By Dave Vieser. Julie Niswonger says her new job as finance director for the town of Cornelius couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I had been looking to advance further,” said Niswonger, 38. She replaces Jackie Huffman who became finance director for the Town of Huntersville. “With Jackie leaving, it really made sense for me to apply. With my longevity here at the town, it really felt like a good fit at the right time and a fantastic opportunity,” she said.

Town Manager Anthony Roberts agrees. “It made sense for Julie to move into this position after being under the tutelage of Jackie Huffman for 14 years. It is a great opportunity for her to advance in her career.”

There will be no warm up period for Niswonger. The town, while strong fiscally, is facing some tough decisions in the next two months as it formulates the 2017 budget, and a tax increase may be in the offing. She’ll need all the resources she’s developed over the years to make sure the numbers add up.

The Hamptonville native will make $70,000 a year.

“It made sense for Julie to move into this position after being under the tutelage of Jackie Huffman for 14 years. It is a great opportunity for her to advance in her career.”

— Anthony Roberts, Cornelius Town Manager

Niswonger’s fiscal training began right after she graduated from Starmount High School, when Niswonger, whose maiden name was Money—yes that’s correct—attended Appalachian State University, where she earned her degree in 2001. In addition, she gained hands-on experience working part-time with her family’s motorcycle parts business on weekends and during the summer.

But it was the many years working at the town that really provided her with a solid background in municipal finance. “Jackie hired me, and we made a great little team over the years. She really taught me everything I know about local government finance today,” Niswonger says.

Ironically, Cornelius Town Hall has also played a major part in her personal life. She met her husband Mark at Town Hall in 2002 when he was working as a contract computer and information specialist. He helped her set up the profile on her computer. They started dating toward the end of the year, and were married soon afterward.

Today, her husband is a technology manager for Mitchell Community College. The Niswongers, who live in the Oakhurst section of Cornelius, have two daughters, Laila, 11, and Madison, 7. Both attend JV Washam Elementary School.

The family recently discovered mountain biking and they enjoy it. “We are still learning, but it definitely is a great way to spend time together as a family and get some much-needed exercise,” she says.

What makes municipal finance so interesting? “I do love a good challenge, and I honestly believe that is what keeps life interesting.”