ROCHESTER — The city has reached into the talent pool of the Oyster River Cooperative School District to find a replacement for former finance director Brian LeBrun.
City Manager John Scruton recently announced the hiring of Blaine Cox, a Lee resident and the business administrator for the Oyster River school district in Durham. Cox has served in that position since 2001.
The hiring comes after the April resignation of LeBrun, who accepted the position of finance director in Concord. LeBrun's absence has made for a sometimes challenging budget season for Rochester officials this year, and Scruton said he wishes Cox had come along sooner in the interview process.
"If I could have hired him in April, I would have," he said. "It takes time when you're hiring senior management."
There were 59 applicants for the position, including some from as far away as California and Florida, Scruton said. Cox's application came in as part of a third round of interviews, and the hiring committee team Scruton assembled unanimously supported Cox's hiring, Scruton said.
That committee's membership fluctuated over time, but those involved in reviewing resumes included Scruton, auditor Bob Vachon, LeBrun, interim finance director Roland Connors, Finance office assistant Shirley McCrillis, Planning Director Kenn Ortmann, Economic Development Manager Karen Pollard, Mayor T.J. Jean, Human Resources manager Diane Hoyt and Police Chief David Dubois. Scruton said he wanted a variety of perspectives.
"I felt they had good managerial experience," he said.
Scruton came away from an interview with Cox impressed with his "energy and vitality" and his understanding of finance. He said Cox's resume showed a long tenure in a responsible finance position and came with excellent references.
"I'm enthusiastic we found such a quality candidate," he said.
As Oyster River business administrator, Cox managed a $23 million renovation and addition at Oyster River High School, worked as part of the district's leadership team on budget and policy development, served as lead administrator on the negotiations team for four collective bargaining agreements and was responsible for coordinating annual town meeting warrants, legal postings and ballot preparations.
Before he joined the school district, Cox was the town administrator in Epping from 1998 until 2001. Before that, he was properties manager for the University of New Hampshire. Cox graduated from the school with a Bachelor's degree in political science in 1984 and with a master's in public administration in 1998.
He is also a part-time adjunct professor of the university's Education Department, teaching finance and business management. He serves on the board of directors for the New Hampshire Local Government Center.
"It is with mixed emotions that I leave Oyster River as I will miss the tremendous people who work in the district here," Cox said in a statement issued by the city manager. "However, I look forward to working for such a great city as Rochester, N.H. I am confident that my skills and experiences will serve the city well and I look forward to making whatever contribution I can to the success of Rochester's future."
Scruton said Cox will join the city on July 19.
I hope the Board makes clear to any applicants that there exists the very real possibility of audit committees and financial advisory oversight. If Rochester got 59 applicants from near and far, I'm confident that the Board can find someone of quality who has no problem with, indeed even welcomes, such oversight.
ReplyDeleteAnd please, let's have a thorough vetting of any candidates and opportunities for the community to meet and greet and question them.
Blaine Cox does not have a strong academic background in accounting. We need a CPA.
ReplyDeleteLets do a more comprehensive audit so we can get a more accurate estimation of damages.