Ringgold appoints Jama House new finance director
The city of Ringgold appointed Jama House as successor to long-time finance director Will Baerg, who is retiring at the end of this month.
During the City Council meeting on Jan. 28, the board unanimously ratified City Manager Dan Wright’s appointment of House to the position.
House, a CPA, began working with the city last fall and worked closely with Baerg during the last few weeks of his tenure.
“We hired Jama House back in September of 2018,” Wright said. “She has worked along side Will Baerg, who’s been with us a little over 12 years now. When I started asking Will about her after she had been here a few weeks, he gave me the thumbs up. He was very satisfied with her work.”
A couple of years ago, House ran for Catoosa County tax commissioner, but was defeated by Gary Autry. She’s active in the community, and her husband, Brian, is a Superior Court judge for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit.
Before the board voted to ratify the hire, Wright raved about how much of an asset House will be to the city as an employee and a person.
“Jama has demonstrated a very high level of professionalism and she is extremely enjoyable to work with,” Wright said. “That’s not just myself, all the other directors and employees that have come in contact with her see that she’s here to serve and help people, which is very obvious by the way she conducts herself. It’s very refreshing.”
House earned her bachelor’s degree from Carson-newman University, and will take over the position immediately even though Baerg will still be with the city through February.
“She’s done the job since mid December probably,” Wright said. “She’s been a great addition to our finance team here. I would very much appreciate the City Council ratifying my appointment of Jama House as the next city of Ringgold finance director.”
After the unanimous vote, House thanked the council for the opportunity, and Mayor Pro Tem Terry Crawford shared his excitement to have her on board.
“Congratulations, Jama. We’re tickled to death to have you down here,” Crawford said.
Alicia Vaughn was confirmed by the Catoosa County Commission as the new county manager on Sept. 4.
We asked Ms. Vaughn, just as she was about to take office officially in late September, to share some things, serious and lighthearted, about herself so residents can get to know the person who is be running their county on a day-to-day basis. Here’s Ms. Vaughn in her own words.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Whitfield County, in the small community of Rocky Face, but I live on the north side of Tunnel Hill now, so just a stone’s throw away from Catoosa.
Education: I received my high school degree from Northwest Whitfield High School and a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Georgia. I am also a certified public finance accountant through the Carl Vinson Institute.
Job History: I started my career in banking, ending as Assistant Vice President of First Bank of Dalton. I then owned my own successful catering company for ten years. I returned to accounting as Deputy Finance Director of the city of Dalton for six years. For the last six years I have been the Chief Financial Officer of Whitfield County.
Family: I have two wonderful daughters. Gracen attends UGA and Gillian is a sophomore at Northwest High School. I married my childhood sweetheart 25 years ago. My husband, Gandi Vaughn, is a trial attorney in Dalton.
Pets: I love my five horses, three dogs and two miniature donkeys, Wilbur and Buttercup (Buttercup thinks she is a dog).
Hobbies: Hanging out with my horses, reading and exercising.
Favorite book: “The Missing Piece Meets the Big O” by Shel Silverstein
Favorite Movie: “Baby Boom”
Favorite Food: Waffles with pecans
Sports fan? GO DAWGS! Favorite person from history and why: Abraham Lincoln because he kept our country together during a very difficult period in our history.
Favorite quote: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
Someone who has had a deep influence on your life and how: Mike Babb, former Chairman of the Whitfield County Commission. I worked with him when I was finance director and he taught me about leadership. One of his favorite quotes was from Justice Robert Benham of the Georgia Supreme Court –that when you are looking for quality traits for persons in leadership, that per- son should be open-minded, level-headed, even-handed, sure-footed and grounded in values. Mike taught me to remember every citizen is important and should be treated with respect.
Interesting anecdote from your childhood: I loved to fish with my grandfather after school each day in our backyard pond with an old rod and a loaf of Sunbeam bread we used as bait.
An event in your life that has helped define the kind of person you are: My grandfather lived with us for many years when I was growing up. I learned from that experience to love your family, to be kind and respectful to your friends and neighbors and to always help those less fortunate.
Something people may not know about you: I love kickboxing.
Finally, we asked Ms. Vaughn to comment on her new position.