Commissioners hire new JFS director

Van Wert independent

The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners approved the hiring of candidates for two county positions on Thursday.

The commissioners chose Mary Beth Holtsberry to head the Van Wert County Department of Job and Family Services, replacing current Director Jim Beard.

Holtsberry, a deputy director who heads the employment and assistance sections of the department, will start her new job on Monday, July 25. That’s three days before Beard’s effective retirement date of July 28.

Commissioner Gary Adams said Holtsberry was chosen over two other candidates, Financial Manager Marsha Drake and Deputy Director Sandy Honigford. He said the decision to hire Holtsberry was made because the commissioners felt she was the best overall candidate, adding that Honigford had not dealt with all that many people in her job as Children’s Services head, while Drake’s expertise mostly was in handling fiscal matters for the department.

Health concerns forced Beard to retire just three months into a retire-rehire agreement approved by the commissioners back in March. That agreement was projected to save the department nearly $60,000 over 21 months.

Also Thursday, the commissioners approved the hiring of Barry Johns as the new county veterans services officer. Johns will replace Keith Harmon, who has been in that position for two decades. No date was given for when Johns, who was chosen over several other candidates, will begin his new duties.