Grosse Pointe Farms names new finance director

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Following the departure of Grosse Pointe Farms City Controller and Treasurer Debra Peck Lichtenberg June 1, the city knew it was going to be a challenge to locate her replacement.

City Manager Shane Reeside believes he found a good candidate to fill the vacancy. At a June 13 Farms City Council meeting, he introduced city officials to Tim Rowland, the new finance director/treasurer/controller. Reeside said that locating a qualified municipal finance director was no easy task, as there’s currently a shortage of them.

“I’m very pleased,” Reeside said of Rowland, who has a strong background in his field. “I think we are really fortunate.”

Rowland has more than 14 years of municipal experience, starting in Birmingham, Reeside said. Reeside said Rowland served as the finance director of Huntington Woods for the last four years. Rowland worked for Huntington Woods for seven years, having been hired by the city in August 2015 as the assistant finance director and deputy treasurer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Oakland University.

Although the council authorized Reeside to look for Peck Lichtenberg’s successor, by ordinance, the city manager said, the council needs to approve the appointment.

The council voted unanimously in favor of naming Rowland the new finance director/treasurer/controller. Mayor Louis Theros was among those who welcomed the city’s newest administrator.

“Thank you for (bringing) me on,” Rowland said. “I just hope I can live up to the standard Debra has set for me.”

Peck Lichtenberg and her predecessor, John Lamerato, created years’ worth of detailed, award-winning, reader-friendly budgets, as well as an annual award-winning, information-packed pamphlet that sums up the city’s finances. Peck Lichtenberg, who worked for the Farms for five years, left to become the finance director in Royal Oak.