A Phoenix man with deep roots in Kingman and northwest Arizona is a contender for the position of Mohave County Manager. Sam Elters is one of four applicants for the job being interviewed by a screening panel.
Elters was a Mohave County public works employee long ago when was hired by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Elters served as Area, Kingman District and State Engineer for ADOT before he transitioned into the private sector.
Elters and three other men were scheduled for interviews scheduled Wednesday afternoon by Presiding Superior Court Judge Chuck Gurtler, County Attorney Matt Smith, Sheriff Doug Schuster and retired Kingman Unified School District Superintendent Roger Jacks. The other interview contenders include David Williams of Prescott Valley, Scott Albert of Richardson, Texas and Paul Van Haught of Eatonton, Georgia.
Human Resources Director Ken Cunningham said the panel will make some recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. Possibilities include, he said, recommending that the Board interview one or more of the four or that none of the four be hired.
Cunningham said the Board is not at all restricted by the panel’s recommendations. He said the board can approve the recommendation or interview others from inside or outside the applicant pool.
At least 46 people applied for the position. County Manager Mike Hendrix is retiring at the end of June.
Elters would fit a pattern or history of Mohave County promoting managers from within, particularly from the Public Works Department. Former County Parks Director was serving as Mohave County Manager in the 1980’s. Former Public Works Directors Dave Grisez and Dick Skalicky also spent time in the county manager’s chair. Hendrix also rose through the ranks of Public Works to become Manager.
- Dave Hawkins
