WEST LINN – The City of West Linn is pleased to announce the hiring of Richard Seals as West Linn’s new Finance Director. Mr. Seals will begin employment with the City on October 17, 2008. Mr. Seals joins the City of West Linn from the City of Lake Oswego, where he has been employed for almost ten years as Lake Oswego’s Finance Director.
As the West Linn Finance Director, Seals will report directly to City Manager Chris Jordan. “I don’t believe there’s a better municipal finance director in the state of Oregon than Richard Seals. I consider it a real tribute to the management team we’ve built here at the City of West Linn that we now are able to attract an individual of Richard’s caliber for this position,” said Jordan about the hiring of Mr. Seals.
Mr. Seals joined the City of Lake Oswego in February 1999 and was promoted to Finance Director in April 2002. Prior to joining the City of Lake Oswego, Mr. Seals was the Controller for the Oregon State Lottery. He received undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Information Systems Management as well as a Masters in Business Administration from California State University East Bay (Hayward, CA). After completing his graduate program in 1986, Mr. Seals accepted employment with the then big-eight international accounting firm, PriceWaterhouse. He obtained his California CPA designation in 1989 and his Oregon CPA designation in 1990.
Mr. Seals keeps current on three professional licenses: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified in Financial Management. He is an active member of the following professional finance organizations: AICPA, OSCPA, GFOA, OMFOA, IMA, and PRIMA. In his spare time, he volunteers as the treasurer for the local Rotary Club and holds one of the elected citizen positions with the Clackamas County Audit Committee.
"I am very excited about the opportunities and challenges before me with the City of West Linn. Being good stewards of the taxpayers' monies is a Finance Director's main focus, but that alone is not enough. I strive for developing healthy partnerships with the community, being transparent with the City finances, and looking for cost efficiencies in all City operations. I look forward to joining the West Linn city team, engaging with the community, and taking part in those accomplishments that are sure to come," said Seals of his new role with the City of West Linn.
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