Eddy County seeks new manager as Allen Davis retires after three years

Eddy County Manager Allen Davis announced his retirement effective March 30 after being on the job for more than three years.

Adrienne Jones, executive administrative assistant for Eddy County, said the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners was informed of Davis' decision Feb. 21 during a closed-door meeting.

A list of potential replacements for Davis was not released by Eddy County as of Tuesday afternoon.

More:Eddy County names three finalists for manager's job

Jones said county commissioners would select the new manager although no timeline was given for the search and hiring process.

Davis was named county manager on Sept. 3, 2019, after he entered contract negotiations with county commissioners in August 2019 replacing Rick Rudometkin who left in April 2019 after being named city manager of Sammamish, Washington.

Davis had previously been employed as the operations superintendent for Chevron’s Delaware Basin operations.

Eddy County Community Services Director Wesley Hooper and Finance Director Roberta Gonzales served as co-county managers for nearly six months after Rudometkin left and before Davis was hired.

More:Davis named new Eddy County manager

Comments sought by the Carlsbad Current-Argus from Davis were not returned as of Tuesday.

“We’ve accomplished some great things with the direction and support of the commission,” Davis said during the Feb. 21 meeting. “Eddy County has a lot of positive things going on and we have a lot of opportunity."

District 5 Commissioner Sarah Cordova said Davis showed a commitment to Eddy County, especially in the sector of public safety.

District 2 Commissioner Jon Henry said Davis’ leadership should serve as a role model for other government entities across the state.

“I just appreciate how the government is run. I think you helped us lead. If anyone in the state wants to know how government should run they should look here to a leader like you who is transparent,” he said.

Henry said Davis kept commissioners informed when potential issues could have impacted Eddy County government operations.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.