Towamencin Finance Director Adam Szumski, left, and township Manager David Kraynik discuss the township’s draft 2024 budget during the Nov. 8, 2023 supervisors meeting. (Screenshot of meeting video)
LOWER MERION — Lower Merion Township will soon have a new head of its finance department.
This week, the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners appointed Adam Szumski as the township’s chief financial officer.
Township manager Ernie McNeely nominated Szumski for the post, which was then approved by the 14-member board of commissioners.
According to McNeely, Szumski rose to the top of the more than three dozen qualified candidates.
“Adam is one of 38 candidates we had for this position who met some or all the qualifications,” McNeely told the commissioners. “He has gone through a multi-interview process that we typically conduct for senior staff, and it is our conclusion that he is the most qualified candidate for the position and, therefore, the nomination here tonight.”
McNeely said the township works on the upcoming year’s budget beginning in July and August, so Szumski will be on staff the entire time.
Szumski began his financial career as a budget analyst for Luzerne County before transitioning to consulting work with Tyler Technologies. Tyler Technologies provides accounting, financial reporting, and other business software.
He then did consultant work with HJA Strategies, which merged with the Pennsylvania Economy League. As a senior analyst with the Pennsylvania Economy League, Szumski consulted with Pennsylvania and New Jersey municipalities, helping to assess municipal operations and develop long-range financial plans and projections.
Much of this work was directed at helping communities in fiscal distress develop fiscal recovery plans. This work required presenting policy options and recommendations to elected and appointed officials.
Szumski’s most recent position was as the finance director for Towamencin Township.
“Here, he is responsible for all township financial activities, budgeting, payroll, financial reporting, compliance with applicable regulations, and investments. He has extensive knowledge of the myriad of financial requirements that are imposed on local government by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as various grant programs,” according to the staff memo to the commissioners.
Szumski has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
Commissioner Scott Zelov said he believes Szumski has the skills and interest to take on a bigger job.
“He has big shoes to fill, but he has been selected by our manager, and our manager has done so expeditiously and, as he said, in time for the budget process, which is one of the most important things we embark on,” Zelov said.
Zelov said although Szumski doesn’t live in Lower Merion, he is very close since he lives in Haverford Township.
After the final vote, Todd Sinai, board president, welcomed Szumski to the township.
“We are delighted to have you join us … I think we all view this as a very exciting township,” Sinai said. “We’re delighted to have an exciting and energetic CFO join us. There’s lots of great stuff that we’re doing here, and it’s just terrific to have someone with your background, and your qualifications, and your interest join us, so we look forward to working with you.”
Lower Merion’s former chief financial officer, Eric Traub, recently left the township after being named township manager in Whitpain Township.
With the recommendation for approval from the commissioners during their Administrative and Human Resources Committee meeting and the later confirmation during the special board meeting, Szumski will begin his term as Chief Financial Officer for Lower Merion on July 8.
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