It was a day of celebration and joy
mixed with a bit of melancholy on Friday, October 28th at the
Raymond Town Hall as outgoing finance director Nancy Yates handed the baton
over to the newly hired finance director Cathy Ricker.
“I am so thankful for all the
opportunities afforded to me while I was here,” Yates mentioned when asked if
she had any words to share about her retirement. Yates expressed both her
sadness about leaving all the remarkable individuals she has met and worked
with for the past 20 years and yet, is also looking forward to the many
adventures she has planned in her retirement.
Although Yates will be missed, both as a
person and a successful finance director, she is passing the baton onto another
very intelligent and capable individual in Cathy Ricker. Ricker, a certified
public accountant who is a graduate of University of Southern Maine’s accounting
program, began her first official day on Tuesday, October 18th.
“My last
position was as the controller for the City of Portland, I worked there for 6
plus years,” Ricker stated. “I will be working closely with all the town
staff in putting together the annual budgets, the financial statements, and
maintaining the financial records of the town.” Ricker explained.
Other duties that will
be expected of Ricker were listed on the application requirements include budgeting,
investment of funds, and revenue administration that will involve financial
forecasting and capital planning. Also included in the director’s duties are invoice
payments and payroll management as well as preparing financial statements and
reports for presentation to the board of selectmen reflecting financial
standing. Ricker will also be responsible for the preparation of the annual
budget working closely with the town manager and department heads as well as
working with a financial advisor to prepare for bond financing. She will also
prepare required reports as mandated by federal, state and county agencies,
ensuring that cash is safeguarded and will act as the chief liaison with the
auditing firm.
When she is not busy working on the town
finances, Ricker, who lives in Brunswick with her two daughters Teresa and
Jennifer enjoys her free time reading her favorite books and taking long
leisurely and relaxing walks.
“I look
forward to exploring all of Raymond, it is a beautiful town,” Ricker stated. As
a result, one should not be surprised to see Ricker exploring and walking along
one of the many beautiful trails in Raymond during her lunch hour. If you do
see her, be sure to take a moment to welcome her to the great community of
Raymond.
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