Title
Resolution honoring the service of Gary Gordon, Finance and Administrative Services Director.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, for more than 15 years, Gary Gordon has provided exceptional leadership and financial savvy, and the highest commitment to ethics and integrity at Lake County; and
WHEREAS, having earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago, Gary was hired in October 2002 as the Director of Management and Budget with the County Administrator’s Office; and
WHEREAS, Gary was immediately entrusted to lead monumental projects to enhance Lake County’s financial operations. He successfully implemented the County’s Oracle Financial System, which centralized financial, purchasing and reporting, as well as grant functions from all County departments for the first time. This system has allowed the County to drive efficiencies, manage risk, and produce a fiscally responsible budget year after year; and
WHEREAS, Gary’s professionalism, attention to details and management style led him to be Lake County’s first Director of Finance and Administrative Services in 2006, which increased the scope of his duties to include oversight of the Finance, Construction, Purchasing, Facilities, and Support Services divisions; and
WHEREAS, it’s not uncommon to see a whiteboard with the “Gordon Gut Check Double Check,” a mantra for his team, which simplifies complex financial concepts to make sure projects are understandable and make logistical sense; and
WHEREAS, Gary was instrumental in helping guide Lake County through one of the largest recessions in American history, helping create the Accelerated Retirement Option program, which provided employees a fair option to consider retirement while saving the County millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, under Gary’s leadership, the County has constructed nearly $220 million in building projects, including the Lake County Courthouse Expansion Project, the Robert W. Depke Juvenile Complex Center expansion, the Central Permit Facility, the Lake County Health Department Grand Avenue Health Center, and the Lake County Administrative Tower remodeling; and
WHEREAS, Lake County’s reputation for being fiscally strong and making prudent, data-driven financial decisions is directly associated with Gary’s efforts. Lake County has maintained a AAA credit rating from both major credit agencies through his tenure; and
WHEREAS, Gary has been committed to providing all businesses an opportunity to work with Lake County, creating Lake County’s Buy Local, Build Local, Work Local and Job Order Contracting (JOC) programs to connect county businesses, including women and minority businesses with government procurement opportunities. Through the JOC program, 60 percent of money has been spent with local contractors, and 29 percent of the hours performed have been by minority workers since June of 2014; and
WHEREAS, Gary has given back to the community by serving as President of the Lincolnshire Prairie View School District Board of Education from 2007-2017, coaching the Daniel Wright Junior High School Science Olympiad team, and being a national trainer for the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), promoting excellence in state and local government financial management; and
WHEREAS, Gary has worked with more than 30 department heads, 50 board members, and a countless number of employees, and has served as a role model for honesty, professionalism and dedication; and
WHEREAS, Gary Gordon has earned the admiration and respect of his peers, staff, supervisors, and County Board members for his dedication, professionalism, and hard work.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, on behalf of the Lake County Board, County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor does hereby thank Gary Gordon for his tremendous devotion, leadership, and ethical integrity at Lake County, and wishes him the best at his new position with the Shedd Aquarium.
Dated, at Waukegan, Illinois, on April 10, 2018.