Laserfiche WebLink
Zientara will take on responsibilities at a time when – despite an increase in local option <br />income taxes – the City is facing projected revenue losses of $6 million from the state’s <br />property tax caps and an estimated $2 million resulting from the global economic crisis. <br /> <br />“I am a very conservative-minded individual in terms of my approach to business and <br />financial matters. I like challenges. I like finding and creating solutions to the challenges <br />that exist in an organization,” Zientara said. “I have been described as a fix-it person, to <br />go into a situation and improve the functionality of the services provided. … The <br />budgetary issues I’ve experienced and the various challenges I’ve faced in the private <br />sector provide a good foundation and I believe have prepared me for the challenges the <br />City faces.” <br /> <br />Zientara, a resident of Clay Township, most recently has served as chief financial officer <br />and secretary of South Bend-based Cyberlink Technologies Inc. as well as controller for <br />Redman Homes Inc., of Topeka, Ind., a $100-million subsidiary of Champion Enterprise <br />Inc. At Redman, he was responsible for all financial, administrative, product-delivery <br />and human-resource functions. <br /> <br />“There is a real opportunity for Gregg to help us look at streamlining operations and <br />bringing added efficiency and value to City services,” Luecke said. “He will bring the eye <br />and experience of someone who merged different corporate organizations, reduced costs <br />while improving customer service, and implementing cultural change in the workplace.” <br /> <br />As controller, Zientara will be responsible for formulating the City’s budget and <br />overseeing operations of the Department of Administration and Finance, which includes <br />divisions for human resources, safety and risk management, and information technology. <br />He has provided similar oversight in previous assignments. <br /> <br />“One of the capabilities I bring to the position is what I’ve provided in the private sector: <br />continuously looking for ways and opportunities to create efficiencies, find solutions to <br />issues, properly allocate funds and control expenditures,” Zientara said. “I believe the <br />experiences I’ve encountered throughout my career in the private sector are a good <br />foundation for serving the public.” <br /> <br />Zientara previously served as chief financial officer and treasurer of Michigan City-based <br />Sanlo Inc., where he established a new opening balance sheet, financial accounting and <br />reporting structure after the company was acquired by a private equity group. He served <br />internationally in Korea as a consultant to General Motors in its acquisition of the <br />Daewoo automobile manufacturing company and in Paris as an international controller <br />with Miles Laboratories Inc. <br /> <br />Zientara received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accountancy from <br />the University of Toledo (Ohio). He has received an executive management certificate <br />from the University of Notre Dame and an executive leadership certificate from the <br />Mahler Institute in New Jersey. He is a member of the Institute of Management <br />Accountants and the Financial Executive Networking Group. <br /> <br />- 30 - <br />