Two McKean County employees are leaving their posts this month, one to retire and one to take a new job.
Mary Jo Sherwood’s last day as county treasurer is Nov. 30, when she will retire, and Andrew Johnson’s last day as the director of the Emergency Management Agency and the McKean County 911 Center was Wednesday, Commissioner Carol Duffy said.
Sherri Swanson is taking over as acting treasurer on Dec. 1, said Duffy.
Regarding Sherwood’s time in office, Duffy said, “I’d like to thank her for her service as an elected official.” She noted that Sherwood has worked for the county for many years, saying, “I know that she has certainly served the county well.”
Sherwood has worked in the treasurer’s office for nearly two decades, serving in positions including first deputy treasurer and acting treasurer until she was first elected into the post of treasurer in 2013.
According to Dinah Gallegos, county director of elections, Sherwood is one year into her current four-year term.
Gallegos said an appointment would remain in the position of treasurer through the end of 2019, and the position will be on the election ballot this spring for a two-year term that will begin at the start of 2020 and last through 2021.
“They don’t change the cycle if they resign in the middle,” Gallegos explained.
After that, the treasurer’s position will go back on the ballot as a four-year term.
Meanwhile, Johnson is pursuing employment elsewhere, said Duffy. She believes he worked for McKean County for 12 ½ years.
Duffy did not say where Johnson will be working.
Johnson was a 911 dispatcher for several years before being named 911 director in 2014. He took on the role of EMA director in addition to 911 director in 2016.
He has handed in his letter of resignation and his last day was Wednesday, according to Duffy.
Jerry Rettger and Joel Anderson will perform Johnson’s duties in those departments until he is replaced.
“We’re in very capable hands until we get a permanent director down there,” said Duffy. “They’ve been there quite a few years.”
The county will be advertising for Johnson’s replacement.
“We’ll keep moving forward and getting the best people in place that we can for the emergency service director position,” said Duffy.
