County supervisors have hired a new chief financial officer to manage the books of the cash-strapped Kern Medical Center.

Andrew Cantu has spent the last 20 years doing accounting work for Mercy Hospitals and Dignity Health in Bakersfield. He says he looks forward to the new job.

“It’s true – KMC does great work, and they do great service to the community,” Cantu said. “I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Cantu takes over Feb. 9th. Supervisors fired former CFO Sandra Martin last summer in the middle of her three-year contract

– Anthony Pollreisz