Daisy Madison, the city of Chattanooga’s longtime chief financial officer, will wrap up her career this year as she begins her transition into retirement, she told senior staff Monday.
Former mayor Gene Roberts hired Madison as deputy chief finance officer in 1992. She served under a succession of mayors, including Jon Kinsey, Bob Corker, Ron Littlefield, Andy Berke and Tim Kelly.
“I didn’t think of it as a job; I looked at it as my opportunity to contribute to the city in which I live,” Madison says. “Because I was serving my community, it was important for me to do the best job I could, and that I do it professionally and with the highest standards of honesty and integrity.”
As senior staff arrived and departed under each new administration, Madison rose through the ranks. She was named city treasurer in 2002 and elevated to chief financial officer and administrator of the Finance and Administration department in 2005. There she continued to serve under each new mayor.
As the technology her department used changed and administrations came and went, one thing remained the same: Madison and her staff kept the city on solid financial footing.
“The one thing I want people to know about the government is that the people who work for this city are loyal, dedicated individuals who work hard and care about the residents of this community,” Madison says.
Madison says she’s proudest of her work creating additional accountability and transparency around how funds are collected and spent at the city, as well as her award-winning annual reports that help residents better understand the inner workings of their local government.
For her efforts, Madison and the city were awarded the Government Finance Officers Association certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting, as well as the award for distinguished budget presentation.
In addition, Madison has been recognized for her work upgrading and maintaining the city’s AAA bond rating, which both saves taxpayer money and ensures that more resources flow to city services instead of debt service.
“I was thrilled when Daisy agreed to stay on through our first budget and the reorganization of government, but the loss of such an experienced and talented financial manager is going to sting,” Mayor Kelly says. “Our community has long been blessed by Daisy’s calm competence, her composure under fire and her enduring kindness to those around her.
“On behalf of a grateful city, I thank her for her service and salute her on such a dignified conclusion to her career.”
Madison previously served as a staff auditor for the U.S. Government Accountability Office, worked at accounting firm Arthur Anderson & Co., and was internal audit manager for Hamilton County Government, as well as director of financial management for Hamilton County for nearly 15 years.
Kelly’s current chief of staff, Brent Goldberg, will assume the duties of chief financial officer moving forward.
As CFO, Goldberg will manage an expanded portfolio that includes the Finance & Administration, Purchasing, Treasury and Grants & Opportunities departments and teams.
Goldberg is a certified public accountant who previously served as chief business officer for Hamilton County Schools. Before that role, he served as executive VP and CFO of Lync Logistics, chief financial officer for the Public Education Foundation, chief operating officer of the city of Chattanooga and director of accounting at U.S. Xpress, and was a senior auditor at a number of accounting firms.
Joda Thongnopnua, who currently serves as Mayor Kelly’s chief policy officer, will serve as interim chief of staff during the transition.
Source: Office of the Mayor