HomeMy WebLinkAboutReports - 2024.02.29 - 41030
AGENDA ITEM: Appointment to Chief Financial Officer Position
DEPARTMENT: Executive's Office
MEETING: Board of Commissioners
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 2024 6:00 PM - Click to View Agenda
ITEM SUMMARY SHEET
COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD
Resolution #2024-3897
Motion to confirm the appointment by the Oakland County Executive of Brian Lefler to the position of
Chief Financial Officer for Oakland County, Michigan.
ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY
Appointment Gwen Markham
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
We’re pleased to let you know that Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has selected a highly
accomplished government finance professional to fill the Chief Financial Officer’s position. Brian
Lefler has been a public finance banker for more than 38 years, and a managing director at Robert
W. Baird & Co. Inc. in West Bloomfield since 2009. He has extensive experience working with state
and local units of government and their authorities, non-profits and private developers on short- and
long-term capital needs, structured financing and economic development projects.
Key to our organizational excellence goal, Brian has also maintained strong working relationships
with rating agencies Moody’s, Fitch and S&P Global.
In his current position, some of his clients include Oakland County, the Michigan Department of
Treasury, State Building Authority of Michigan, Michigan Finance Authority, Michigan State Senate,
and the cities of Allen Park, DeWitt, Flint, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Pontiac and St. Joseph and
the school district of Pontiac. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State
University and is a graduate of Groves High School in Birmingham.
Brian’s appointment will go to the Board of Commissioners for a confirmation vote later this month,
and he will start in the county’s CFO position in March. Please continue to work through Sheryl
Johnson, Interim Deputy CFO until further notice.
Thank you all for your patience as we worked through the hiring process.
April M. Lynch
she/her/hers
Deputy County Executive
Oakland County Executive David Coulter
Oakland County, Michigan
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: No
Committee members can contact Michael Andrews, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at
248.425.5572 or andrewsmb@oakgov.com or the department contact persons listed for additional
information.
CONTACT
Walt Herzig, Deputy County Executive I
ITEM REVIEW TRACKING
Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 2/29/2024
AGENDA DEADLINE: 03/10/2024 7:12 PM
ATTACHMENTS
1. Lefler BOC letter Confirm
2. Brian J Lefler - Bio Experience
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2024-02-21 Finance - Recommend to Board
2024-02-29 Full Board - Confirm
Motioned by: Commissioner Gwen Markham
Seconded by: Commissioner Robert Hoffman
Yes: David Woodward, Michael Gingell, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Kristen Nelson, Robert
Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, William Miller III,
Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Ajay Raman, Ann Erickson Gault, Linnie Taylor (16)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: Christine Long, Yolanda Smith Charles, Michael Spisz (3)
Passed
OAKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID COULTER
2100 Pontiac Lake Rd | Executive Office Building 41W | Waterford, MI 48328 | tel (248) 858-0480 | fax (248) 452-9215 | OakGov.com
Feb. 14, 2024
Oakland County Board of Commissioners
1200 Court Tower Boulevard
Pontiac, MI 48341
Dear Commissioners,
I am pleased to announce my nomination of Brian Lefler as Oakland County’s Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Lefler is a recognized leader in municipal finance, serving as a public finance banker for more than 38 years
and as a managing director at Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc since 2009.
He has extensive experience working with state and local units of government and their authorities, non-profits
and private developers on short- and long-term capital needs, structured financings and economic development
projects.
In his position at Baird, some of his clients included Oakland County, the Michigan Department of Treasury,
State Building Authority of Michigan, Michigan Finance Authority, Michigan State Senate, and the cities of Allen
Park, DeWitt, Flint, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Pontiac and St. Joseph and the school district of Pontiac.
Key to the county’s organizational excellence goal and long-standing AAA bond rating, Mr. Lefler also has
maintained strong working relationships with rating agencies Moody’s, Fitch and S&P Global.
That experience in addition to his extensive managerial skills helped him emerge as the top candidate for the
county’s CFO position.
Pursuant to PA 139 of 1973, I respectfully request your confirmation of this appointment.
Sincerely,
David Coulter
Oakland County Executive
BRIAN J. LEFLER
Page 1 of 2
EXPERIENCE
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated | Managing Director | 2009 to Present
Mentored and managed associates to serve clients in the role of a municipal advisor, underwriter,
or placement agent on tax-exempt or taxable debt using fixed rate, variable rate current interest
and capital appreciation bonds with or without credit enhancement. Extensive experience working
with state and local units of government, their authorities, higher education institutions, non-
profits, and private developers (economic development) to meet their short-term working capital
needs or long-term facility or structured financings, develop and implement strategic planning or
special projects. Assisted in the development and maintenance of an issuer’s relationship with the
credit rating agencies (Moody’s, Fitch and S&P Global). Current and past clients include, but are
not limited to:
• Michigan Department of Treasury
• State Building Authority of Michigan
• Michigan Finance Authority
• Michigan Strategic Fund
• Michigan Senate and House of Representatives
• Counties of Ingham and Oakland
• Cities of Allen Park, DeWitt, Flint, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Lansing, St. Joseph, and
Wayne
• Lansing Community College and Mid-Michigan College
• School districts, notably the Flint Community, Pontiac, Pinckney, and Romulus school
districts
Served as the chair of Baird’s associate resource group Spectrum which focused on the needs of
the LGBTQ associate and an active participant in Baird Cares by volunteering in community
programs.
Fifth Third Securities, Inc. | Managing Director | 2002 to 2009
Recruited to manage, develop, and organize a team of associates located in three Michigan offices
to serve the underwriting needs of local units of government and school districts. Utilized the
capital markets and commercial banks to purchase an issuer’s bonds or notes for traditional capital
projects or essential economic development.
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. | Senior Vice President | 1992 to 2002
Served as an originator, credit and financial analyst to underwrite bond issues to finance the facility
needs of K-12 school districts and local units of government.
Kemper Securities, Inc. | Vice President | 1991 to 1992
Served as credit and financial analyst to support managing directors to underwrite bond issues of
the State of Michigan, local units of government and K-12 school districts.
BRIAN J. LEFLER
Page 2 of 2
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. | Assistant Vice President | 1989 to 1990
Prescott, Ball and Turbin, Inc. | Associate | 1986 to 1989
Michigan Department of Treasury, Local Audit and Finance Division | Analyst | 1984 to 1986
LICENSES
Series 7 (General Securities Representative)
Series 52 (Municipal Securities Representative)
Series 50 (Municipal Advisor Representative)
SIE (Securities Industry Essentials)
Series 53 (Municipal Securities Principal)
Series 24 (General Securities Principal)
Series 54 (Municipal Advisor Principal),
Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent)
EDUCATION
Michigan State University | Bachelor of Science in Finance | 1984
Birmingham Schools (Groves High School) | 1980
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Board Member, including President of Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Co-Chair of Parents Council, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island
Chair of Parents Council, Albion College, Albion, Michigan