The Fremont County Commissioners on Thursday announced their national search for a new county manager has yielded two highly qualified finalists.
The two finalists are Tony Carochi of Cañon City and Robert Reece of Garden City, Kan.
The public is invited to a meet and greet with the two finalists from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in the atrium of the Fremont County Administration Building, 615 Macon Ave. Attendees will have the opportunity to give written input after meeting the finalists.
Carochi has an extensive background in public service, including 28 years with the Colorado Department of Corrections. He currently is the Executive Director of the Fremont County Department of Human Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Science with a Minor in Sociology from Colorado State University, Pueblo.
Similarly, Reece also has many years of experience with county government in Kansas. He currently serves as County Administrator in Finney County, Kan., and holds a Master of Business Administration in Operations Management from Kansas State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
“Both finalists are highly qualified for the position,” said Commissioner Debbie Bell, board chairman, in a press release. “We expect this to be a difficult decision and anticipate great input from our community.”
The commissioners contracted Columbia Ltd. and Founder/CEO Andrew Gorgey to conduct the search to replace Sunny Bryant, who accepted the Deputy County Administrator position for El Paso County in September. Her last day with Fremont County was Oct. 27. She served as Fremont County Manager since April 2016.
Tammy Childs has been serving as the Interim County Manager until the position can be filled.
A total of 19 candidates applied for the position, including seven in Colorado, 10 others throughout the United States, one from Pakistan and one from British Columbia, Canada. Columbia LTD narrowed the field to present a great deal of information on the six most qualified applicants, according to the press release, and the commissioners chose the finalists for in-person interviews.
The final decision will be made by the Fremont County Commissioners, Debbie Bell, Dwayne McFall and Kevin Grantham.
The new county manager is expected to be on the job to begin duties after the first of the new year.
