Randy Harrington grew up in western Nebraska and was a self-described government geek in high school. He always wanted to work in the public sector, and that is what he has done in his career, including his current role as CFO and director of management and financial services for the city of Charlotte.
“I know it sounds corny, but it really is exciting to see the difference (government) makes in the community,” he says.
The past year has been taxing for city government and Harrington in particular. In September, his boss, City Manager Ron Carlee, charged him with consolidating the five finance-related city departments to improve their efficiency. By January, Harrington, with considerable help from colleagues, finished one of the city’s largest reorganization projects in 20 years.
His reward? Calling on many of the city’s 299 finance-related employees through much of the first half of the year to help solve a budget gap of $22 million. Carlee and City Council members spent much of the spring considering an endless series of scenarios to get the budget in balance. Each iteration required Harrington and his team to do an analysis to guide council members. The resulting $2.1 billion budget passed on June 9.
“Budget season is always intense,” Harrington says. “It always involves extra hours. But it’s an exciting arena to be in to help the council.”
Harrington became budget director in 2012 when his boss was promoted.
Married with three children, ages 9, 7 and 3, Harrington acknowledges the tension of balancing work with family time. But, he proudly notes, he has a perfect attendance record for his kids’ performances and various activities, including a recent Cub Scout sleepover in the outfield at BB&T BallPark with his 9-year-old son.
What do you do with the budget finished?
We’ve already started thinking about next year. You’re constantly in that mode. The budget cycle keeps going.
What is your typical day like?
It can vary, but it’s always a lot of planning, a lot of meetings. I meet with the city manager as part of his executive team. And there are always council priorities — questions from council members who are having district meetings and need information. There is a lot of planning down the road — six months, nine months, a year. And working on the council meeting agendas — that’s very important.
How do you manage family and work?
Early in my years as a parent, I heard the following great piece of advice: Co-workers will never remember the time when you missed a meeting at work, but your child will forever remember the time when you missed an important event in their life.
