HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-09 New City Controller brings private-sector track record
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
August 5, 2009
Noon
New City Controller brings private-sector track record
Contact:
Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Mayor Stephen J. Luecke is turning to the private sector in announcing the appointment
of a veteran chief financial officer and corporate controller as South Bend’s new City
Controller.
Gregg D. Zientara brings experience as a chief financial officer serving in healthcare,
manufacturing and service industries for both publicly and privately held companies in
the United States, Europe and the Far East. He was selected from a field of candidates in
a search process led by former City Controller Cathy Roemer, now assistant dean for law
school administration at the University of Notre Dame.
Despite experience exclusively in the private sector, Zientara (pronounced zin TAIR uh)
drew attention among the candidates for his success in helping companies strengthen
their financial and business-support operations to enable them to reach the next level in
organization and business development. He was commended as a professional, hands-on
manager with good interpersonal skills.
“Gregg has a wide range of experience as CFO for small and large companies, working in
the United States, Europe and the Far East. He comes highly recommended,” Luecke
said. “He has re-engineered financial, operational and back-office support operations and
will bring a fresh perspective to City operations as we continue to find more efficient and
effective ways to deliver City services. I am thrilled to have Gregg join our team.”
He succeeds Catherine M. Fanello, who was first appointed to the position in 2005.
Zientara will begin his new duties Thursday amid the City’s preparation for its 2010
budget and allowing some overlap with Fanello before her last day on Aug. 14. Fanello
will remain available on a part-time basis through the conclusion of the budget process
and contract negotiations for 2010.
Zientara will take on responsibilities at a time when – despite an increase in local option
income taxes – the City is facing projected revenue losses of $6 million from the state’s
property tax caps and an estimated $2 million resulting from the global economic crisis.
“I am a very conservative-minded individual in terms of my approach to business and
financial matters. I like challenges. I like finding and creating solutions to the challenges
that exist in an organization,” Zientara said. “I have been described as a fix-it person, to
go into a situation and improve the functionality of the services provided. … The
budgetary issues I’ve experienced and the various challenges I’ve faced in the private
sector provide a good foundation and I believe have prepared me for the challenges the
City faces.”
Zientara, a resident of Clay Township, most recently has served as chief financial officer
and secretary of South Bend-based Cyberlink Technologies Inc. as well as controller for
Redman Homes Inc., of Topeka, Ind., a $100-million subsidiary of Champion Enterprise
Inc. At Redman, he was responsible for all financial, administrative, product-delivery
and human-resource functions.
“There is a real opportunity for Gregg to help us look at streamlining operations and
bringing added efficiency and value to City services,” Luecke said. “He will bring the eye
and experience of someone who merged different corporate organizations, reduced costs
while improving customer service, and implementing cultural change in the workplace.”
As controller, Zientara will be responsible for formulating the City’s budget and
overseeing operations of the Department of Administration and Finance, which includes
divisions for human resources, safety and risk management, and information technology.
He has provided similar oversight in previous assignments.
“One of the capabilities I bring to the position is what I’ve provided in the private sector:
continuously looking for ways and opportunities to create efficiencies, find solutions to
issues, properly allocate funds and control expenditures,” Zientara said. “I believe the
experiences I’ve encountered throughout my career in the private sector are a good
foundation for serving the public.”
Zientara previously served as chief financial officer and treasurer of Michigan City-based
Sanlo Inc., where he established a new opening balance sheet, financial accounting and
reporting structure after the company was acquired by a private equity group. He served
internationally in Korea as a consultant to General Motors in its acquisition of the
Daewoo automobile manufacturing company and in Paris as an international controller
with Miles Laboratories Inc.
Zientara received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accountancy from
the University of Toledo (Ohio). He has received an executive management certificate
from the University of Notre Dame and an executive leadership certificate from the
Mahler Institute in New Jersey. He is a member of the Institute of Management
Accountants and the Financial Executive Networking Group.
- 30 -