Lombard selects new director of finance

Don't let Tim Sexton's gray hair fool you.

Lombard's newly named finance director sees the years ahead for himself and for the village as bright.

"This is a great time for this job," said Sexton, a 33-year-old Elk Grove Village resident.

Sexton previously worked for four years as Lombard's assistant finance director. Before that, he spent four years as the village's accountant.

He says Lombard financially is strong in the wake of a recent non-home rule sales tax increase and new businesses, including the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center hotel, coming into the village.

"As far as challenges ahead, I'd say prioritizing what's next," Sexton said. "We can't do everything. It will be up to the village board to set the priorities."

Technology upgrades may be the next challenge for the village to meet, Sexton said.

"With the financial stress we had three to four years ago, a lot of technology updates were put off," Sexton said. "Now we're trying to catch up in some departments."

Much of the credit for the village's current status should go to former finance director, Len Flood, who served in that position for 16 years.

During a ceremony for the opening of the Westin, which is funded through village bonds, Village President William Mueller said Flood was vital in making the project a reality.

"Len was really great," Sexton said. "He provided a lot of guidance. He was a believer in hands-on experience. His favorite thing to say was, 'Handle it.' "

Sexton said that he will take that advice to heart.