Jim Chrisman, Beaufort County’s financial manager and assistant county manager, has given notice that he will be moving on from county administration to Tideland EMC.

Chrisman has been with the county for 11 years, but come Sept. 9, he will be taking the reins as Tideland’s chief financial officer and manager of internal services. Tideland, based in Pantego, is a not-for-profit utilities company serving co-op members in Beaufort, Craven, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico and Washington counties. Chrisman will be taking over for Tideland’s current CFO, who is retiring.

“His guidance and leadership has been invaluable in working with the board to advance the county in many ways, especially through his excellent financial management skills. During the past three years of my time here, I could not have asked for a more supportive and valuable assistant,” said County Manager Randell Woodruff in a written statement.

Beaufort County Commissioner Al Klemm seconded Woodruff’s assessment.

“You can’t find a more top-notch, dedicated, hard-working individual for the county than Jim Chrisman,” Klemm said.

Klemm joked that Chrisman’s job was likely made stressful due to the many requests for information coming from the commissioners and replacing him would be “just about impossible.”

Klemm said Chrisman’s advanced notice will see administration and commissioners through the annual county audit. Still, his absence will be noted, according to Woodruff.

“The commissioners and I are very sorry to see Jim Chrisman leave his position with Beaufort County. … We wish him all the best in this new career opportunity,” Woodruff said.