Montgomery County has department head vacancy after CFO resigns

Montgomery County is in search of a new finance officer after Dean Dortone stepped down from the role.

Dortone, who served as one of the county’s top department heads for nearly a decade, resigned from his position last month to take a job as chief operating officer of Tredyffrin Township in Chester County, according to officials.

“We are actively recruiting for a CFO. We have a whole finance team, coupled with our senior leadership team that is working in the interim in Mr. Dortone’s absence,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder said earlier this week.

While Dortone’s departure was finalized during a Montgomery County Salary Board meeting last month, a spokesperson said “this opportunity had been in process for several months.” The trio of county commissioners who serve on the board as well as other executives commended Dortone for his efforts throughout his tenure.

“Over the past decade, Dean has been an invaluable member of our leadership team,” Winder said last month, noting work spent on budgeting and planning priorities for the county.

Winder added the “last couple of years have been difficult for us from a budget perspective” as tax increases have been implemented over the past few years to balance county finances.

“It’s been a growing experience here at the county,” Dortone said.

Montgomery County Chief Operating Officer Lee Soltysiak commended Dortone on procedural improvements going back a decade.

“All the work that has gone into making that process better and better every year,” Soltysiak said, noting Dortone’s steadfast commitment to transparency and “trying to help people understand” complex figures.

“People have a right to know how the money’s being spent, and you never lost that focus,” Soltysiak said.

Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello and Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija agreed, expressing their admiration for the financial leader.

“We definitely will miss you,” DiBello said. “You worked extremely hard. You seriously care about the county, and everything, and took your job extremely seriously.”

“Sorry to lose you to Chester County,” Makhija said.

“I want to wish you well as you embark on your new chapter,” Winder said, adding “I would be remiss if I didn’t say that Dean’s successor will have big shoes to fill.”