Fort Smith auditor interviews set, candidates identified

The Fort Smith Board of Directors is set Tuesday (July 15) to interview two candidates – James Carter and Jason Mitchell – for the long-vacant internal auditor position. The board on July 8 interviewed Amanda Strange for the job.

The director of internal audit is only one of two top city jobs directly hired by the board, with the other being the city administrator. The board in April was forced to reverse its decision to hire Rebecca Cowan as internal auditor when it was discovered she faced felony charges. The salary set for Cowan was $110,000.

The position has been vacant since April 1, 2024, when Tracey Shockley resigned after nine years with the city.

Miles Crawford, regional development manager with DPI Staffing, the agency helping Fort Smith Director Lee Kemp with the auditor candidate search, said in a June 17 email to Kemp that Strange was his “top choice” for the job.

“Amanda has a good understanding of the situation surrounding the Internal Auditor role and is genuinely interested in stepping in to help bring some stability and forward momentum. She even went as far as saying she felt this opportunity was ‘a calling,’” Crawford noted in the document obtained by Talk Business & Politics through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Crawford also said in the note to Kemp that Carter is a “solid candidate.”

“He brings a wide range of experience in auditing, including work with DHS and time in the military. He’s thoughtful, sharp, and would approach the role with discipline and professionalism. While he doesn’t currently hold a CPA or CIA, he’s very open to pursuing those certifications,” Crawford wrote.

Crawford did not have a note on Mitchell. Mitchell, who lives in Greenwood, worked for then Van Buren-based USA Truck as a senior internal auditor from April 2013 to April 2019, and worked in internal controls/tax accounting for OK Foods between September 2020 and April 2022. His work experience also includes accounting controller for Nationwide Property Management, and internal audit manager for My HR Professionals in Van Buren.

NAME DISCLOSURE
The Fort Smith board initially declined to identify the candidate being interviewed at the July 8 meeting, with city attorney Jerry Canfield saying the board has “no obligation” to identify candidates.

Public bodies such as school districts, city governments, and other local governing bodies typically provide names of candidates to top positions.

Following the July 8 executive session to interview the candidate, the board announced that Strange was the interview subject. Prior to the executive session, Kemp declined to identify the candidate, saying the person “had a job.” However, the June 17 memo from Crawford to Kemp noted that Strange had left her employer.

“Her last day there is actually this Friday, so the timing works out well for her to take on a new opportunity,” Crawford noted.

Kemp told Talk Business & Politics he was told she had left the job for a sabbatical. Crawford, who said there may have been confusion about Strange’s employment situation, confirmed with Talk Business & Politics on July 12 that Strange is not on a sabbatical and is no longer employed.

“Amanda is currently on sabbatical, and my understanding and reference were intended to convey that she remains connected and in good standing with Forvis,” Kemp said when asked about the June 17 memo indicating Strange was no longer employed. “This past Tuesday was my first opportunity, along with other directors, to meet and speak with Amanda. These interviews are very preliminary at this stage and are not meant to identify the final candidate.”

However, Kemp did provide the names of Carter and Mitchell when asked who was being interviewed on July 15.

Director Christina Catasavis said there is a balance between public disclosure and not discouraging applications.

“I absolutely believe in transparency, especially when it comes to hiring leadership positions that will impact our city,” she said. “But I also understand there’s a balance we can strike without undermining the process. If we release the names of every applicant, we risk discouraging qualified people from applying – especially those who are currently employed and don’t want to jeopardize their existing jobs. That said, once someone becomes a finalist, I believe the public does have a right to know who’s being seriously considered. At that stage, transparency builds trust, the erosion of public trust is something I worry very much about.”