CFO, Finance Director, Analyst

THOMAS C. SKROBOLA *********@*****.***

**** ************ ***** *: 269-***-****

Kalamazoo, MI 49009 H: 269-***-****

CAREER SUMMARY

An accomplished and trusted Senior Financial Executive, CFO with an extensive background in both government municipal leadership, and many parnterships with non-profits and for-profit entities. Management background includes controllership, financial reporting and planning, investment diversification and portfolio design, information systems and auditing. Well-developed analytical, interpersonal, general management and team development skills. Highly innovative with instinctive ability to conceive and drive improved business performance.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Government

Budgeting

Treasury

Pension Administration

Procurement

Public Policy

Accounting

Banking

Retiree Health Care

Accounts Payable

Leadership

Auditing

Assessing

Portfolio Management

Payroll

Strategic Planning

Internal Controls

Appraisal

Portfolio Design

Information Technology

Management

Actuarial Studies

Billing

Trust Fund Design

Enterprise Resource Planning

Labor Negotiations

Cost Allocation

Collections

Trust Fund Management

Database Design

Regional Negotiations

Capital Planning

Reconciliation

Financial Reporting

Application Development

Economic Development

Grant Writing

Tax Billing

Financial Analysis

Performance Measurement

Project Management

Analytics

Tax Settlement

Financial Modeling

Performance Reporting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CITY OF KALAMAZOO 6/2007 to 5/2018

Kalamazoo (pop. 74,262) is the major city in the Kalamazoo-Portage Metro Area (pop. 335,340).

Director of Management Services/CFO

Oversaw day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the Management Services Department, including a staff of 34 covering the following functional areas: Debt Administration, Budgeting and Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Retirement (stand-alone system), Treasury, Assessing, and Purchasing. Liaison/Administrator for Pension Investment Committee + Pension Board of Trustees.

Created Income Tax feasibility study with consultant team for City Manager’s Blue-Ribbon Revenue Panel of citizens, and created the financial model for a new Foundation of Excellence (FFE) for sustainable urban government. Several major donors have promised to endow the City with $500 million to perpetually finance a large property tax cut beginning in 2017, balance the General Fund budget, provide critical infrastructure and aspirational projects/programs.

Implemented an innovative Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) model, data system and high performance management scorecard system to re-focus the City Budget presentation away from line items and objects towards programs that maximize community results. Identified 500 programs with costing, scoring, analytics, and reporting of enterprise-wide performance measurements and results to decision-makers.

Created an estimated $100 million of future retiree health care resources through retiree health care investment solution. As a key member of the community-wide Legacy Cost Task Force for the City in 2014, I led all financial and actuarial research, and developed the approved financial model for retiree health care.

oIssued $90 million of OPEB Bonds (equal to 75% of the liability) and established $3.5 million of annual fixed contributions over 30 years. Will fully fund the City’s retiree health care liability and fix the budgetary impact of retiree health care for operational funds and securing affordable benefits through MOUs and continuing periodic negotiation as needed with bargaining units.

Saved the City over $6 million of annual expenses through an Early Retirement Initiative (ERI) in 2011 – 2012, which reduced nearly 100 positions (without layoffs), while preserving priority programs, and creating the opportunity for the reinvention of City government through a government-wide Strategic Alignment Plan. Monetized cell tower lease revenue to finance a “hold-harmless” payback to Pension Fund.

Saved the City over $1 million of annual health care costs through successful negotiation of employee collective bargaining agreements.

CITY OF ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN 6/1998 to 6/2007

Finance Director/Treasurer

Managed the day-to-day operations of the Finance and Treasury Department and Information Technology, supervised a staff of four.

Hands on Financial and Treasury management, including monthly profit and loss statements, bank reconciliations, cash flow projections and analysis, banking, reconciliations, short-term investments, tax collection, tax distribution and tax settlement with Oakland County. Automated many functions through hands-on design of end-user spreadsheet and database applications.

Implemented new computer network, including server room, wiring, hardware/software, and desktop/laptop equipment.

Installed new 911 Dispatch Center, including design, contractor selection, construction, furniture, hardware/software, telephony and redundant systems.

Designed and oversaw City Hall expansion, including general offices, Police secure area for booking, holding, sally port, evidence and quartermaster, and locker rooms.

Produced 10 annual balanced budgets and 10 annual “clean” external audits.

VILLAGE OF CASSOPOLIS 10/1996 to 5/1998

Village Manager

Managed the day-to-day operations of village government with a staff of 12, including Police, Fire, Public Works, Water and Sewer services, Building Inspections, Village Council and Committee support, and intergovernmental relations.

Produced two annual balanced budgets and two annual “clean” external audits.

Acquired $2 million of grants and loans to rebuild the Village’s Water System, including wells, transmission and distribution lines, water towers, and streets.

EDUCATION

Masters Public Administration Eastern Michigan University

Bachelor of Science Public Administration Eastern Michigan University

Highlights: Public policy research in national and municipal privatization, local and state government budgeting, public infrastructure finance, intergovernmental grants, and unfunded mandates.

Honors: Nominated for Michigan Public Administration Association’s award for best public administration research paper (March 1996).

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Michigan Government Finance Officers Association (MGFOA)

Chair of Membership + Mentoring Committee (2017 – Present)

Immediate Past President: 2014 – 2015

President: 2013 – 2014

Vice-President: 2012 – 2013

Treasurer: 2011 – 2012

Representative to GFOA: 2007 – 2011

Director: 2004 – 2006

VOLUNTEERISM

Leader, Woodlands Trail Life, Troop MI-1515, 2018 – Present

Lead Cantor, St. Mary’s Church, February 2017 – Present

Member, Strategic Planning Steering Committee, St. Mary’s Church, February 2017 – Present

Secretary, Boy Scouts Troop 171 Charter Committee, 2014 – 2017

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