City Finance Director Thomas H. Chase, CPA, was recently honored by the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association with its first Public Sector Member of the Year Award. This award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to the finance profession, the public sector and the public good.
Since 1989, Chase has been a member of MGFOA, a 600-member professional association of public officials and finance professionals striving to promote excellence in government finance since its establishment in 1938.
Noted in his nomination was Chase’s commitment to building connections among association members. Since January 2011, Chase has organized and facilitated more than 45 “Front Porch Forum” meetings in-person and virtually that have provided MGFOA members with the opportunity to network with other professionals and share experiences to help each other grow and thrive in the municipal finance environment. Forums are popular and have grown over the years, now taking place in multiple regions throughout the state.
Chase has worked in the accounting field for more than 44 years. His background includes nine years as a municipal auditor for two public accounting firms, Weinlander Fitzhugh and BDO Seidman; two years as controller for Dennen Steel Corp.; four years as controller/city clerk/city treasurer for City of East Grand Rapids; and 29 years as finance director for the City of Kentwood.
Chase is a graduate of Traverse City Central High School and earned his associate and bachelor’s degrees in accounting from Northwood University. He has been a certified public accountant since 1981.
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