North Las Vegas taps Switch exec to be finance director

By Brian Nordli

Published Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013 | 6:10 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013 | 7:50 p.m.

North Las Vegas has found its new finance director, announcing today the selection of Las Vegas-based data center Switch CFO Darren Adair.

The selection is pending approval of the City Council, which will vote on it at its next meeting on Wednesday. Adair, a North Las Vegas resident and member of the citizens' Utility Advisory Board, was selected for his experience at successful private-sector startups such as Switch, said Ryann Juden, city director of intergovernmental affairs.

The move comes about one week after former financial director Al Zochowski ended his tenure at the city after less than two years on the job. As acting financial director, Adair would oversee a budget of about $434 million and earn an annual salary of $125,000, city officials said.

Adair brings more than 20 years of accounting experience in a variety of areas including institutional and private financing, contract review and cash management analysis, among others. He holds a master’s degree in accountancy and dual bachelor of science degrees in accounting and business information management and education from Southern Utah University.

Assistant City Manager Tim Colbert has filled in as acting financial director.

Zochowski had been the third top administrator to leave the city in the weeks since Lee took office. Last month, City Manager Tim Hacker and City Attorney Jeff Barr also announced their resignations.

Hacker, Barr and Zochowski were holdovers from former North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck’s administration.