Kent’s assistant finance director Paula Barry has been named interim finance director by Mayor Suzette Cooke.
Barry, a 16-year city employee, will oversee the 33-employee finance department while the city seeks a permanent replacement for Bob Nachlinger who retired last month after 10 years with the city.
“We’re fortunate to have someone of Paula’s talent and experience step into this position,” Cooke said in a city media release. “I’m very confident in her ability to oversee the city’s financial operations.”
Barry joined the city in 1997 and served various roles in the finance department including senior accountant and financial planning manager until being appointed to the assistant finance director role five years ago.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to step in,” Barry said. “I care about this department, its credibility and where it’s headed. There is no question that Bob is a hard act to follow after steering the city through the recession. I intend to provide stable leadership during this transition.”
Barry earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. She is the mother to two young daughters.
Interested parties may apply for the position on the city’s website. The city is in the planning stages to do a national search for a permanent replacement.
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