4/9/09
Two finalists are vying for the job of managing the city of Española’s Finance Department.
Acting City Manager Veronica Albin said she and Human Resources Director Jeanie Brito interviewed Preston Cox, of Embudo, and Andrew J. Perkins, of Santa Fe, Tuesday for the finance manager position.
“We’re going to check references and make a decision by Thursday (4/9),” Albin said.
The top spot in the city’s Finance Department has gone unmanned since last June, when former chief financial officer Elias Martinez resigned just weeks after complaining about city councilors interfering with administrators’ work.
Josie Lujan, then the city’s accounting specialist, was named finance director after Martinez’s departure and selected to take over until the city hired a replacement. Lujan has been working part-time since at least early August and took a 13-week medical leave of absence starting in early November.
Albin said the finance manager position, which is advertised at a salary range of $60,000 to $67,000 is equivalent to the position of chief financial officer.
Cox is the owner and developer of the Embudo Station property and is also an accountant. Cox has worked as a bill analyst for several state legislative committees, according to his resume.
Cox has a bachelor’s degree in business from Western New Mexico University, a master’s degree in finance from Texas Christian University and a list of references that reads like a who’s who of state politics. On the list were Gov. Bill Richardson, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Sen. Richard Martinez (D-Española), former governor Gary Carruthers, Española businessman Richard Cook and Rio Arriba politico Al Duran, the father of City Councilor Danielle Duran and Library Board President Clarissa Duran.
Perkins has run a private accounting practice focused on government agencies and non-profit organizations since 1999, according to his resume. He has a bachelor’s degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Penn.
Perkins was also director of administrative services for the state Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department from 2007 to 2008 and chief financial officer of the state General Services Department from 2003 to 2004.
Brito and Albin picked Cox and Perkins out of a pool of 11 applicants and eight finalists.
The other finalists, who were invited to a first round of interviews, were:
• Laurie Ann Cata, of Española, the Pojoaque Pueblo comptroller.
• Vita Henderson, of Española. The most recent work experience on her resume is as an office manager for Los Alamos County until April 2007..
• Joseph O. Montoya, of Española, a self-employed accountant.
• Heather Velasquez, of Española, who is currently a financial specialist for the state Supreme Court’s law library.
• Kevin C. Armstrong is a public finance specialist for the bond department at the Bricker and Eckler law firm in Gahanna, Ohio.
• John Sutherland Jr. who is currently the Tucumcari city manager.
Three applicants were eliminated prior to interviews. They were:
• Dan T. Garcia, is a management health specialist for the state Health Policy Comission.
• Deborah Abeyta, a self-employed business consultant and owner of Abeyta and Associates Consulting and Development.
• Tracy D. Lopez, owner of the Just For You hair salon in Dixon.
Raft of Vacancies
The city began advertising March 26 for a deputy police chief to replace Larry Ham, who took a 12-week leave starting March 27 and plans to retire immediately after that.
The city also began advertising April 3 for the newly-created position of public works director. The director would oversee the city’s Water, Streets, Fleet and General Services departments and also oversee funding and construction of infrastructure projects, Albin said.
Also on April 3, the city reopened its call for applications for a city attorney.
The city had narrowed its search for a city attorney to two candidates — former appeals judge Ira Robinson and former assistant district attorney A.J. Salazar — in February. Mayor Joseph Maestas declined to appoint Robinson citing lack of support from the Council. Salazar withdrew his name.
Paula Maynes, a Santa Fe lawyer on contract for $185 an hour, has been acting city attorney since Spence Pacheco left the post after being elected District Attorney in November.
The city also finished collecting applications for a library director, though the interview process for that position is stalled.
Albin said the Library Board said it wants a say in selecting the director, but has not yet met to create an interview committee. Brito said she handed over all applications for the position to Clarissa Duran.
Duran said the Board no longer plans to create an interview committee, but will likely send a representative to participate in interviews. A public records request for a list of applicants has not been fulfilled.