Post Date:02/15/2022 8:38 AMThe Chamber room was full of love at Monday night’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting – and not just because it was Valentine’s Day. A new Finance Director was appointed and everyone in the room was eager to celebrate Valesa Wells.
“Being able to serve people is what drives me. If I can make a process better or help an individual, I am able to serve in a greater capacity. That really excites me,” said Valesa. Becoming the Finance Director is a significant accomplishment for Valesa’s career, but also for Collierville, because she is the first African American Department Head in the Town’s history.
“It’s significant and it’s humbling,” said Valesa. “My story is a story of redemption and being led by God when my path is not always clear. My faith is what keeps me going.”
A native of Memphis, Valesa graduated from Fairley High School and proudly served eight years of active and reserve duty in the United States Navy. Following her military service, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Memphis, and a technical certificate in Accounting from Southwest Tennessee Community College. In 2021, she earned her Master of Public Administration and a Certificate in Local Government Management from the University of Memphis.
“Valesa is an incredible asset to the Town of Collierville. I know her performance will be stellar as she has proven in the past,” said Mark Krock, the outgoing Finance Director. Mark is retiring March 1, 2022, after seven years in the role. Valesa started working with Mark in 2015 as a Budget Officer, but she had ties to Collierville before becoming an employee.
Valesa worked for Public Financial Management (PFM) from 1995 to 2011 during which time she served as the Town’s Independent Financial Advisor. In addition to Collierville, her clients included the City of Memphis, Bartlett, Shelby County, the State of Tennessee, and she was assigned to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2010 when the local staff in Louisiana was displaced.
In 2012, she embarked on an entrepreneurial endeavor and founded Your Executive Secretary (YES! LLC) providing virtual business support services. After a few years, she decided to apply for an open Budget Officer position with the Town. She spent four years in that role before pursuing another opportunity with Shelby County, and in 2021, Valesa returned to the Town as the Finance Manager.
Valesa speaks highly of a few mentors who encouraged her along her career path, from teachers to the Town’s Administrator, James Lewellen. For James, spotting Valesa’s leadership potential was apparent from her first role with the Town.
“Valesa has this incredible way of taking complicated processes and presenting them with ease and universal understanding. She knows the budget inside and out and will be a natural when it comes to overseeing the rest of the Finance Department’s responsibilities,” said James.
In her new role, Valesa is looking forward to taking the Finance Department’s solid foundation of service and using new technology to improve the quality of service for residents, such as new residents registering for utilities online. With new possibilities, Valesa also acknowledges new challenges. An economic downturn is imminent in the coming years, and she wants to make sure the Town remains financially strong.
“This is a dream organization,” said Valesa. “We’re not just here to deliver services to the community, there is a heart for the employees. There is a heart for what we do and how we do it."
With a heart for service herself, a Valentine's Day promotion for Valesa was a sweet coincidence. Return to full list >>
