Aaron Elmore was chosen among six finalists to take on the role of Cumberland County Finance Director during a Tuesday morning meeting.
Elmore told the Chronicle, “I am humbled to be selected as the next finance director for Cumberland County. I love this community and couldn’t be happier about this opportunity to serve. The staff currently in place has a lot of experience and I am excited to join the team.”
Elmore holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is currently the regional financial controller for Action Heating and Cooling. Other relevant experience includes controller and director of accounting for Veritread, LLC, accountant and assistant controller at TAP Publishing, and internal revenue agent for the IRS in Nashville.
Elmore will replace Nathan Brock, who has held the post for 35 years.
The Cumberland County Finance Committee interviewed Elmore and five others over two days. Following the completion of interviews Dec. 6, the panel recessed to give the members time to review the applicants.
The committee reconvened at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning to begin deliberations.
“I was impressed with all the applicants,” said Nancy Hyder, 2nd District commissioner. “It’s a hard decision. It’s a hard decision.”
Charles Seiber, 4th District commissioner, agreed, adding it was among the toughest decisions he’s faced in this term on the county commission.
Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster suggested the panel begin by everyone stating their top choice, helping to identify if there was a clear favorite among the members.
Elmore received support from John Patterson, 9th District commissioner; William Stepp, director of schools; Hyder; and Stanley Hall, county road superintendent.
Seiber supported local attorney Nathan Clouse, who also had experience in accounting.
Jack Davis, 5th District commissioner, and Foster both supported Jennifer Turner, deputy finance director for the office.
With four members selecting Elmore, Foster suggested the panel move to appoint Elmore by acclamation.
Hyder did so, supported by Foster.
“The reason I’m doing that, I don’t have a thing against any of them. They’d all be excellent,” Hyder said. “But if we’ve got a 4-3 vote, they might think they don’t have our support, and I can support any of them.”
The panel agreed, with no one opposed.
The county finance office handles financial matters for the county government, including payroll, purchasing and requisitions. That includes employees of the various county offices, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and Cumberland County School System.
The salary is $102,042 annually, which is the same as the salary for the county trustee position, an elected constitutional office.