TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The incoming Brandon Sakbun administration continues to take shape as the Mayor-elect announced who will serve as City Attorney and Controller in the coming year.
Serving as in the role of City Attorney will be Michael James Wright, while Jessica Thome will serve as Controller.
A graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Jessica Thome has reportedly worked as a staff accountant for the Indiana Welfare & Pension Fund as well as for Thompson Thrift Construction. Thome is not a newcomer to Terre Haute as she is the current Chief Deputy Controller for the city.
“Jessica has over a decade’s worth of experience in accounting in both the private sector and public sector. Since her arrival as Deputy Controller three years ago, the office has made great strides,” Sakbun said. “I am confident in her abilities to improve our city’s budget. Jessica and I are already hard at work reviewing the 2024 budget and identifying shortfalls and opportunities. The focus is on delivering the best services to taxpayers in the most optimal and efficient ways. She is well suited to help lead a full review of our city’s finances and chart the way forward.”
Getting his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, Michael James Wright has reportedly been licensed to practice law in Indiana since 2006. Wright graduated from Terre Haute North High School before continuing his education at Purdue University. Wright has worked as a public defender in Vigo County Juvenile Court starting in 2006, as a full time attorney for the Vigo County Commissioners starting in 2016, in 2020 returned to public defender work in the major felony role, and in 2022 began working as the attorney for the Vigo County Council.
“Michael is an accomplished attorney who has ample experience in both private law and municipal law. He has been a member of the Vigo County legal community since his graduation from law school in 2006,” Sakbun said. “We have some challenges ahead as we are planning to update our city’s ordinances, zoning, and structure of departments. Michael’s successes in municipal government as the Vigo County Council’s attorney and former attorney for the Vigo County Commissioners will be of great benefit to the team as we seek to modernize local government here in Terre Haute.”
