Longtime AOA office administrator steps down

The local Agency on Aging lost its director two weeks ago; now its office administrator has resigned.

Wes Hulla, the longtime office administrator at the Agency on Aging, has resigned his position, effective March 19, citing differences in management style, its effect on workplace culture and accountability.

Hulla, a key figure in the day-to-day operations of the agency for more than 23 years, announced his departure in the wake of the county commissioners recent decision to not renew agency director Jim Atkinson’s contract after 19 years of service.

Speaking Thursday at the agency’s advisory council meeting, he said his resignation was entirely voluntary.

“It was made without knowledge of future consolidation plans and was done prior to the announcement of Mark Campbell as acting director of aging services,” Hulla said in a prepared statement.

He said the commissioners were aware of the differences in management styles and that they “seem comfortable with the current style.” Hulla said that left him with the options of resigning or continuing to work within this culture.

According to Hulla, the current culture ignores the core values of the county’s mission statement, which includes accountability of taxpayer resources, responsive communication, proactive and innovative leadership, a team culture that values all people and equal treatment of all.

“It is with a great deal of regret and sadness that I am giving up my career of 23 and a half years as the office administrator for aging services and the most fantastic and dedicated staff one could possibly hope to have,” Hulla said.

He said the staff, advisory board and members of the aging community were shut out of the reorganization plan for the agency, so it was developed in a vacuum and lacks transparency.

“I feel our staff should be playing the leadership role in this plan’s development,” he said. “The plan that is in place now clearly does not meet even the most fundamental muster since the law requires us to have a full-time director.”

County Commissioner Dale Lauman and Campbell also attended the advisory council meeting to reassure the aging council of a smooth transition following Atkinson’s ouster and Hulla’s pending departure.

“We will move forward,” Lauman said. “It won’t be as easy to do as it was, but the organization will thrive.”

 Both Lauman and Campbell said they “twisted” Hulla’s arm to try to change his mind. Campbell said he accepted the interim position offered by County Administrator Mike Pence with the understanding “that Wes was there.”

He said Hulla’s departure would make things difficult, but he wished him the best.

Lauman acknowledged receiving many emails expressing concern over the commissioners’ decision not to renew Atkinson’s contract. He said Atkinson has asked for a closed meeting with the commissioners to review that decision.

Lauman said he agreed with what Atkinson said in a Daily Inter Lake interview about his departure being based on management style differences. Lauman assured the advisory council it had nothing to do with any illegal activities or financial irregularities and noted he’s heard no complaints about the agency during his time as a commissioner.

When asked why Atkinson was dismissed, Lauman said he would not discuss any particulars, citing Atkinson’s privacy.

Campbell told the advisory council he expects to serve as interim Agency on Aging director for about six months to keep things going and do a needs assessment.

Lauman said he doesn’t expect any “wholesale changes” but rather some modifications. He said the director’s job description may be modified and that the proposed changes would come before the council for comment.

The commissioner said no service cuts are anticipated, but services will be evaluated to gauge efficiency.

Campbell said he was depending on Hulla to prepare the fiscal year 2013 budget. Hulla did not directly address the budget issue when he said he gave two weeks’ notice with his final day set for March 19.

“This was a very difficult decision to make,” Hulla said. “We are a symptom of a [bigger] problem.”

After the meeting, Hulla made clear he was dissatisfied with the advice Pence provides to county commissioners and his administration of the county.

Hulla alleged that Pence manages by intimidation. He said he’s watched the evaluation of other departments and called it not healthy.

“If it ain’t broke, fix it until it is,” he said. “Financially, we’re in great shape.”

He said that he has voiced his concerns to Pence because he has contacted him with problems or suggestions before.

“He made it plain to me that he doesn’t want to be bothered,” Hulla said.

Contacted Friday, Pence disagreed with Hulla’s comments and was surprised the office administrator held that opinion.

He was disappointed that Hulla had not called him to discuss the concerns he outlined, adding that the phone line runs in both directions.

“I’m sorry he made this decision,” Pence said. “I think he has done a good job.”

Pence said he agreed with Hulla, that the Agency on Aging is in good financial shape and he doesn’t anticipate any changes in that area. He said no reorganization plan has been created so he couldn’t respond to comments about staff exclusion from the process.

“We’re just doing a review like we do in other departments,” Pence said.