Three finalists for Crow Wing County’s information technology director will be interviewed by the board members.

Finalists are Deborah Erickson, Robert Litke and DeeAnne Newville.

The post has been vacant since long-term IT director Jim Eder retired. Eder submitted his retirement notice in February and left his post in June.

The county went through one round of candidates, interviewing three finalists in May after getting 30 applicants and naming nine before those were narrowed to the three finalists. But no one was hired. Instead the commissioners, with a majority in favor of hiring an information technology director, accepted a proposal to work with 7Sigma Systems, to help the county with an assessment and five-year strategy plan for a technology vision.

One of the finalists in this second round of interviews, Litke, was a finalist from the earlier search.

Erickson was county auditor from 2006 to 2010. She has been employed with the county since 1994 and currently serves as elections coordinator/deputy auditor. Erickson serves as project manager for a number of county initiatives, the county reported. The Brainerd High School graduate is working toward a bachelor’s in business management with the College of St. Scholastica and expects to earn her degree by May of 2013. She attended Central Lakes College and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Erickson is an active member of the Brainerd Rotary, Brainerd Public Schools Foundation, St. Mathias Catholic Church and Minnesota Association of County Officers.

Litke has served as the information technology director at Mille Lacs Health System since 2005. Crow Wing County reported Litke previously worked as a network analyst for Country Insurance from 2000 to 2005, was an information systems manager for the U.S. Army from 1996 to 2000 and was a computer repaid technician for the Army from 1991 to 2000. A Central Lakes College graduate, Litke is also working on a bachelor’s degree in business management at St. Scholastica. Litke is also mayor of the city of Harding. He is also active in the Harding Sportsman Club, Harding/Lastrup Snow Dusters and a member of the Society of Healthcare Information Management systems.

Newville has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Newville has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. She previously was Grand Rapids-based Lake Country Power director of administrative services from 2006 to 2011. The county reported Newville’s work included oversight of information technology, finance, billing and call center operations. Newville also worked at Avery Weigh-Tronix in Fairmont from 1994 to 2006. Her work there included leadership assignments in information technology, human resources and as the business unit manager.

The Crow Wing County Board expects to complete interviews in January.

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.