Jan 30, 2017 2 min read

Joshua Hatfield is moving up in the world in more ways than one.

Hatfield, 32, of Washington, deputy controller to Washington County Controller Michael Namie since August 2010, has moved from the fourth floor of the Courthouse Square office building to the top floor after he was officially named to replace longtime finance director Roger Metcalfe.

Washington County Salary Board Jan. 19 set Hatfield’s salary at $78,175.

The county hired Hatfield as an analyst for the finance department in 2004. Through distance learning, he earned a bachelor of science degree in business management and economics with a concentration in business administration from the State University of New York-Empire State College in Saratoga Springs.

The finance department handles preparation of the county’s annual budget, a multistep process that begins months in advance of its December adoption deadline and includes public hearings. The department also monitors expenses, revenues and investments throughout the year, makes financial projections and handles fiscal reporting for various state and federal grants.

Metcalfe, a Washington County employee for 38 years, was deputy controller under Patricia Beharry until working in the finance department. Before retiring last week, he also was the leader of a weekly Bible study for county employees. He said he plans to pursue mission work in various fields, locally and abroad.