A pattern of turnover in key Grand Traverse County leadership positions continued this week as the county announced both the hiring of a new finance director and the resignation of its IT director.

County Administrator Tom Menzel announced the hiring Monday of Jody Lundquist as the county’s new finance director. The position has been vacant since Dean Bott left in December to take a job with the Grand Traverse County Road Commission. Prior to her hiring by Grand Traverse County, Lundquist served as Finance Director/Treasurer for Benton Harbor from 2012-2015, and most recently served as chief financial officer of Flint from June 2015 until this month. Lundquist occasionally found herself in the media spotlight in the past year along with other Flint administrators when the city billed – then later refunded – Flint residents for water usage during the city’s lead contamination crisis.

In a press release on the hiring, Menzel noted Lundquist “brings a breadth of knowledge, experience, and strong financial skills that have assisted communities through critical financial times.” He continued that “Lundquist’s experience in financially distressed communities is an asset to the county,” and said she would be a “key contributor” in creating a plan for the county’s financial future.

Lundquist – who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness and Certificate in Accountancy from Arizona State University – assumes her new position July 5. “I look forward to contributing to the long-term success of the county through ensuring sound financial planning and best practices,” Lundquist said in a written statement. “I am delighted to join such a strong, talented team that is dedicated to making an already great community even better.”

On the same day Lundquist’s hiring was announced, County IT Director Don Sheehan tendered his resignation effective July 1. The resignation came less than a week after county commissioners discussed an audit from IT consulting firm Trivalent Group that identified several security vulnerabilities and a lack of strategic direction in the county’s IT department. Trivalent Group took care, however, to note in its report that Sheehan was “perceived as responsive” and is “highly respected” by county staff, and that “maintaining the local presence of the IT staff and retaining most members of the IT department were cited in surveys and in focus groups as the absolute highest priority.”

In a memo to county employees and commissioners Monday, Menzel said Sheehan “has been very gracious in committing to complete the IT budget and some action plans prior to his July 1 departure.” Menzel also said he wanted to “thank (Sheehan) for his many years of service to Grand Traverse County.” A reason for Sheehan’s resignation was not provided.

Pictured: Jody Lundquist