Susan Hickey is the new Chief Financial Officer for Derry, confirmed Tuesday evening, Dec. 2, by the Town Council.
Hickey’s last post was as Director of Finance and Administration for Londonderry.
Hickey earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Southern New Hampshire University. She began her finance career at Melanson, Heath and Co., Derry’s current audit partner, as a Senior Accountant and Auditor. She served as Finance Director for Goffstown and began her association with Londonderry in 2001.
Derry Human Resources Director Larry Budreau wrote in an e-mail, “Susan has a thorough, comprehensive understanding of municipal finance and is poised to immediately begin managing the development of the FY 16 budget.
Town Administrator Galen Stearns said one of Hickey’s qualities that impressed him was that she can “hit the ground running.”
Londonderry is similar to Derry, he said. “We have a lot of the same issues. Her knowledge will be helpful to us,” he added.
Londonderry town employees received notification Nov. 6 that Hickey was no longer Finance Director. Londonderry Town Manager Kevin Smith has referred questions on the issue to Town Attorney Michael Ramsdell. Right-To-Know requests filed by the Londonderry Times, Nutfield News’ sister paper, were rejected by Smith, who said Hickey’s situation was exempt due to RSA 91:A: 5 (personnel and confidential data).
Hickey requested a public hearing but withdrew her request Dec. 1. Londonderry agreed that Hickey could resign effective Dec. 1, Smith said in an email.
Stearns said he was aware of the issues between Hickey and her former employer, but said he could not see them having any bearing on her hiring or her performance for Derry. “Her explanation to me was satisfactory,” he said.
Budreau said Hickey’s starting salary will be $106,000.
Hickey begins work at Derry on Dec. 15.
