COLUMBIA, MO (February 14, 2011) -

City Manager Bill Watkins announced today that John Blattel, the city’s interim director of the Finance Department, will assume the director’s position permanently, effective today. Blattel has held the interim post since Dec. 3 and served as the city’s internal auditor for 2 ½  years before that.

“We conducted a search process and interviewed three candidates,” Watkins said.  “John’s experience and level of understanding of public finance and our organization made him a clear top choice.”

Blattel’s experience also includes more than 30 years with the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration fromSoutheastMissouriStateUniversityand is both a certified public accountant and a certified fraud examiner.

Blattel will be paid $115,000 annually, have a car allowance and receive the standard employee benefit package from city funds.

The Finance Department oversees several functions: budgeting; accounts payable; business licensing; payroll; accounting; purchasing; risk management; treasury management; and utility billing.

“I’m confident that John will provide effective leadership and excellent customer service,” Watkins said.