Brian J. Lefler, formerly managing director of Robert W. Baird & Co., was appointed chief financial officer for Oakland County. Lefler begins his new role immediately.
“Brian has extensive experience working with non-profits, private developers, and state and local governments including Oakland County,” says Dave Coulter, executive of Oakland County. “That expertise will allow him to look beyond the mere day-to-day numbers of Oakland County’s budget and strategically plan for the priorities of the next decade.”
Prior to joining Baird in 2009, where Lefler worked with the Michigan Department of Treasury, the state Legislature, Oakland and Ingham counties, cities in Wayne County, community colleges, and school districts including Pontiac, he was managing director of Fifth Third Securities for seven years aiding local governments and school districts with economic development projects and issuing bonds.
Other positions he held over the years include senior vice president for A.G. Edwards & Sons from 1992-2002, vice president of Kemper Securities from 1991-1992, assistant vice president at A.G. Edwards & Sons from 1898-1990, associate at Prescott, Ball and Turbin from 1986-1989, and analyst for the Michigan Treasury Department in the Local Audit and Finance Division from 1984-1986.
Lefler, who lives in the Lansing area but will be relocating to Oakland County where he grew up, has several securities licenses including in municipal securities. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Michigan State University in East Lansing and is a 1980 graduate of Birmingham Groves High School.
