County seeks candidates for interim administrator role

The Cook County Board of Commissioners will consider who to appoint as interim administrator at their next regular business meeting, on March 25. They hope to fill the role quickly as they also conduct a second round of recruitment for a permanent county administrator.

After completing a recruitment and interview process, the board opted not to hire either of the finalists they interviewed earlier this month. Instead, they are hoping that reposting the job will yield candidates who may be a better fit for the county.

In the meantime, they are also seeking a new interim administrator. Rowan Watkins has been in that role since October when he agreed to step in after former Administrator James Joerke took a leave of absence upon the death of his wife.

Initially, Watkins committed to roughly 12 weeks, which would have covered the leave time that Joerke was entitled to through the Family and Medical Leave Act. When Joerke officially resigned shortly after taking leave, Watkins stayed in the position as the county sought a permanent replacement.

When the board voted on March 13 not to offer the administrator position to either finalist candidate, Watkins let the board know that he would be stepping down from the interim role in order to return to his own permanent role as Management Information Systems (MIS) director for the county. The commissioners decided at that time to request assistance finding a new interim administrator from both DDA, the human resources firm that the county has been working with, and from the League of Minnesota Cities, which can assist cities and counties with filling interim roles.

The board held a brief special meeting on March 18 after the Committee of the Whole meeting, during which they discussed the options that had arisen so far. Several potential candidates have been identified between DDA’s inquiries and the county commissioners speaking to community members. Specific candidates will be discussed at the board’s March 25 meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Cook County Courthouse.

While there is not an application available through the county, the commissioners voted to accept cover letters and resumes from parties interested in filling the role. Potential candidates can submit their materials to Board Chair Ginny Storlie, Interim Administrator Rowan Watkins, or Pat Melvin of DDA. Storlie also encouraged any local candidates to attend the next board meeting in-person.

Kirsten Wisniewski March 19, 2025