(The Center Square) – Bossier businessman Shane Cheatham has been named the city’s next chief administrative officer, a position he was selected for in 2021 but backed away from after the city council balked.
Nominated again by Mayor Tommy Chandler, Cheatham will again need approval from the council, which has seen some turnover in the past five years. The item is on its Tuesday meeting agenda.
If approved, he would fill a vacancy left by Amanda Nottingham, who left the position earlier this month, according to the city’s website.
Cheatham served on the Bossier school board before he was elected as a District 1 councilman in 2021. He then left the position, intending to accept Chandler’s nomination of him as chief administrative officer in his first mayoral term.
Cheatham eventually withdrew from consideration because he said it was evident he could not secure enough council votes. Scott Irwin was appointed to fill his seat until a special election was held, which Brian Hammons won.
A news release from the mayor’s office describes Cheatham as “a respected business owner” whose “work ethic, his commitment to service and his integrity made him the sensible choice for the position of CAO.”
The chief administrative officer supports the mayor in day-to-day administration and management of city government functions; acts as his top administrative aide; helps implement policies and directives; and coordinates activities, according to the Bossier City charter.
Elected officials on the council have largely changed since Cheatham’s nomination stalled in 2021. Only two of the seven council members are still serving.
