The Upper Cumberland Development District has a new executive director. The embattled organization went outside, rather than hiring from within.White County financial director Mark Farley was hired last week to take the place of Wendy Askins, who resigned amid a firestorm of controversy regarding improper spending.“I’ve not had a chance to get a full grasp on the situation yet,” said Farley, when questioned about his goals. “However, I will say that this organization provides a lot of wonderful services in the Upper Cumberland and one of my goals will be to restore the confidence people once had in it and assure state agencies that we have funding going in the right direction.”McMinnville Mayor Norman Rone believes Farley can do just that.“I believe we chose the right person for the job,” said McMinnville Mayor Norman Rone.