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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway announced Thursday, June 17, that Whitney Richland has been named Deputy County Administrator. She started in her new role Monday, June 21.</p>
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<p>“Whitney has excelled as the County Chief Financial officer by updating our account system and procedures and leading her office through multiple mandated audits while creating the FY22 budget that efficiently uses taxpayers’ dollars,” Greenway said in a release. “The strengths she brings to this role will complement mine as together, we lead County government and manage more than 1,400 County employees.”</p>
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<p>Miss Richland will be paid $163,000 along with the traditional benefits package offered to County employees.</p>
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<p>Miss Richland’s previous role was Assistant County Administrator/Chief Financial Officer for Beaufort County — a position she’s held since October 2020. She has planned activities and directed staff to complete the Annual Financial Report and annual external audit. She developed and implemented new procedures based on best practices to improve accountability in the Finance Department starting in FY 2021. Additionally, she has provided sound recommendations for prudent use of surplus funds to refund and defease debt to Council, resulting in a savings to County taxpayers of approximately $5 million.</p>
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<p>“I am honored to continue working with all our terrific County employees and eager to assist Eric in day-to-day operations,” Richland said. “I look forward to working closely with our County Council and getting more involved in the variety of exciting projects that reflect our growth while preserving our precious Lowcountry beauty.”</p>
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<p>Miss Richland previously served as Bulloch County Board of Commissioners Chief Accountant from November 2013 to September 2014 before being promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2014. Prior to her role in Bulloch County Finance, she began her career as an Auditor with the Georgia Department of Audits in 2010.</p>
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<p>Her education includes dual bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration in Accounting and Management from Georgia Southern University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and certified Governmental Financial Manager with the Association of Government Accountants.</p>
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