By Cathy Kozlowicz
Correspondent
Jessica Conley, an Elkhorn Area High School graduate, was named the Finance Director for Walworth County at the special joint meeting of the Human Resources and Finance Committees Feb.12. The County Board of Directors approved the nomination.
Conley was the comptroller of the county since 2007 and started her tenure with the county in 2003 as a senior accountant. Before her career with Walworth County, she was at Baker Tilly as an accountant and later, senior accountant. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.
“She is a skilled financial professional with a collaborative work style. I am confident that Jessica will provide continuity to this important aspect of our operation and will build upon the solid foundation that Nicki has established,” County Administrator David Bretl wrote in his nominating letter to the Walworth County Board of Supervisors.
Conley will be replacing Nicki Anderson, who will be retiring.
“I am very excited,” Conley said. “I think I have a strong Walworth County historical knowledge.”
She said there was some succession planning for Anderson’s job and she was hopeful she would be promoted.
“She (Anderson) has been an amazing mentor, and I credit her with the strong financial background we have here,” Conley said.
Conley said one of her first goals is to do an effective succession by training staff for their positions. She will have to train someone to be in her position as well as other positions that may be open.
The county is in the hiring process for the Comptroller position.
“The first step is to fill all the roles of the department,” she said. “My other goal is to really collaborate with the departments to bring financial insight to the department goals,” Conley said.
She will assume her new role on July 2.
