Lori Helle is Hazelwood's New Finance Director

wasn't lacking financial leadership upon the retirement of Donnie Burns, the city's finance director, who'd served for 33 years. 

Lori Helle was quickly hired to continue in Burns' path and she took the helm after on March 2. 

Before accepting the position in Hazelwood, Helle spent three years serving as the finance and personnel director for Branson, MO.  She said Branson has a lot going for itself and its operation methods are what qualified her for the jump to Hazelwood. 

“Even though the population of Branson is only 10,520, it operates like a much larger community with 8 million tourists coming to Branson per year,” she said.  “The city offers three prize-winning lakes for fishing, 100+ ‘live’ music shows, world-class shopping venues, and a convention center managed by Hilton.”

Helle moved back to the St. Louis area with her family in December 2011.  She applied and was offered the position with Hazelwood.  She lives in Fenton with her husband, Chuck, who is currently a fire captain for the City of Glendale.  They have been together for 15 years, married 13 years, and have four children from previous marriages.

Helle is a 1991 Drury University graduate. She has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration. She earned her MBA in 2009 at Lindenwood University.

In 1991, Helle started working as an accountant for a private company right out of college. She later began her first municipal government job as the finance officer for the City of Glendale, Mo., in 1994.  Since then, Helle has held similar positions throughout the past 18 years, including some time working for the City of Chesterfield and City of Branson.