Kitty Crow is pictured with County Executive Vince Horrigan.

MAYVILLE — County Executive Vince Horrigan is staying in house and promoting Kitty Crow, budget director, as the next leader of the Finance Department.

On Friday, Horrigan announced that Crow would be taking over as the new director of finance for Chautauqua County. Subject to the County Legislature’s approval, Crow will begin her new position Feb. 1. Crow will replace Susan Marsh, current director, who’s retiring on Jan. 31.

Crow began serving as budget director and health insurance administrator in April 2012. She also served as interim director of finance from January 2012 to April 2012, and budget director from July 2006 to January 2012.

As budget director and health insurance administrator, Crow oversaw the development and enactment of 11 county budgets, administered the county’s health insurance plans for active employees and retirees. She also created and presented budget-related analysis to county officials.

Crow’s been the financial lead on the county’s management team for negotiating union contracts with the five recognized labor organizations in county government. She also serves as chair of the Wellness and Health Insurance Review Committee, a member of the Chautauqua County Labor Relations Council and is a past chair of the Employee Recognition Committee.

Horrigan said he’s excited to promote Crow to the position and is looking forward to working with her in the new role.

“Kitty has over 24 years of financial management experience in the private and public sectors. Over the past 10 years of working as budget director, her leadership, dedication, and financial expertise have been great assets to Chautauqua County,” Horrigan said. I also acknowledge the incredible work of our retiring finance director. During her tenure, Susan has strengthened our financial position and seen us successfully navigate challenging economic times. I wish her all the best in retirement.”

The selection of Crow as the new finance director was made through a bipartisan search committee that included county legislators Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point, and Charles Nazzaro, D-Jamestown; Marsh; certified public accountants Rick Johnson and Kristy Zabrodsky; and David Smeltzer, chief executive officer of Heritage Ministries.

Crow is a 1988 graduate of Syracuse University and holds a bachelor’s of science degree in operations management. She’s a current resident of Fredonia.

“I am very honored and grateful to be appointed as the next finance director for Chautauqua County,” said Crow. “I’d like to thank Marsh for her leadership over the past five years. She has helped to develop the great team we have working in the Finance Department today. I have enjoyed my tenure as budget director and look forward to the challenges ahead.”