Greensburg fiscal director, treasurer resigns

Greensburg is saying goodbye to the woman who has handled its finances for the past 14 years.

Mary Perez, fiscal director and city treasurer, turned in her resignation this week after accepting a job as finance director for Penn Township.

“I have loved my time at Greensburg. I have worked with many wonderful people over the years and learned a lot,” Perez said. “There's never a day that is the same.”

She said she wasn't actively looking for a new job, but as she repeatedly saw ads for the opening in Penn Township, she thought it might be a sign.

“I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason,' she said.

Perez earns $72,100 a year with Greensburg, and will make $72,000 with Penn Township.

She said she hopes the new job will allow her to spend more time with her family.

“I feel that it probably won't be quite at the same pace as I'm at here,” she said.

Supervising Greensburg's finances is a constant challenge, she said, adding often went into the office on weekends to do paperwork.

She handled health insurance for city employees, the expenses and revenues for Greensburg's large parking operation, and most of the city's purchases.

Perez's resignation came as a surprise, and the search for her replacement will begin immediately, according to City Administrator Sue Trout.

“Mary is going to be very difficult to replace; she's just done an outstanding job here,” Trout said.

Trout handpicked Perez as her own replacement 14 years ago.

Penn Township manager Alex Graziani said Perez was the only candidate with the qualifications to replace retiring finance director Linda Iams.

“What we have in Mary is a seasoned professional who has high integrity, extremely hardworking, and a dedicated professional, and how do you replace that? It's not easy to do,” he said.

He praised Perez's experience and “can-do attitude.”

“It's a really big win for the township,” he said.

Feb. 26 will be Perez's last day in Greensburg.

Staff from Greensburg's administrative and fiscal offices will work together to handle her work during the search for her replacement.

The city also is searching for a police chief following the sudden resignation of Walter J. “Wally” Lyons last month.

“It's pretty tough being down two key employees,” Trout said. “I'm hoping we can find a candidate as strong as Mary.”

Jacob Tierney is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-6646 or jtierney@tribweb.com.