MAHONING COUNTY Human resources chief to be hired

The new HR director has worked in the prosecutor's office since 1999.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners were expected to hire Connie Pierce today as the county's new human resources director.
Pierce will replace J. Kevin Sellards, who was hired in 1996 as the county first personnel director and is retiring at the end of this month.
Pierce has been an assistant county prosecutor since 1999, handling matters like workers' compensation claims, labor arbitration, grievances and employment law.
She was instrumental in helping the county turn around its dismal workers' comp track record by implementing new policies and procedures.
Reasons for choice: That background, and the fact that she's already familiar with the county's policies and systems, are what made her an attractive candidate, commissioners said.
"I think the transition will be excellent," said Commissioner David Ludt. "I don't think there will be any bumps in the road."
Commissioner Ed Reese said Pierce already has the respect of county employees and has established a history of working with them on employment issues.
Top priority: Pierce, who will be paid $65,000 a year, said her top priority will be establishment of a central personnel office that is used by all county departments.
That was the goal when the department was created seven years ago, but some elected officials have opted to maintain control of some aspects of their personnel functions.
Centralization of the personnel operation was recommended in a recent performance audit of county government by the state auditor's office.
Pierce said her job in the prosecutor's office gave her a unique perspective for her new position.
"Things would be brought to me after something had gone wrong and I was supposed to fix it," she said. "That helped me to see what needed to be done differently to avoid those problems."
Budget director: With a human resources director on board, commissioners will next turn their attention to finding a budget director, said Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock.
She said county Administrator Gary Kubic and employees from the auditor's office have handled the job well since January 1998, when the last budget director resigned, but the job requires full-time attention.
"That's the next step for us," Sherlock said.
Kubic said he's working with Auditor George Tablack to screen candidates and hopes to see someone hired by Sept. 1.
bjackson@vindy.com