The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners has narrowed to five the candidates seeking to become the next County Administrator. 

 

The Board on Wednesday selected the finalists, who will be interviewed June 25-26. The successful candidate will replace Steve Taylor, who is retiring in June after more than five years as County Administrator.  

 

The finalists are: 

 

Clay Wilfahrt, who is the City Administrator for Big Lake, where he has served for four years. Prior to that, he served as the City Administrator for Winsted for approximately two years and as the Assistant Economic Development Director for Elk River. Mr. Wilfahrt holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Studies.  

 

Kara Terry, who for six years has been employed by Crow Wing County Community Services as the Director and Community Health Administrator. Prior to that, she served as a Program Analysis Supervisor for the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD) for one year. She was also a Champlin City Councilor for three years. Ms. Terry has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and master’s degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration.  

 

Nathan Burkett, who is the Assistant City Administrator for Shakopee, where he has been employed for nearly three years. Prior to that, he served as Aitkin County Administrator for two years, as a Performance Management Consultant for The Khanna Group for more than one year, and as Todd County Administrator for four years. Mr. Burkett holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Public Administration and a master’s degree in Public Administration. He is also a Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow.  

 

Christina Volkers, who is City Manager for Moorhead, where she has served for more than two years. Prior to that, she was employed by the San Bernardino Superior Court for three years as Court Executive Officer and as an Assistant Court Executive Officer for three years. She also served at the Sacramento Superior Court for one year as Court Executive Officer. She has held other positions within the court system as well. Ms. Volkers holds a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management/Business Administration.  

 

Bruce Messelt, who is the Chisago County Administrator, a position he has held for nearly eight years. Prior to that, he served as the City Administrator for Lake Elmo for two years, as the President of Oak Grove Lutheran School for two years, and as the City Manager for Moorhead for five years. Mr. Messelt holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science, History, and International Relations, as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration. 

 

The Board hopes to have the new administrator start work in Sherburne County by early August.