamline the Shire's operation and clean up some of its financial woes.

Not long after taking the top job, he revealed that the Shire had virtually no corporate memory and some staff members were operating computer programs without the necessary training.