The Town of Greeneville is in the process of hiring a new athletic director for the Greeneville Parks and Recreation Department and has narrowed the field to four finalists.

The previous athletic director, Charlie Rader, retired in April.

A press release issued Friday said the four finalists are, in alphabetical order: Tony Castainca, Tyler Eaton, Mathew Friedman and Jennifer Gentry.

The town recently partnered with the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) in the use of an "Assessment Center" for the hiring process.

Preparations for the actual Assessment Center were completed by the Parks and Recreation director, members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the payroll/human resources clerk.

These individuals applied the "score card" technique and selected four individuals with the highest scores to participate in the Assessment Center.

MTAS consultant Pat Hardy conducted the Assessment Center at the Walters State Community College Greeneville campus.

Assessment panel members were Kitty Frazier, Kingsport director of Parks and Recreation; Tim Dockery, Newport director of Parks and Recreation; and Craig Ford, Jonesborough director of operations.

"These candidates were put through a series of group and individual exercises, interviews, and tests designed to simulate the conditions of the athletic director's job and determine if they have the skills and abilities necessary to perform the job," the press release states.

The three Assessment Center exercises were (1) an interview by the panel members, (2) an interaction with an irate citizen, and (3) a leaderless group.

The results from the Assessment Center ranking Castainca, Eaton, Friedman, and Gentry with their official scores and position were provided to the Town of Greeneville for continuation of the hiring process.

MTAS recommends starting the interview process with the top candidate and proceeding down the Assessment Center list until the person with the right fit is found, according to the press release.

"Very often more than one of the top two candidates are well qualified, very knowledgeable, and capable of handling the job," the press release said.

The athletic director's primary responsibility is scheduling the department's games and activities.

The athletic director also must have administrative abilities, must keep records, and must assist the executive director of the department.