Christie Jordan
Christie Jordan, chief financial officer for the Hamilton County Schools for the past 29 years, announced her retirement at the end of the 2017-2018 school year but stayed with the district as a replacement search was conducted for her position. Ms. Jordan will now retire at the end of the 2018-2019 school year as Brent Goldberg, a local finance professional, has joined Hamilton County Schools to transition into the finance leadership role.
Ms.
Jordan got her start in education finance with Chattanooga Public Schools before the merger of the city and county systems. During her time in finance for the district, she represented Hamilton County Schools as the state president of the Tennessee Association of School Business Officials, and national vice president of the American Society of Women Accountants.
“I feel fortunate to have a career that enabled me to serve Hamilton County Schools and the children of our community, and I am happy to know the school system is in great shape and on a positive trajectory for the future,” said Ms. Jordan.
Ms. Jordan is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor, and a graduate of the University of Alabama. She is a past winner of the National A.T. Cross Woman of Achievement.
Mr. Goldberg, a product of Hamilton County Schools and experienced in local government and finance operations, will join Hamilton County Schools to continue the tradition of strong fiscal management for the district. During the transition period, he will fill an open position in the finance department. Mr. Goldberg comes to Hamilton County Schools from Lee-Smith, Inc., Lync America, LLC, and Idealease of Chattanooga where he served as the chief financial officer and vice president. He was responsible for accounting and finance for the companies as well as management of day-to-day operations for Lync America.
“I am honored to have the privilege to serve the children and families of Hamilton County Schools,” Mr. Goldberg said. “Nothing in our community is more important than education, and I am excited to join a fantastic team working to make Hamilton County Schools the fastest improving school district in Tennessee.”
Mr. Goldberg previously served as the chief operating officer for the city of Chattanooga. He was responsible for daily operations of economic and community development, youth and family development, public works, transportation, fire, finance, human resources, information technology, purchasing, budgeting for outcomes, and performance management. Goldberg also served as a director of the Chattanooga Fire and Police Pension Fund board.
Mr. Goldberg served as director of finance and operations for the Public Education Foundation (PEF) in Chattanooga. His experience also includes work with U.S. Express Enterprises, and he has five years of experience as a senior auditor and business consultant with Hazlett, Lewis and Beiter, PLLC in Chattanooga, Kraft CPAs in Nashville, and Reznick Group in Bethesda, Md.
Mr. Goldberg is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Transportation Broker. He earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) where he has also served as an adjunct instructor.
Mr. Goldberg attended Hamilton County Schools at Lakeside Elementary, Brown Middle School, and Central High School. His school-aged children also attend Hamilton County Schools. He is active in the community as a member of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, serves as treasurer and is a founding board member of the Tivoli Theatre Foundation, treasurer for CGCA ’06 Girls Elite soccer team, and president of Horse Creek Farms HOA. He previously was treasurer and president of Normal Park Museum Magnet PTA and Education Fund, served as a member of the board of directors for the Chambliss Center for Children, was a member of the board of directors for the Chattanooga Zoo, served as a board member and treasurer of The Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies, and served on the Ronald McDonald House Children’s Festival Committee.
As Hamilton County Schools moves into the budget cycle preparing for the presentation of the 2020 Fiscal Year Budget, Ms. Jordan and Mr. Goldberg will work together to develop the budget and ensure a smooth transition of financial responsibilities. “Having someone local taking the reins of the business operations of the school system will be very beneficial for Hamilton County Schools,” Ms. Jordan said. Mr. Goldberg will take over the position of chief financial officer for Hamilton County Schools upon Mr. Jordan’s retirement in June.
“It will be an invaluable experience to work alongside Christie Jordan,” Mr. Goldberg added. “Christie’s dedication to Hamilton County Schools is unparalleled, and we are very fortunate to have the ability to complete a deliberate and strategic transition over the coming weeks and months.”
Brent Goldberg