Blaine County will soon lose one of its most experienced voices with county administrator Mike McNees' acceptance of a leadership position with USA Track & Field.
County officials announced McNees' surprising decision on Thursday.
In his new role, McNees will take over as chief operating officer at the national track and field organization starting in March. He will supervise the organization's administration, operations and marketing departments and coordinate long-range planning.
USA Track & Field is the national governing body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States.
McNees will also serve as chief staff liaison to the organization's board of directors. An active competitor himself, McNees will be the principal staff coordinator and advocate to the masters track and field community.
McNees was hired to serve as the county's first full-time county administrator in June 2007. He said he's been very happy working and living in the county.
"I couldn't ask for a better group to work for than our Blaine County Commission, and have come to feel very connected to this special place," he said. "(But) the opportunity to work with everything from youth programs to elite athlete and Olympic programs in a sport that has meant a lot to me personally is something that I just cannot ignore."
As a three-time varsity letterman for the Indiana University track team, McNees earned all-conference honors and was a Big Ten team champion as well as a member of the university's school and Big Ten meet record-setting 4x400-meter relay team, a county news release states. Later on as a graduate student at Louisiana Tech, McNees coached the school's sprinters and hurdlers to help pay his way through school.
According to Blaine County Commissioner Tom Bowman, transition planning at the county has already begun. Bowman said McNees has been tasked with bringing several items to completion prior to his exit in March, including revenue and budget analysis based on current economic conditions and helping to select his replacement.
"There is no doubt that the community's loss is USA Track and Field's gain," Bowman said. "I am pleased that Mike has helped craft a more than generous transition plan and with his offer of assistance in hiring a new administrator."
Blaine County Administrator Mike McNees has accepted a new job with USA Track & Field that will require him to step down from his current position by March.
