FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Ellsworth welcomes Chris Nemeth as new Chief Financial Officer
ELLSWORTH, Maine — The City of Ellsworth is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Nemeth as the City’s new Chief Financial Officer.
Chris brings a unique combination of municipal government, financial management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership experience to the role. Most recently, he has served as Treasurer for the Town of Surry, where he led financial operations, budgeting, reporting, audit support, capital planning, grant administration, and operational improvements. Prior to his municipal service, Chris spent decades in leadership roles with nationally recognized consulting firms including Grant Thornton, Crowe Horwath, The Keystone Group, and HarborHouse Partners, where his work included financial turnarounds, organizational restructuring, and strategic advisory services for large private-sector companies.
As Chief Financial Officer, he will oversee the City’s financial operations, budgeting, long-term financial planning, reporting, and stewardship of public resources. He will play an important role in strengthening financial processes, promoting transparency, and communicating complex financial information in a way that builds understanding and trust among staff, City Council, and the public.
The City conducted a thorough and highly competitive recruitment process to identify the right candidate for this critical leadership position. The process was deliberate and thoughtful, reflecting the importance of the Chief Financial Officer role to the City’s operations, long-term planning, and public trust. In total, the City received 64 applications, including five additional applications submitted through a LinkedIn posting by City Manager Charlie Pearce. Of those applicants, 9 candidates were selected for interviews, and three candidates advanced to the final round.
“We are excited to welcome Chris to Team Ellsworth,” said City Manager Charlie Pearce. “This was an extremely competitive process, and we wanted to take the time necessary to find the right person for such a critical role. Chris stood out not only because of his direct experience at the local municipal level and his love for this region, but also because of the broader financial leadership he has provided throughout his career, including complex financial turnarounds for large private companies.”
Pearce said Chris’s understanding of finance extends well beyond technical expertise.
“What really stood out was Chris’s in-depth understanding of debt structuring, financial systems, and the human side of numbers,” Pearce said. “He understands that finance is not just about spreadsheets or reports. It is about building the foundation that allows every part of an organization to succeed. Chris does not just have the right experience for this role; he has a vision for the department and a genuine passion for public service and helping Ellsworth succeed during a period of significant growth.”
Ellsworth continues to experience significant growth, bringing both opportunity and new demands on City operations, infrastructure, and long-term planning. In recent years, the City’s finance team has worked to modernize systems, improve transparency, and support clear public budgeting processes. As the City moves forward, a central priority for the Finance Department will be finalizing fiscal reconciliation across all accounts, strengthening internal structures across the organization, improving the timeliness of financial reporting, and completing all audit findings.
“Our goal is to build a best-in-class Finance Department that can be a model for communities across Maine,” Pearce said. “That means strong systems, timely reporting, transparent budgets, and a team culture that supports the entire organization. Chris is the right leader to help move that work forward.”
He is expected to begin his new role on July 31, 2026.
“I am honored to join the City of Ellsworth and look forward to working alongside staff, City Council, and community partners,” said Chris. “Ellsworth is a community with tremendous momentum, and I am excited to contribute to its future.”
The departure of the previous CFO came during one of the busiest times of the year for municipal finance, as staff worked through budget development and preparations for the start of a new fiscal year. Throughout that transition, Deputy Finance Director Ashlie Brown stepped into an expanded leadership role, helping ensure continuity and stability for the organization. Deputy Treasurers Debra Worden and Lea Cagulada-Pierce were also instrumental in ensuring stability, maintaining momentum, and supporting the City’s financial operations while we conducted a thoughtful search for the right long-term leader.
“The Finance Department has a tremendous team, and everyone has stepped up during this transition,” said Brown. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have helped lead the department over the past few months, and I’m looking forward to welcoming Chris to Ellsworth and supporting him as he gets settled into his new role.”
The Chief Financial Officer plays a critical role in supporting sound financial stewardship, organizational excellence, and long-term planning for the community.
Click the title of our Medium article to read even more about Chris: A Strategic Thinker, A Municipal Leader, and a Violinist: Meet Ellsworth, Maine’s new Chief Financial Officer
For more information, visit www.ellsworthmaine.gov.
