BLOUNTVILLE — Sullivan County Mayor Steve Godsey is expected on Monday to make public his latest choice for county budget director.
Godsey told the Sullivan County Commission last month he was close to a decision and would bring his candidate for the job to the commission’s primary committee meetings this month.
The first such meeting is the Administrative Committee, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday.
According to a list of applicants for the job, obtained from Godsey’s office by the Times-News last week, Godsey’s decision holds potential to create a job opening at the Tri-Cities Airport Authority.
William J. Anderson, CPA and director of finance at the airport since 2007, is among those who submitted resumes for the county budget director’s job.
Anderson’s educational background includes a B.S.B.A. from the University of Central Missouri, according to his resume, and he began his career as a senior accountant (1973-1977) at the “Big 4” international accounting firm Price Waterhouse & Co. in New York City. His other local experience includes having been corporate controller (1989-2003) at Electrolux-Aerus, LLC in Bristol, Va.
Last Monday afternoon, the Times-News, citing public records laws, asked Godsey for copies of all resumes or applications submitted regarding the budget director’s job.
Godsey complied quickly, providing nine resumes by 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
In addition to Anderson’s resume, others included:
• Ryan C. Chupa, director of finance since 2006 for First Tennessee Development District. Chupa’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science from Milligan College, according to his resume, and other experience includes work at State of Franklin Savings Bank, Southern Finance and Thrift Corp., and Carter County Bank.
• Brenda J. Merritt, a former assistant city manager for Kingsport (1985-1992), and since 2003 executive coach/senior career management consultant for Right Management. Merritt’s educational background includes a Master of City Management from East Tennessee State University and a B.S. (magna cum laude), also from ETSU.
• James (Todd) Waterman, property administrator for BAE since September 2011. Waterman’s educational background includes a Master in Accounting and Information Technology from Middle Tennessee State University and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from ETSU.
• Melody J. Holz, CPA, a tax preparer for Atlas Tax Service/Wall & Associates in Kingsport since August 2011. Holz’s educational background includes a Master of Business Administration from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw College. Holz’s work experience includes finance manager (September 2008-August 2011) at KForce Government Solutions Inc. and manager, plan accounting, Amerigroup Corp.
• Pamela Carr, accounts payable/administrative coordinator at ETSU — Community Outreach since June 2007. Carr’s educational background includes an Associate of Applied Science degree in computer science/microcomputer specialist from Northeast State Technical Community College.
• John W. Bledsoe, CPA, dual enrollment and summer regional governor school coordinator at Mountain Empire Community College since April 2011 (and Great Expectations program coordinator at MECC from December 2009 to April 2011). Bledsoe’s education background includes a Master of Business Administration from Ashford University, a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and an A.A.S. in accounting and management from MECC.
• Jeffrey Lee Baum, missions support accountant (a federal job) with Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Warner Robbins, Ga., since August 2004. Baum’s resume indicates his current salary is $82,570 per year and his education background includes a B.S. in accounting from Almeda University.
• Don Gonce, banking center manager in Springfield, Mo., Bank of America, since 2005. Gonce’s educational background includes a B.S. in Education (math) from the University of Tennessee.
State law gives Godsey, as county mayor, the authority to select a candidate for the job — but the Sullivan County Commission must approve that choice.
There’s been no public discussion of what the new budget director will be paid.
Sullivan County’s last budget director, Larry Bailey, retired nearly a year ago. The state does not set a salary for the position, but Bailey’s salary had been keyed to match that set by the state as the minimum for several constitutional officeholders — such as county clerk, circuit court clerk, register of deeds and county trustee. That amount last fiscal year — prior to Bailey’s retirement — was $80,474. It increased on July 1, 2012, to $81,762 — and is scheduled to increase on July 1 of this year to $85,531.
Shortly after Bailey’s retirement, the Sullivan County Commission voted to name Gayvern Moore as interim budget director — a role she’s held in the months since.
Moore’s salary, according to information obtained by the Times-News from the county’s payroll office on Friday: $59,900.