Mayor Megan Barry has announced the appointment of Talia Lomax-O’dneal to be Metro Nashville’s Director of Finance, overseeing a roughly $2 billion budget and protecting the interests of taxpayers through sound fiscal management practices.
“Talia is a first-rate public finance administrator, and I can’t think of a better person to fill this extremely important role,” said Mayor Barry. “She will be a critical member of my administration, advising me on our city’s financial opportunities and helping me determine how to pay for our priorities.”
Lomax-O’dneal was appointed as acting Director of Finance in September 2015, prior to which she served as Deputy Finance Director, where her primary responsibilities included preparation and monitoring of Metro’s operating and capital budgets. She has worked extensively in the field of finance in the public and private sector for more than 25 years, 15 of which have been in the Metro Finance Department.
She has received numerous leadership and professional awards for her work. She is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) and a Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO). She is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of Government Accountants. Talia received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and is an alumna of the Tennessee Government Executive Institute.
“I want to thank Mayor Barry for this opportunity and for her faith in me to do this job for the city I love,” said Lomax-O’dneal. “I look forward to serving the mayor and the citizens of Nashville and doing my part to make this an even better place to live.”
The appointment of Lomax-O’dneal represents two historic firsts for Metro Nashville: She will be the first woman and the first African American to serve as Metro finance director.
The appointment of Lomax-O’dneal will be submitted for approval by the Metro Council at the October 20 meeting.
“I’m excited about the chance to put together an administration that looks like Nashville, a team made up of the best and the brightest, full of people who understand what the city needs and how it works,” said Barry.
