HomeMy WebLinkAboutReports - 2024.04.24 - 41169OAKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID COULTER
2100 Pontiac Lake Rd | L. Brooks Patterson Building 41W | Waterford, MI 48328 | tel (248) 858-0480 | fax (248) 452-9215 | OakGov.com
April 10, 2024
Dear Commissioners,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sheryl Johnson to our leadership team as Deputy Chief Financial
Officer.
Ms. Johnson has established an impressive record of accomplishments and excellence in more than 35 years as
an accounting professional, including the last three years in Oakland County, as Chief of Fiscal Services and
serving as Interim Deputy Chief Financial Officer.
She has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration and innovation that has set her apart as a
recognized leader in municipal finance. Ms. Johnson has served as the Director of Finance for the City of
Ferndale, Treasurer and acting Finance Director for the City of Pontiac and Director of Administrative Services
for the Pontiac Silverdome. Her experience and many talents will serve Oakland County well as she takes on the
Deputy CFO role.
Pursuant to PA 139 of 1973, I respectfully request your confirmation of this appointment.
Sincerely,
David Coulter
Sheryl H. Johnson
Accomplished and experienced executive level professional with outstanding qualifications in municipal
finance. Extensive experience in prioritizing goals and working under tight deadlines without sacrificing
accuracy or integrity. Track record of working well within budget guidelines and exceeding expectations. Able
to make sound financial decisions and communicate those to employees, Directors and various State and Local
Government officials clearly and concisely. Areas of expertise include:
•Budget Development
•Executive Leadership
•Collaborative Leadership
•Contract Negotiations
•Staff Development and
Leadership
•Progressive Thinker
•Bond Issuance
•Capital Investment Plan
Development
•Pension and OPEB Plans
•Communication with
Diverse Audiences
•State and Federal
Compliance Reporting
•Government Official Relations
•Business Relations
•Extensive Computer skills
•Strategic Planning
•Staff Coaching
•Innovative Planning
•ERP Implementation
Selected Accomplishments
•Successfully wrapped up integration of Workday, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and
worked closely with consultants to ensure accurate and timely reporting tools.
•Worked closely with multiple entities including Oakland County and Michigan State Treasurer’s office as
the City of Pontiac maneuvered Emergency Manager oversight.
•Revamped entire budget process to create Department Head buy-in and develop five-year budget
projections to assist in strategic planning, including tax revenue projections.
•Successfully negotiated time extension with Federal Agency after grant funding reporting discrepancies
were discovered, saving the government unit over $165K in grant funds.
•Created system for tracking and projecting Brownfield projects, from projected tax capture to
repayment plans. Developed guidelines for Incentives Committee to follow during TIF project
consideration. Incentives Committee member.
•Continued long tradition of AAA / aaa Bond rating for Oakland County
Civic and Professional Affiliations
•FernCare Free Clinic – Executive Board, Treasurer, Volunteer
•Michigan Government Finance Officers Association (MGFOA) – Board of Directors (2020 – 2022)
•Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) – Member
Professional Experience
08/21 to Oakland County, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford, Michigan
Present Interim Deputy Chief Financial Officer – Management & Budget (appointed October 2023)
Previously served as Fiscal Services Officer and Chief of Fiscal Services
Coordinate annual audit and annual statutory reporting, also worked closely with CFO during
budget development. Instrumental in stabilizing the ERP system, including aligning security
and reporting with County’s strategic goals. Oversee staff of 95 in Fiscal Services. Member of
the Strategic Leadership Team.
04/16 to City of Ferndale, 300 E Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, Michigan
8/21 Director of Finance
Coordinate and perform all financial accounting and treasury functions for the city. Ensure
accurate accounting of all city funds, monitor expenditures, collect taxes and other
receivables, administer accounts payable, payroll and employee benefits, oversee debt
issuance, debt repayment and risk management. Oversee annual budget process and
coordinate annual audit process, including all year-end state reporting.
07/13 to Plante Moran, 2601 Cambridge Court, Suite 500, Auburn Hills, Michigan
04/16 Government Accounting Specialist
Performed financial functions at a variety of local governmental clients, including city,
county, and k-12 clients. Functions include recording transactions in the GL; reconcile bank
accounts, water, and tax accounts; audit preparation; annual budgets and various specialized
projects as needed. Trained colleagues on nuances of property tax reconciliation.
05/06 to City of Pontiac, 47450 Woodward Avenue, Pontiac, Michigan
06/13 Positions held include: City Treasurer, Acting Finance Director & Budget Analyst.
As City Treasurer, responsible for planning, directing, and monitoring all treasury
operations of the City including revenue collection, investment and billing, development
and maintenance of worksheets, daily supervision of Treasury Staff.
As Acting Finance Director, responsible for oversight of all Finance Divisions including
Accounting, Budget, Finance Administration, Information Technology, Purchasing,
Retirement and Treasury; Liaison between State of Michigan Finance Review Team, and
the City; Review and approve all significant financial transactions; Update Mayor, City
Council and Emergency Financial Manager on all finance related issues.
As a Budget Analyst, work closely with Department Heads in preparation of annual budget
and mid-year forecasting; Review and approve payment instruments daily.
03/93 to Pontiac Silverdome,1200 Featherstone, (Department of the City of Pontiac)
05/06 Positions held include: Director of Administrative Services; Controller, Box Office
Manager, Box Office Coordinator/Accountant & Operations Office Coordinator.
As Director of Administrative Services, responsible for preparation and oversight of annual
Silverdome budget; Develop long-term financial goals; Responsible for administrative
control on event day; Financial / event liaison with national promoters; Provide executive
direction and supervision as needed.
As Controller, responsible for the daily Silverdome fiscal operations; Process and report
monthly financial statements and event settlements; Cost coordination with promoters;
Responsible for maintaining accounting and personnel systems; Coordinator for team
implementation of EBMS (event tracking software). As Box Office Manager, responsible
for overall departmental operations including all event revenue; ticket inventories, event
staffing (over 50 employees) and daily oversight of office staff.
1990 to City of Pontiac, 47450 Woodward Avenue, Pontiac, Michigan
1993 Finance Consultant (Contractual) - Involved in strategic planning of city wage and benefit
proposals and labor contract negotiations; Researched, created exhibits, and testified for
arbitration hearings; Analyzed union and city wage and benefit proposals; Computerized
charts and schedules for annual budgets.
1987 to Ernst & Young (formerly Arthur Young & Company), Detroit, Michigan
1990 Audit Para-professional - Assisted accounting staff on audit and tax engagements;
Prepared schedules, work papers, spreadsheets, and financial statements;
Prepared litigation support; Provided technical support and computer training.
Education
2000 Master of Science in Management (Graduated Summa Cum Laude)
Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration, Troy, Michigan.
1998 Public Assembly Facility Management School, Wheeling, West Virginia.
1995 Bachelor of Accountancy
Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration, Troy, Michigan.
1990 Associates of Applied Science - Accounting
Macomb Community College, Warren, Michigan.