Gov. Nixon appoints Bill Compere to be Greene County treasurer

February 03, 2011|by KY3 News

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon appointed a certified public accountant to be the new treasurer for Greene County. Bill Compere replaces John Hoffman, who resigned in December.

Compere, a Democrat, has more than 45 years of professional accounting experience in the Springfield area. That experience included more than three decades as a partner of an accounting firm, and the handling of numerous audits of government agencies.

Compere also serves as a member of the City Utilities of Springfield Citizens Advisory Council and on the Good Community Committee. He has been active in volunteer leadership positions with the United Way, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Rotary Club, Greene County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Springfield Jaycees, the Urban Districts Alliance, Scenic Missouri, Springfield's Vision 20/20 Committee, and several other civic and charitable organizations.

“Bill Compere has an impeccable background in accounting and an outstanding record of service to the community,” Nixon said in a news release.

Compere ran unsuccessfully for the Greene County Commission in 2004.

Hoffman resigned suddenly in December on the day that a grand jury indicted one of his former employees on a charge of stealing from his office. Lisa Burns is charged with stealing more than $25,000. Investigators say Hoffman had no knowledge of the thefts until late January 2010, when he fired Burns and notified investigators. Hoffman was treasurer for nearly 18 years and had just over two years left on his present term.

The County Commission appointed Justin Hill as the interim treasurer. Hill has worked in the county auditor's office for nine years.

The Greene County Republican Party's Central Committee suggested Hill be appointed permanently to the job. The Greene County Democratic Party's Central Committee sent three suggested appointees to the governor: Dave Coonrod, Jim Lee and Greg Weaver. Coonrod is a longtime presiding county commissioner who lost his bid for re-election in November. Lee owns a small business and used to be an educator. Weaver is an attorney. Nixon was not obligated to choose any of the parties' suggestions.

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