Hollie Verran, a certified public accountant with more than 14 years of service to the City of Bristol, Tennessee, has been named Finance Director as part of a comprehensive restructuring process that positions finance operations within the City’s Department of Administration.
Additionally, Terra Lawson has been promoted to Finance and Customer Service Manager, and Christa Graybeal Byrd will join the City later this month as Accounting and Budget Manager.
Verran holds a bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and joined the City in 2007 as Financial Analyst and Financial Services Supervisor. She was promoted to Accounting Manager in 2011. In her new role, she will be responsible for planning, directing and supervising the City’s financial management, including financial planning and reporting, accounting practices, revenue collections, cash management and internal controls.
Lawson, who previously served as Customer Service Manager, is a Certified Municipal Financial Officer (CMFO) and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. She will oversee customer service and financial services related to property taxes, court fines and fees, accounts payable, and health and related funds.
Byrd will oversee the budget process, as well as the City’s general, grant and transportation funds when she begins her job with the City on Oct. 29. She will also oversee the department’s payroll and purchasing functions. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from ETSU. Byrd brings seven years of municipal finance experience into her new role and is currently pursuing CPA certification.
The Finance Department oversees the accounting, budgeting, court, financial reporting, property tax and utility billing functions for the City and is also responsible for the management and security of the City’s financial records and official city records. “The professional management of our finances is one of the most critical functions of the City’s operations,” said City Manager Bill Sorah. “With this leadership team in place, we are incredibly well positioned to continue our long tradition of excellence in financial management and reporting.”
For additional information, please contact Director of Administration Mary Lee Williams at [email protected] or (423) 989-5525.
