Westbrook officials on Friday named John Wipfler, a career healthcare and law professional, as the interim assistant city administrator for business and community relations.

Wipfler will step in to the role vacated by Bill Baker, who announced his retirement from the city in April after nearly four years. But, officials say Wipfler is only a temporary replacement.

Wipfler has had a lengthy career leading various healthcare organizations, including as CEO of Spectrum Medical Group in South Portland, and CEO of OA Centers for Orthopaedics in Portland. Also a lawyer, Wipfler practiced law with a concentration in the areas of corporate and health care law with Pierce Atwood of Portland, and formerly served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Maine.

Westbrook City Administrator Jerre Bryant said Friday that he and Mayor Colleen Hilton felt pressure to fill the vacancy left by Baker, especially with various city projects in need of attention and the city seeing increased development.

“It’s a very key position, and there are too many things going on right now. We didn’t want to lose momentum,” he said, adding that Wipfler has a “wealth of experience.”

Bryant said he expects Wipfler to fill the role for between 3-6 months, as the city searches for a permanent replacement. He said Wipfler was only interested in a temporary role, and is currently in the process of developing his own business.

“I think we found the perfect person to fill in and carry us through,” he said.

According to a city press release Friday, Wipfler has a Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School and an MBA from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.

Throughout his career, he has served on several boards and commissions and has been an instructor and presenter of several leadership development programs. He lives in Portland with his family.

“We’re confident that John will be a key leader for our business community to continue the tradition established to be responsive to our business, development and community stakeholders,” Hilton said in the release.

John Wipfler