After months without a permanent employee in the position, the city of Suffolk has hired a Washington, D.C., financial officer to take over as its director of finance.

Dale M. Walker starts the new job on Monday, according to Suffolk spokeswoman Debbie George. City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn announced his appointment in a news release on Friday.

Walker has 40 years of experience in the area of finance, having begun his career as director of finance for the city of Owosso, Mich. He has also served as an internal auditor and an adjunct professor of economics at John Wesley College and as an adjunct professor of accounting at Baker College.

He began a career in Cadillac, Mich., in 1977 and retired in 2007 as deputy city manager and director of finance. Following his retirement, he took a position as chief financial officer for the District of Columbia Retirement Board.

He has received numerous honors, including recognition in Who’s Who in Finance and Business, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World and Strathmore’s Who’s Who in Leadership.

“Dale brings with him extensive experience in municipal finance, management skills and leadership qualities that we looked for in this critical role,” Cuffee-Glenn said. “He will be an outstanding addition to the city’s management team.”