Rolling off on to the second floor of the Alhambra Theatre in Hopkinsville Wednesday afternoon, Walter Cummings had that signature smile on his face and laughed.
He was arriving for his two-hour reception — one planned following his 17-plus years as Christian County’s treasurer under Judge Executives Steve Tribble and Jerry Gilliam.
A fiscal confidant to many, Cummings said he’s still got plenty in the tank.
Following a near two-decade run at the office, plus a close race for county clerk against friend Melinda Humphries, Cummings took a key position with United Southern Bank — highly-qualified following his studious nature with county government, his CPA status with Duguid, Gentry & Associates, and his bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville.
Cummings served under Tribble from 2006 until 2022, and was a necessary pillar of Gilliam’s transition thereafter.
He moved on of his own volition, in a choice that best fit he and his family, but the memories — and community growth during his time — will stay with him.
Furthermore, Cummings said it never got tiring counting the community cash.
As the right-hand man of Tribble for so long, it could have been easy for Cummings to balk at the idea of change in the guard.
Gilliam, a magistrate prior, said it was anything but negative — lauding his Swiss-Army-knife capability, and insatiable work ethic.
Magistrate Phillip Peterson remembers when he was first elected, and the amount of knowledge Cummings was able to bestow on him as he grew comfortable in the seat.
In late October 2023, fiscal court approved Natalie Pyle for treasurer, made effective November 1. Cummings was kept on board for 30 more days as a special projects manager, a role that the court noted could be recallable if his expertise were ever needed.
Wednesday, however, he could relax on a job well done.
