The Catoosa County Commission unanimously voted Tuesday night to hire a chief financial officer from Whitfield County.
Carol Roberts, who served as an assistant finance director in Whitfield County for five years, will take over the reins in Catoosa County on May 20, Commission Chair Steven Henry said.
County Manager Alicia Vaughn, who worked with Roberts for five years before coming to Catoosa County in September, recommended her for the job out of 19 candidates. Of those who applied, Vaughn said, Roberts was the only one with finance experience with a county government.
She said only one other applicant worked for any sort of local government. That candidate worked for a city, but it was several years ago.
"Counties and cities can be very different," Vaughn said. "She has that experience."
Roberts replaces Carl Henson, who worked for Catoosa County for 16 years. Henson retired Friday.
Vaughn, Henson, Human Resources Director Ann Cain and Finance Director Rachel Clark interviewed the first round of candidates. After narrowing the list to a final three, Vaughn said, the county commissioners interviewed the candidates March 19.
Vaughn recommended Roberts for the job. The commissioners approved the hire Tuesday.
Roberts will make $95,000 a year, Vaughn said. Henson most recently made $100,000 annually.