Henry Cohen out as city of Albany Human Resources director

ALBANY — Though she declined to discuss what she called a “personnel matter,” Albany City Manager Sharon Subadan confirmed Saturday that the city’s Human Resources director, Henry Cohen, is “in the process” of being terminated.

Subadan, who was preparing Saturday to attend the four-day Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia conference in Jacksonville, Fla., that starts today and continues through Wednesday, said that Cohen’s termination has not been finalized but said that he had been notified of the decision.

“This is a personnel matter, and therefore I am not at liberty to discuss it,” Subadan said.

The Albany city manager said Assistant City Manager Wes Smith will direct the Human Resources department while she “evaluates what is needed in the future.”

“Wes Smith will take on these (Human Resources) responsibilities in addition to his other responsibilities as assistant city manager,” Subadan said. “We’ll evaluate the situation and determine the best course. Eventually, I expect we will conduct a search (for a qualified candidate) to fill the position.”

A University of Georgia graduate, Cohen had worked with the city of Albany since late 2011. He previously had worked as HR director of Aranov Realty Management Inc. of Montgomery, Ala.

Subadan did not immediately have a time line for naming Cohen’s permanent replacement.