Human resource director resigns
Jim Moore, Fayette County’s human resource director since December 2005, is leaving his job and the area this month. Moore, who is employed through Felice Associates of Greensburg and receives a portion of his salary via a personal donation from Commissioner Joseph A. Hardy III, confirmed Tuesday that he gave notice of his resignation. He plans to leave his job around the middle of the month, if not before.
The fact that Moore receives a portion of his salary from one sitting commissioner drew criticism at commissioners’ meetings when some residents said it didn’t seem ethical. County solicitor Joseph E. Ferens Jr. defended the action, disputing an assertion the county circumvented the law, adding that anyone can make a contribution to the county. Ferens further stated that Hardy made a personal donation to the county so the county could retain “the services of a gentleman who was fully prepared to do the job.”
The reasons for the resignation are entirely personal, Moore said.
Moore said he and his wife are relocating to Seattle, Wash., where two of his daughters reside. Moore said he gave the notice of his resignation to John Felice of Felice Associates, who in turn notified the commissioners.
“I guess it’s official but I’m not sure of the date,” Moore said, adding that he is leaving as quickly as possible.
“My wife wants to get out there and I will try to be flexible, but I don’t want it to drag on,” Moore said. He said the decision was “kind of a surprise,” adding that he would not have even thought about it a year ago or even five months ago. “Things move quickly,” he said.
Moore said his oldest daughter has a small child and is expecting a second child in August. “We didn’t want to spend our lives seeing our grandchildren once a year,” Moore said.
Regarding his time in the job, Moore said it has been both “crazy and a lot of fun.”
Felice said he already has someone in mind to replace Moore, a person with “significant credentials,” but declined to give her name until she is brought to the county, possibly later this week.
Felice said Moore’s potential replacement has 20 years of experience in the field, and doesn’t live in the Uniontown area. Without potential local connections, Felice said it should make the new human resource director’s job easier. Once the new director is on board, Felice said he would arrange a date certain with Moore for his departure.
“I’m going to miss him. I enjoyed working with him. He got everything settled in the county and we are now on solid footing,” Felice said. “It should be an easy transition.”
In December 2005, the Fayette County commissioners voted 2-1 to hire Felice Associates for a three year-term to handle the county’s human resource functions.
The action includes hiring a human resource director who will work within the county for Felice, but stipulates that whoever takes the position must be recommended by the commissioners.
Hardy and Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites voted in favor of the motion, with Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink voting against it.
In making the motion, Vicites said nobody has more experience in the field than Felice, which formerly worked for Fayette County for 28 years. He added that of the three proposals, Felice came in at the lowest cost, with annual costs of $96,000, $97,200 and $98,400 for each of the next three years.
Vicites was the only sitting commissioner when the former firm of Select HR was hired and Felice dismissed, and he voted against the action at the time and spoke in favor of retaining Felice. The Felice contract, which went into effect Dec. 1, includes an on-site human resource director and will provide labor negotiation services. Legal hearings are covered under a separate $95 hourly rate in the contract. Moore’s $65,000 annual salary came from both Felice and Hardy’s contribution.
As an addendum to the three-year contract, Hardy agreed to provide $24,000 per year to the county to be used for Moore’s salary for each of the three years, for a total not to exceed $72,000.
The contact stipulates that the “Fayette County commissioners and Hardy shall participate in the selection of any replacement candidate chosen by Felice.”
Jessica Hajek, Hardy’s administrative assistant, said Tuesday that Hardy doesn’t have any plans to change his financial commitment regarding the position, and plans to work with Felice in securing a replacement.
Vicites said he wishes Moore well, adding that Moore did a commendable job. “I wish him the best in his endeavors,” Vicites said.
Vicites said it is his understanding the Felice will determine Moore’s replacement, as is stipulated in the contract. Vicites added the Felice has agreed to work with the commissioners regarding the next director.
Zimmerlink said other than receiving a call from Felice on Monday afternoon informing her of Moore’s departure and also mentioning that Felice would make a suggestion on Moore’s replacement, she hasn’t had any conversations with her fellow commissioners on the matter.