WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. October 6, 2008 UPDATED October 7, 12:30 A.M. EDT: Melissa Lopez, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office confirmed today that David Birdsall has started today in the post of Budget Director, subject to approval of the Common Council. Lopez said Mr. Birdsall is reporting to the Mayor and working with Gina Cuneo-Harwood, the City Finance Commissioner and according to the Personnel Department is on the payroll as of today.

Ms. Lopez released this statement about Mr. Birdsall who comes to White Plains from the private sector with extensive experience in corporate finance. The statement:

"David E. Birdsall has more than 20 years of extensive corporate and  financial management experience. In his previous capacity as  Director of Finance for Guy Carpenter & Company,  a leading financial service firm, David was responsible for all aspects  of the global finance function and management of a staff of more than 100 employees worldwide. 

David has a  proven record of accomplishment as a business partner and trusted advisor. He has developed and implemented successful business strategy which resulted in industry-leading profitability. David is expert in the areas of financial planning, reporting and analysis; financial systems; finance transformation; forecasting and modeling as well as strategic and tactical planning.

David received his Master's of Business Administration Degree in finance, awarded with high honors, from Pace University in White Plains, NY. Mayor Jospeh M. Delfino welcomes David with full confidence that his experience in the private sector will spur further success as  Budget Director of the City of White PLains."

Lopez noted that Mr. Birdsall’s appointment will not be voted on this evening.

The Common Council made it a policy issue that the city needed a budget director as a second check on city finances. The post has been vacant since Ann Reasoner left the post in June 2006.