By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
The search for a new finance director for the city of Branson has apparently ended. According to information released by the city, Lori Helle, the current director of finance and administration for the city of Chesterfield, Missouri has been hired as its new finance director. She was selected from among five finalists and is expected to start on effective Sep. 22. Branson City Administrator, Dean Kruithof said, “Lori is personable and knowledgeable and will be a tremendous asset to our management team.”
From a resume perspective, Helle has more than 14 years experience in city finances with six years of supervisory experience. She has been with the city of Chesterfield, a suburb of St. Louis with a population of 47,000, since September 2007 and was responsible for directing all accounting, financial and administrative operations including financial planning, general accounting, budgeting and debt administration.
Prior to Chesterfield, Helle was director of budget and finance in Ellisville, MO for five years; director of finance and treasurer in Shrewsbury, MO for three years and served five years as finance officer for Glendale, MO. She is a graduate of Drury College in Springfield with a BA in Accounting and Business Administration and currently studying for her MBA in Business Administration at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, with anticipated graduation in May 2009.
