Petree Powell assumed the duties of Wentzville’s top financial position as Interim Director of Finance on Thursday, Jan. 10. 

Powell, who also is known as Petree Eastman, served as Crestwood's city administrator for a few months from 2011-2012. She left the position in March 2012.

(The Crestwood Board of Aldermen recently chose Powell's full-time successor to the city administrator position, Mark Sime. Read more about Sime.)

The Wentzville position became vacant at the end of 2012 when that city's Director of Finance Dennis Walsh officially retired. Walsh had worked for the city since June of 1988.

Wentzville brought Powell on board as Interim Director of Finance through a contract with Interim Public Management, LLC (IPM). Powell’s training includes a law degree from St. Louis University, a Masters of City and Regional Planning from the University of California-Berkely, and B.A. in Business Management and Media/Public Communications from Webster University.

Over the course of her career, Powell has worked with the St. Louis legal firm Armstrong, Teasdale, Schlafly & Davis, and served as the first female City Administrator for the City of Crestwood. She also was recognized with an Outstanding Assistant City Manager award from the Missouri City Managers Association for 2009-2010 for her work at the City of University City. 

In August of 2012, Wentzville contracted with IPM to provide the city its current Interim City Administrator George Kolb. Just as with Kolb, Powell will be considered a consultant for Wentzville through IPM, and all remuneration for her services will flow through IPM.

Under its agreement, the city will pay IPM $2,850 per week for Powell’s services, plus pay her business-related expenses. The city’s agreement with IPM also includes a “Transitional Period” of up to 45 days once a permanent replacement for the Finance Director position is found.

See our previous coverage:

• Former U City Assistant City Manager Appointed New Crestwood City Administrator
• Crestwood City Administrator No Longer Employed by City
• Fired or Resigned? City Administrator's Ouster Remains a Mystery
• Eastman, Crestwood Board of Aldermen Agree on Separation Terms
• Crestwood Finds a New City Administrator