Methodist’s Chris McLean named chief financial officer for Shelby Co.
Chris McLean, chief administrative officer of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, has been named Shelby County’s chief financial officer.
McLean will continue working at Methodist through the end of the year and start with Shelby County in January, according to a news release. He will replace Wanda Richards, who is retiring after 12 years with Shelby County Government. She will continue in an interim capacity until McLean starts the job.
“As we invest in our children and workforce, the CFO will be critically important to ensuring that Shelby County Government is fiscally strong and in a position to make a maximum impact on lives,” said Mayor Lee Harris in the release. “Chris McLean’s 30 years of experience as finance professional and administrator at Methodist make him the perfect person for this role.”
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is a not-for-profit multi-hospital system with operating revenues of $2 billion. Prior to his current role, McLean was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Methodist from 2001-2017.
“I have always had a heart for public service and consider this a great opportunity to join an administration that is laser-focused on positively impacting the lives of its constituents,” McLean said in the release. “This is a great opportunity for me to serve residents across our County, and I’m happy to be a part of this New Era.”
Paul Morris, co-chair of Harris’ transition team, said he was impressed by how many current and former leaders at Methodist spoke highly of McLean.
“30 years of experience not only as a financial professional but part of the executive leadership team of one of the most successful and largest nonprofits in our community is a huge gift for the county,” Morris said. “Not only is he super talented financial executive, but his heart is always in the right place and he cares so much about the community.”
Leadership from Methodist commended McLean’s selection in the news release, saying they will miss his impact but believe he will make an excellent member of Harris’ staff.
McLean is the 4th major appointment Harris has made. He has named Patrice Williamson-Thomas as chief administrative officer, named Marlinee Clark Iverson as county attorney and reappointed Dr. Alisa Haushalter as director of the health department.
“If you look at the mayor, county attorney, the chief administrative officer and now the chief financial officer, their skills, abilities and experiences are so complementary of one another,” Morris said.”You’ve got diversity in term of backgrounds, age, race, gender, experience, and that forms a really powerful combination to move the county forward.”