Chris Phillips
Note: This story was updated at 10:52 p.m. Jan. 6.
Chris Phillips announced Wednesday that he is resigning as director of accounts and budgets for Anderson County. Phillips notified Anderson County commissioners of his resignation in a Wednesday morning email.
The email doesn’t give a reason for the resignation or say whether Phillips has accepted another job, and he wasn’t immediately available for comment early Wednesday afternoon.
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank was also not immediately available for comment. Update: Both Phillips and Frank have responded to a request for comment, and Oak Ridge Today will post an updated story as soon as possible.
“It has been an honor to serve each of you,” Phillips wrote to commissioners. “While I have been blessed with a tremendous opportunity, this decision comes with some heartache as I dearly love and respect the people I work with and for on a daily basis. Everyone in this courthouse has shown me kindness and has respected this position. I want to particularly thank the folks here in the budget office and in the school finance office. They have supported me, through many ups and downs, and have performed impeccable work for the citizens of Anderson County, you as commissioners, and me personally.
“I want to particularly thank Deputy Director Connie Aytes for her incredible talents and dedication to her craft. She is not only a top-shelf accountant but an even better human being. I also want to thank Mayor Frank for being an outstanding leader, mentor, boss, and friend. I have seen kindness and compassion for people in her that no one will ever know about. Having to say my final good bye to her, my staff, and to Pamela and her crew will be very difficult.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank each of you for working with me over the years. I have always tried, sometimes not so successfully, to stay above politics and just been your source of financial information so that you could make informed decisions. I wish Anderson County government a productive and cohesive journey in 2016; may hearts and lives be changed for the better.”
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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