Mathis helps Alpena County during transition

ALPENA -- It is going to take teamwork, from the board of commissioners to the department heads and staff, to pick up the extra work created by the resignation of former Alpena County Administrator Mary Catherine Hannah.

To help steer the ship until a new administrator is hired, the Alpena County Board of Commissioners appointed Jennifer Mathis as the interim administrator. She will oversee human resources, payroll, and financial approvals and help allocate work and projects to the proper department to other staff that handles those types of specific matters.

"Right now, I have the board's permission to sign off on invoices, policies, and manage employee time cards," she said. "As calls come in, or action needs to be taken in other things, I direct them to the place they need to go and who to talk to."

Hannah, who took a job as Administrator in Saginaw County, worked her last day in the middle of January. She worked for the county for a little over two years.

Mathis said things are different in the commissioners and administrator's office and a little disjointed, but so far, things are running smoothly, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the staff.

"There is definitely a heavier workload but we rolled up our sleeves and are chugging along," Mathis said. "I think we work well together and we have been relying on the board chair a lot too."

The chairman of the board of commissioners is John Kozowski. Mathis said Treasurer Kim Ludlow has also helped her during her increased responsibility.

The county recently hired a consultant who will lead the search for a new administrator, but Mathis said she will not be applying for the gig because she still needs more seasoning and experience.

As far as the hunt for Hannah's replacement, the board is waiting on a survey from its consultant that will seek information about what the county seeks in an administrator.

Once the consultant sorts through the responses to the survey, it will begin marketing the job. Then, the resumes and applications will be combed through to find the best candidates that fit the needs and requirements the commissioners established.

There is no timetable for when interviews or a new administrator could be hired.

Mathis said she doesn't mind the added duties and responsibilities she has now but doesn't intend to apply for Hannah's former position.

"I like the administrative role and helping to oversee the different departments, but I think I need at least a couple more years working in the government," she said. "I need to get my feet a little more wet before I could even think about taking on a role that big. Mary Catherine left some big footprints here and has big shoes to fill. I'm not quite ready for that."