Assistant administrator says goodbye to Aiken [Aiken Standard, S.C.]

Dec. 27--It is the people Todd Glover will miss the most.

Glover, who has served as an Aiken County Assistant Administrator for a little more than three years, worked his last day Thursday. He's not going far, though. His first day as North Augusta's new city administrator is Jan. 3.

His goal has always been to serve as an administrator, but he said it was hard for him to leave his position.

"It is tough to leave this organization. There is a good staff here. I am excited, but nervous too, because it's something new," he said.

Glover's hiring as an assistant administrator in October 2008, and Brian Sanders' hiring also as assistant administrator two months later, was part of restructuring departmental oversight. Glover oversaw the public services side of County government, such as Emergency Services, Planning and Development and the Tax Collector and Tax Assessor's offices.

Sanders oversees administrative services, such as Buildings and Grounds, Risk Management and Victim Services.

The restructuring, Glover said, helped take the burden of a large work load off Administrator Clay Killian's shoulders.

Killian said last week, that throughout his career, Glover has been the best hire he's made.

Glover was involved with several major developments in Aiken County, including making headway with the new office complex, the founding of Friends of the Aiken CountyAnimal Shelter, renewal of the Capital Projects Sales Tax and formation of the private provider network for Emergency Services.

He said he is most proud of the private provider network, which allows Aiken County to enter into agreements with private ambulance companies like Palmetto Ambulance to provide emergency services.

"I think the EMS system is much stronger," he said.

His work with the network was recognized last week during a special meeting of County Council where a resolution honoring Glover's service to the County was adopted. The resolution commended and thanked him for his dedication to the "higher calling of public service."

He also worked closely with members of the Animal Control Advisory Committee to found FOTAS. He believes it's a prime example of why government should take the opportunity team up with non-profits.

"There are things we couldn't have done on our own. They (FOTAS) saw an issue they were passionate about, and they didn't just show up to a Council meeting and complain," he said.

The new animal county shelter is one project he will miss working on; he would have liked to see it to fruition.

Glover is quick to say, however, that he was only just part of a team.

"It was not just one person. There was a whole group behind it. I am hopeful the person who comes behind me is a team player. My advice is: be about the team and not about self," he said.

Glover went to USC Aiken and graduated in 1996 with a bachelor of political science. He then went on to Augusta State University, where he earned a master of public administration in 1998. He is also certified by the International City/County Managers Association as a credentialed manager.

"I like his style of meeting a problem head on," said Councilwoman LaWana McKenzie last week after reading the resolution. "When there was a problem, he always came to us with a solution. I value that as an administrator. Todd truly cares. We were very fortunate and very blessed to have him."

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