Town Treasurer Wendy Picinich announced her retirement after 30 years with the Town of Friday Harbor, effective June 15.<br /><br />Picinich holds the elected position of town treasurer and is also employed by the town as finance officer. She will resign her elected position upon her retirement date.<br /><br />Picinich began employment with Friday Harbor Jan. 1, 1984. She is responsible for operations of the town finance department and she instituted many financial policies representative of the town’s fiscally conservative reputation. The town has received clean audits for many years under her supervision.<br /><br />Picinich volunteered her time with the Washington Municipal Treasurers Association, serving on the board of that organization for many years. She was elected to multiple terms as the town treasurer, a position responsible for the care and investment of the town financial assets. Picinich’s current term expires Dec. 31, 2015. State law provides that the town council must appoint a successor treasurer, who will hold office until certification of the November 2015 general election.<br /><br />Town officials have started a search for a replacement, a task expected to take several months. Assistant Finance Officer Kelle Wilson will be named as interim finance officer on the effective date of Picinich’s retirement. Wilson is expected to be a candidate to fill both the finance officer and treasurer positions.<br /><br />“This loss will have a tremendous impact on our community” Mayor Carrie Lacher said. “Wendy has been an absolute rock and is responsible for the excellent financial condition of the town. We have come to depend upon her vast knowledge of town operations, her invaluable advice and her absolute integrity.”<br /><br />Town Administrator Duncan Wilson added, “Wendy knew her job so well that it allowed the rest of us to focus elsewhere. I came to rely upon her wise management of the Town’s resources. She will be sorely missed.”<br /><br />The town will post the opening during the week of May 5 and will close applications on June 3. Interested candidates should submit an employment application, resume and cover letter.