Dorchester County welcomes Denise M. Christmas as new Deputy Administrator – Chief Financial Officer
June 17, 2024
Dorchester County is pleased to announce Denise M. Christmas as the new Deputy Administrator/Chief Financial Officer. With 24 years of dedicated county government experience in South Carolina, Ms. Christmas brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role.
Ms. Christmas most recently served as the Deputy County Administrator/Chief Financial Officer with Beaufort County. During her tenure, she has successfully supervised multiple departments and functions, including procurement, finance, payroll, grants, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, and internal audit preparation. She has been instrumental in preparing monthly and quarterly financial statements and budgets.
Prior to her role in Beaufort County, Ms. Christmas served as the Deputy Administrator/Chief Financial Officer for Calhoun County. There, she gained extensive experience with enterprise and special revenue funds, budget preparation, audit preparation, bond issuance, and computing millage. Her career also includes a significant tenure as the Accounting Manager with Orangeburg County, where she worked on the capital penny sales tax program.
Ms. Christmas is a graduate from Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration, and she is a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) through the Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina. She is also a graduate of the South Carolina Association of Counties’ Institute of Governments certification program and NaCO’s High Performance Leadership Academy.
Dorchester County Administrator Jason L. Ward expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment: “We are thrilled to welcome Denise M. Christmas to our team. Her extensive background and proven track record in county government finance and administration make her an invaluable addition to Dorchester County. We are confident that her leadership and expertise will help us continue to enhance our financial operations and overall county management.”
Her first day with Dorchester County was Monday, June 10, 2024.
