By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A lengthy career in public service in St. John the Baptist Parish will come to an end next week when the parish’s chief financial officer Pat McTopy steps down to head back to the private sector.

McTopy, who has worked in St. John Parish government in several capacities on and off since 1975, will officially leave his position next Thursday. He said the move will give him more time to focus on personal and business interests in the region.

“I have several residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout the parish that need my attention,” he said. “I am glad to have had the opportunity to serve the parish once again.”

St. John Parish President Natalie Robottom said she and McTopy had discussed the possibility of his departure as far back as December. She said the two had an understanding that he would stay on as long as he can, so his decision was not much of a surprise.

“Certainly we hoped he would stay longer, but it is his decision, and we accept that,” Robottom said. “He has been a great asset to the parish. His presence and wealth of knowledge of parish infrastructure and governmental processes will be missed.”

Although the move was anticipated, McTopy said he was still reluctant to make the decision to leave with so many important construction projects underway, including various projects tied to the $29.5 million bond issue.

“I’m confident the parish is moving in the right direction,” McTopy said. “The parish is in capable hands to continue the positive progress, but Mrs. Robottom knows I will always be available to help however I can.”

McTopy officially began his career in St. John government in 1975, when he became the parish’s assistant secretary treasurer. After nearly a decade in that position, he was appointed as utilities director in 1984 under then-Parish President Arnold Labat.

McTopy left the parish in 1988 to pursue a law degree from LSU. After graduation, he returned to the parish to serve as Labat’s chief administrative officer from 1992 to 2000. He returned to the private sector when Labat left office but returned in 2008, when former Parish President Bill Hubbard pegged him as chief administrative officer.

McTopy took over as parish president after Hubbard resigned in 2009.

He remained on Robottom’s staff after she won a special election last May to finish out the remainder of Hubbard’s term.

Robottom said she has no immediate plans to fill McTopy’s position. Under previous administrations, the chief administrative officer also served as chief financial officer. She said Vince Lucia, the parish’s finance manager, will oversee the financial department until plans can be made to find a permanent replacement.

“I think the chief financial officer position is important, but we are in good hands right now,” Robottom said.

McTopy is the second, top-level St. John Parish administrator to retire recently. Earlier this month Emergency Preparedness Director Paul Oncale stepped down after a decade in office.

Oncale was replaced by Mike Tregre, a former St. John Sheriff’s Office public information officer and investigator for the parish’s District Attorney’s Office.