LITTLE VALLEY — Kelly Reed, deputy administrator for Cattaraugus County, has been selected as the county’s next administrator upon the retirement of John “Jack” Searles.
The county legislature on Wednesday unanimously approved Reed’s appointment, which commences June 29 with the term ending Sept. 13, 2027. Reed will also continue to perform the duties and responsibilities of the director of the Department of Nursing Homes.
She has directed the Pines in Olean and Machias since 2016. She also previously served as deputy treasurer for the county.
“It is my true pleasure to be able to recommend, on behalf of the entire legislature, Kelly Reed as our next county administrator,” said Kelly Andreano, majority leader. “We are honored and so excited to have you in this role.”
While Searles will be sorely missed, Andreano said, Reed has proven herself to be up for the position with 25 years of serving the county in numerous roles throughout her career.
Cattaraugus County Administrator Jack Searles
“She is highly experienced, well-educated and has really proven herself as a strong leader,” Andreano said of Reed. “I have no qualms, as does no one in the legislature, that she will continue to lead this county forward.”
Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr called Reed’s appointment “a watershed resolution” due to Searles’s retirement in the coming weeks.
“After his long, successful career with the county, he’s ready to hand the reins over to Kelly,” Burr said.
In January 2020, Reed was honored by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) as one of four county officials from across the state to graduate from the association’s County Government Institute.
The educational program is offered to county leaders in partnership with Cornell University. Graduates earn a certification that demonstrates their dedication to good government and to upholding CGI’s high standards of county leadership, accountability and integrity.
Searles, currently in his 22nd year as administrator, is only the second person to hold the post. He served as deputy administrator under his predecessor, Donald Furman, and before that was director of the Department of Aging.
“You’ve had some great, long-standing training and experience with Jack, and all your high-energy and great ideas, we appreciate everything we do,” Burr told Reed. “I think we all look forward to working with you in the future, and I can’t think of anybody who will do a better job.”
Also Wednesday, the legislature authorized the appointment of Kristine Phinney as personnel officer effective June 29 and ending April 30, 2027, to fill Searles’s unexpired term. Phinney currently serves as deputy personnel officer.
Kristine Phinney takes her oath of office as the next Cattaraugus County personnel officer from Judge Ronald Ploetz Wednesday. The county legislature unanimously appointed Phinney to the position beginning June 29 upon the retirement of John “Jack” Searles.
“On behalf of the legislature, it’s my honor also to have Kristine Phinney be nominated for the personnel officer position,” Legislator Ginger Schroder said.
Schroder said she’s worked with Phinney since 2017, when Schroder worked as outside counsel for the county, negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
“I couldn’t have done it without Kristine. She’s been an excellent resource, an expert in Civil Service law,” Schroder said. “We are very lucky to have her, and we’re very excited that she expressed interest.”
Burr also commended Reed for her service to the county, “looking out for taxpayers and doing all the hard work with HR and all the associated issues that arise from them.
“We thank you for all that you’ve done, and your track record has been splendid,” Burr added.
