NORTH BRUNSWICK – The tables have turned for the newest employee in North Brunswick, though it is just what she hoped for: previously the township auditor, Cavel Gallimore is now instated as the town’s chief financial officer (CFO).
Gallimore began her new position on Jan. 14. She had worked as a financial auditor for the Division of Local Government Services, reviewing and appraising budgets for local governments, fire districts and authorities, while also auditing grants for compliance with regulations.
She coincidentally helped North Brunswick roll out its FAST budget for Fiscal Year 2019, years after she was part of the team at Hodulik & Morrison, the township auditor, for seven years.
“We asked Cavel to be the examiner for the budget which was still unchartered territory [for us]. To know someone who has familiarity or knows the finances of this town is just great,” assistant Business Administrator Justine Progebin said.
Gallimore said she was on the verge of taking CFO classes when she found out current CFO Kala Sriranganathan was preparing to retire.
“This was just a great opportunity that came at the right time,” she said.
Gallimore will now be responsible for all financial aspects of the daily operations of the town – such as collecting revenue, doing payroll and tax collection.
“I’ve known most of the people here from being the auditor so it’s exciting working with the team here. They pride themselves on doing a great job … so it’s an honor to be here and be part of North Brunswick,” she said. “They’ve all welcomed me, every department. The directors have been so supportive.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Cavel to North Brunswick,” Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said. “She is a familiar face to our community, having worked with the township in the past when she served as a municipal auditor and when she was a budget examiner for the state.”
“Given the previous roles Cavel has been in, we take it as a compliment to our financial practices that she selected North Brunswick as a model community when she was ready to make a change in her career to CFO,” Business Administrator Kathryn Monzo said. “It’s a role I once held, as a CFO myself, and so I can attest based on what I know of Cavel and of the position that we will see great things from her.”
Sriranganathan began her career with the City of New Brunswick as a part-time clerk in 1991 and was promoted to payroll supervisor shortly thereafter. After a couple of years, she was promoted again to a senior accountant assisting the CFO. She then moved to Irvington Township as an assistant comptroller and served for three years there before moving on to Franklin Township for one year as an assistant CFO.
“I started working as a part-time accounts payable clerk [in North Brunswick] in 2001 to accommodate the needs of my youngest daughter who was just starting preschool. In 2002, a payroll position became available and I took that opportunity as I had prior experience in payroll and was looking for more responsibility. In 2003, I was promoted to the position of senior accountant and then in 2008, I was appointed as acting CFO before being appointed as CFO in 2009,” she said.
Sriranganathan said her co-workers in the Finance Department “became my second family through the 17 years we worked together in North Brunswick.
“We developed and evolved as a team as the township grew and changed over the years, and bonded over the common goal of excelling at our duties.
“I also enjoyed working as a team with the administration, directors and employees of the township who worked very closely with the Finance Department with the common goal of achieving the best outcome for its community,” she said.
Sriranganathan said one of her staff members always joked that the team would make an excellent comedy series that would rival “The Office” and could be titled “The Finance Department”.
“Now that I am retiring, that does seem like a great idea! Let’s go for it. I still want to play the lead role as the CFO – sorry Cavel,” she joked.
Sriranganathan also said she is appreciative of the mayor and Township Council for their support and trust in her ability to perform her duties as CFO for the past 10 years.
“I worked very hard to ensure the township’s finances would be as transparent and accurate as possible, while raising two children and also battling Crohn’s disease, which had become even more challenging for me in recent years. Their support and trust enabled all of my work and commitments to the township to be achievable and enjoyable,” she said. “I was very fortunate to have such talented mayor and council to serve during my tenure.”
Sriranganathan said her post-retirement plans, right now, are to relax and spend more time with her husband and children.
“Kala has been very dedicated to serving the public and truly cares about this community,” Womack said. “[S]he will definitely be missed.”
“Kala is a humble and reserved professional, has never wanted recognition for her efforts in North Brunswick’s sound financial position,” Monzo said, “but she has been instrumental in advising the mayor and council over the years on fiscal policies that delivered to our residents a stable and predictable municipal levy.”
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].