TALLADEGA COUNTY — The County Commission conducted a second interview Wednesday with Wayne Hall of Sylacauga, a candidate to become the next county administrator.The Wednesday interview examined in more depth several issues that had been addressed at Hall’s first interview Nov. 30. Commissioners sought to understand Hall’s management style and qualifications.
Commission Chairman Kelvin Cunningham asked Hall a question summing up much of what was discussed in the approximately hour-long interview: “Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?”
“I’ve got extensive experience in developing and implementing policy, legal and regulatory compliance,” Hall said. “I’ve done a lot of work in the area of governmental affairs, including lobbying experience and maintaining a positive relationship with elected officials. … I think over the years I’ve done a good job of maintaining a positive relationship and open communication with the press. … I think I’ve got a good track record of getting people to work together for a common purpose. I’m extremely loyal to the people I work for, and I would never give any commissioner here any reason to doubt your ability to trust me or confide in me.”
Hall, a human resources consultant with Bowater paper mill in Childersburg, earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration from what is now Troy University and a master’s from the University of Alabama. He told the commission that his experience managing people and money would serve the county well in a time of transition.
Commissioner Ed Lackey told Hall that with several key county positions in flux and serious issues facing the county government, a county administrator must be prepared to give honest advice and make hard decisions, both when dealing with county employees and the commission.
“I myself am not looking for a nice guy,” Lackey said. “My experience is that nice guys finish last. I’m looking for the person that’s most qualified, be they white, black, Hispanic, a man, a woman, whatever. … I believe in the three ‘F’s: fair, firm and friendly. If you operate within those three ‘F’s, you won’t have any problems.”
“I’m not a yes man,” Hall said.
Commissioner John Carter asked Hall if his management philosophy was more “democratic” or “autocratic”. Hall said neither fully described a good manager, who implements both approaches in various situations.
“I’m not a ‘do it my way or else’ kind of person,” Hall said. “… But in other situations, you can’t let the class vote on how long recess is going to be.”
Cunningham asked Hall what he felt to be the “most pressing situation” facing Talladega County. Hall said he believed it is ensuring proper controls and management of county resources, financially and otherwise.
“From what I’ve gathered, there are some links in the chain that are not in place,” Hall said.
Several commissioners asked Hall how he would resolve interpersonal conflicts, whether between county employees or the commissioners themselves, and issues of an employee’s performance needing correction. Hall said establishing clear goals and duties for employees is important. When leaders disagree, an administrator must help them find common ground, he said.
“If you get people focused on the issues, that common purpose … they start coming together,” Hall said.
Some of the discussion centered on how a potential agreement between the commission and, if selected, Hall would be structured, and working conditions the county administrator faces.
Commissioner Tony Haynes asked Hall if he would be comfortable with a contract provision creating a one-year trial period during which his employment could be ended by either party without penalty. Hall said he would be agreeable to that in theory.
Commissioner Jimmy Roberson noted that the county administrator does not necessarily have to be a contract position, rather than a day-to-day employee, though he later said he does favor a contract model like the current arrangement. He also told Hall that the job sometimes requires 16-hour days and presence at weekend meetings without a structured system of compensatory time off. Hall said he was prepared for such responsibilities.
“You don’t need to be worried about that with me,” Hall said.
The job opening arose when the commission voted unanimously in August not to renew the contract of current county administrator Jim Hilber, whose contract runs through Feb. 13, 2007. Hilber, who became administrator in 1994, reapplied for the job, but has not yet been scheduled for an interview.
Only one candidate in addition to Hall has already been interviewed by the commission. A third, C. Gregory Williams, manager of Jasper County, Ga., was scheduled to interview Monday, but could not be available at that time. No decision has been made about rescheduling his interview or interviewing any of the other approximately 15 candidates who submitted resumes. The matter will be addressed at the commission’s next meeting, scheduled for Dec. 28, Cunningham said.
