Learn about the sole finalist for Augusta procurement director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We’re learning more about the sole finalist for the Augusta-Richmond County procurement director job.

The Augusta Commission on Tuesday narrowed the list to Aaron Penick, who’s currently the purchasing manager for Hall County in metro Atlanta.

He comes from a county with an annual budget of $403.2 million and a population of 210,000. While Augusta-Richmond County has a comparable population, the consolidated city-county government here has a budget nearly four times the size of Hall County’s.

In his application, he says he directs Hall County’s centralized procurement division and all purchasing activities, including sourcing, bidding, negotiating, and contracting for goods, services and equipment.

With 12 years of experience in “key, highly responsible procurement positions,” he’s also worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Department of Revenue, Georgia Department of Public Safety, Department of istration Services, city of Sunnyvale, Calif., and a $1.9 billion multinational manufacturing company, according to his resume.

He lists on his application that $125,000 per year is the minimum compensation he’s seeking and on the form says “Maybe,” when asked whether he’s willing to relocate. “With a relocation package.”

SEE HIS APPLICATION AND RESUME:

The previous procurement director, Geri Sams, was asked to resign on Sept. 24, the same day Tameka Allen was named city . Soon afterward, Darrell White was named interim procurement director.

Voting no Tuesday on the sole finalist were Commissioners Tony Lewis, Francine Scott, Stacy Pulliam and Jordan Johnson. Alvin Mason abstained and all the other commissioners voted yes – including Wayne Guilfoyle, who was out of the room when the vote started but came back in and voted yes.

In other personnel matters Tuesday, the commission:

• Accepted Carla Delaney’s resignation as planning and development director, paying her one month of severance in the form of salary continuation.
• Accepted Samuel Miller’s resignation, paying him one month of severance in the form of salary continuation.
• Authorized the hiring of Todd Kennedy in a senior planning position with the planning department at a salary of $61,431.80.
• Authorized hiring Chiquita Richardson as communications manager at a salary of $75,000.
• Approved a motion to approve the transfer of property located at 25 Gregg St. to the Augusta Land Bank Authority.

Also Tuesday, Augusta Commission member Don Clark announced that with the help of Parks and Recreation Director Tameka Williams, the city staff is working to bring pickleball to the Henry Brigham Center. A local pickleball club, Diamond Dinkers, presented T-shirts to Williams, Lewis and Scott, calling them honorary .

Commissioners sent back to the Planning Commission some items regarding a proposed townhome development. Apparently that was because the developer changed some plans.

At the meeting were about 15 neighbors of the proposed 41.5-acre development on Gibson Road, Winn Drive and Tate Road.

There will be a public meeting for neighbors at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Henry Brigham Center.

Also Tuesday, commissioners approved a request for the first year of a building automation service and mechanical service agreement for $580,670.97 by Trane Co.

Central Services Director Ron Lampkin says the agreement will update “aging equipment.”

Commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting also devoted a moment of silence to two former commissioners, Richard Colclough and Bernard E. Harper, who died last week.

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