Atlanta confirms new chief financial officer

J. Anthony "Jim" Beard was confirmed this week as the city of Atlanta's new chief financial officer. He replaced Joya De Foor. Last year, Beard was one of three finalists considered for the city's CFO job. Although he lost out to De Foor, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed hired Beard away from a job in Palm Beach County and named him chief financial officer and deputy commissioner of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management.

He served as acting CFO of the city for about a month until Monday, Nov. 21, when his appointment was confirmed by the City Council.