Pa Thao Named Finance Director

In just two years, Thao has Climbed the Ranks to Become the Department’s Next Director

It’s not often that Assistant Finance Director Pa Thao backs down from a challenge. So, when she was approached about becoming the next Director of the Finance Department after just two years with the City,  it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

Thao graduated in 2010 from Concordia University in St. Paul with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. Thao interned with the State Department of Transportation as an undergrad before transferring to the Department of Human Services (DHS) once she completed her studies. For three years, she worked heavily in grant accounting with the DHS until taking her first job in local government at the City of Brooklyn Park. She then transitioned to Abdo Financial Solutions as a consultant for local municipalities until taking an opening with the City of Edina’s Finance Department.

Relying on her expertise in finance related to local municipalities, Thao excelled in her role as an Auditing and Accounting Coordinator with Edina, which led to her internal promotion to Assistant Finance Director just 10 months after being hired. A month before celebrating her two-year anniversary with the City, Thao was selected to succeed Alisha McAndrews as the next Director of Edina’s Finance Department.

McAndrews has been working remotely in Idaho for a year and a half as her husband took a new job in the state. She resigned after two years with the City as her family made the decision to permanently relocate.

The Finance Director acts as the strategic head of the team, whose primary responsibilities include managing the City’s cash flow and investments, updating policy, and providing oversight to ensure the needs of all clients – both internal and external – are being met.  The Finance Department is comprised of seven staff members and includes the Utility Billing Division.

With an official start date of Feb. 1, Thao’s first order of business will be filling two major job vacancies in Utility Billing and Accounting to evenly distribute the department’s workload. Additionally, residents can expect to see finance projects related to the expansion of Braemar Arena and construction of a new Fire Station 2.

“Pa’s depth of experience in local government finance makes her a great leader for the Finance Department … she has quickly gained the trust and respect of the finance team and other City staff,” McAndrews said when describing her time working with Thao. “She is super sharp, thoughtful, organized.”

“Pa is personable and people like working for and with her. She is a good role model for her team,” said City Manager Scott Neal, who offered Thao the promotion in November.

Thao is excited to bring enthusiasm to her new role, which she said, “brings meaning and fulfillment to her job.”  She credits her Finance Director at Brooklyn Park, Cory Kampf, for inspiring her to be passionate, fun and professional about working in government finance. “Edina is a great city. The tone from the top down resonates that the City truly values their employees, and you can tell they truly care.”

For more information on the Finance Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/Finance.