Gillen Appoints Averil Smith Town's Acting Comptroller

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen announced on Monday that she appointed Town Finance Director Averil Smith as acting comptroller for the town. She is the first black woman in the town's history to serve as comptroller.

Smith, a certified public accountant with an extensive background in auditing, previously served as comptroller in North Hempstead. During her tenure, North Hempstead earned several credit rating upgrades to AAA, the highest possible and best among Nassau County towns.

Smith, an Elmont resident, also has over a decade of experience as a financial auditor working in various firms, including Ernst and Young. In North Hempstead, Smith is credited with identifying a former employee who embezzled more than $98,000 from the Solid Waste Management Authority.

“I am humbled that Supervisor Gillen has asked me to serve in this vital role and I look forward to scrutinizing every taxpayer dollar that flows through Town Hall,” said Smith.

“Averil Smith is an exceptionally talented and uniquely qualified financial expert who is needed to help oversee the town’s finances,” Gillen said. “Her prior experience ferreting out corruption and overseeing public dollars with an eagle eye approach is exactly what taxpayers want.”

Gillen said that Smith has agreed to take on the new role at her same pay and that a new finance director will not be appointed. Smith will also forgo the use of a town car that was assigned to the previous comptroller.

“Averil Smith has already started working with the comptroller’s office and planning the 2020 budget,” said Gillen. “She is the perfect candidate to ensure a seamless transition during the middle of budget season.”

Smith replaces long-serving Town Comptroller Kevin Conroy, who unexpectedly retired.