The man selected to be the new administrator of Surfside Beach brings with him a decade of experience as a former administrator in Lexington and a long career as a federal parole supervisor.
Town officials on Wednesday night released information about Jim Duckett as well as the other candidates who had been considered.
The town's interim administrator, Micki Fellner, confirmed Wednesday that Duckett retired in April from his job as Lexington administrator and is currently working as the interim administrator for the town of Williston.
The information was provided to The Sun News after two, separate requests for information filed under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act. The most recent filing was Tuesday.
Surfside Mayor Allen Deaton said the town didn't release the specifics on the job finalists Tuesday because it was not prepared to do so, having only documents with sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, at the meeting where Duckett was chosen.
"All [Fellner] had was original copies of resumes," Deaton said.
The town released more details about three of the four final candidates - Duckett, Robert Anderson and Walter Munchheimer - Wednesday night. The fourth candidate did not want to be named, afraid it would jeopardize his current employment, Deaton said.
If Duckett, 61, accepts the town's offer, he will bring more than 10 years of local government administration experience.
Duckett, in an interview with The Sun News on Wednesday, said he retired as a federal parole supervisor in 2000 and soon after began working as the assistant town administrator for Lexington.
After five years in that role he became the administrator.
"I had a good opportunity to learn the business there," Duckett said.
He also was able to build a succession plan, he said. He stepped down in May 2010 to allow his successor to step up.
He then went to work for the Town of Williston, in Barnwell County, as its interim administrator around June.
Duckett said he plans to accept the offer from Surfside Beach, barring any contract negotiation issues. Duckett was making $115,000 a year when he left Lexington. His application says the least he'll accept in Surfside Beach is $75,000.
He said he is prepared to finish his duties in Williston by Dec. 6 and come to work for Surfside Beach as soon as practicable after that.
A Charleston native, Duckett said he is glad to be coming back to the beach and said he plans to stay in Surfside for a while.
"I'm thinking in terms of a three-year commitment," Duckett said, noting that details of his contract still have to be worked out.
Deaton said Duckett was chosen because "he seemed to be a good fit ... with his philosophy and his demeanor."
He also said Duckett's previous experience with budgets will come in handy.
Duckett said he is hoping to be able to build trust with the council and town staff.
"I think it will certainly be interesting in Surfside," he said.
Robert Anderson, one of the other finalists for the administrator job, recently accepted a position as the City Administrator of East Jordan, Mich., Fellner confirmed Wednesday. He previously had served as the city administrator in Marion and has family ties to Surfside Beach.
Walter Munchheimer, the other named finalist, worked previously as a finance director for Palm Beach County, Fla., according to information provided by Fellner and council members.
The former Surfside administrator, Ed Booth, resigned in May.
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