The village of Oak Park has named Steven Drazner to serve as its new chief financial officer, according to a news release.
Drazner, who joined the village as deputy CFO last August, was chosen to serve as interim CFO in March following the departure of Craig Lesner. Lesner served in the position for nine years prior to taking the position of budget and tax research director at the Illinois Policy Institute, a Chicago-based think tank that supports limited taxation and free-market principles.
As Oak Park CFO, Drazner will manage the village’s Finance Department, which oversees financial reports, audits, purchasing, payroll, utility billing and pensions, according to the news release.
Drazner previously served as finance director in Countryside, where he oversaw the city budget, payroll and comprehensive annual financial report.
While at Countryside, Drazner established a five-year capital improvement plan and supervised information technology and assisted the human resources department with administration of its employee benefits program.
“Steve’s extensive experience and proven track record with the village made him the ideal choice to fill this important role,” said Cara Pavlicek, village manager, in the news release. “He quickly implemented important process improvements as interim CFO. We were fortunate to have had someone of Steve’s abilities already on staff when the CFO position came open. Appointing him to the role permanently was an easy decision.”
Drazner also served as an assistant finance director in Evanston and Morton Grove and was a senior accountant with the Northbrook-based CPA firm Robinson, Reinglass & Panos, Ltd., which later became Steinberg Advisors.
“Working for the village of Oak Park as deputy and then interim CFO has allowed me to expand my experience and hone my skills in a wide range of municipal finance areas,” Drazner said in the news release. “I am honored that the village manager thought enough of my work in an interim capacity to offer me the CFO role. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”
CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com
