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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF THOMAS NISSLY
WHEREAS, Thomas Nissly is retiring after serving the Chicago Botanic Garden for the past twenty-four years. During this time, he steered the Garden’s financial ship and guaranteed the financial integrity of the Garden’s operations as it grew from small to medium to large; and
WHEREAS, Tom is currently the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of the Garden. In this position, he is responsible for managing all financial affairs of the Garden, as well as directing the planning, control, and administration of the Garden's Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, and Administrative Services departments. He serves as the primary liaison to the Finance and Investment, Audit, and Personnel and Compensation Committees of the Garden's Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his obvious leadership role, he served as a mentor to countless Garden employees and volunteers throughout his tenure; and
WHEREAS, Tom has more than 38 years of experience in accounting and financial matters, specializing in issues faced by nonprofit institutions. Prior to joining the Garden in 1995, Nissly worked at Arthur Andersen LLP in Chicago, where he was one of the leaders of its Nonprofit and Healthcare Industry teams; and
WHEREAS, Tom is a recognized speaker on nonprofit and healthcare business topics. He has been an instructor at Loyola University Law School and a guest lecturer at the DePaul University Health and Public Service Management programs and the Rush University Health Systems Management program; and
WHEREAS, Tom received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Miami University and is a registered CPA. He has served on the board of directors of multiple civic organizations, including Easter Seals DuPage/Fox Valley Region, where he was formerly chairman of the board, the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, the Nonprofit Financial Center, and Infinitec West. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the American Alliance of Museums; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being the Garden’s trusted Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Tom is also the Garden’s historian, capable of instant recall on all matters of Garden history, financial and otherwise. During his long tenure, he has managed virtually every department at the Garden and, nearly every day of the week, he has walked its 385 acres; and
WHEREAS, Tom’s recall reaches back even earlier than his official employment start date in 1995. He counted the Garden among his many nonprofit clients when he helped lead Arthur Andersen’s non-profit and healthcare industry teams in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, in his retirement, Tom hopes to redirect his energy toward his beloved family. He will once again begin playing the guitar, reading British history, and extending the hours he devotes to his beloved Chicago Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks, and Bulls, while also traveling regularly, both home and abroad; and
WHEREAS, in the words of Garden Board Chairman Robert F. Finke, “No one has served the Garden with greater loyalty and distinction than Tom. For the last 24 years, Tom has been the architect who built a strong fiscal foundation that supports the Garden and secures its future for years to come. We are beyond grateful to Tom and Terry Ann (his wife) for all they have given to the Garden and for their friendship and the good times we have shared. We wish them both a wonderful and active retirement.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the life of THOMAS NISSLY, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the years of service he has given to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to THOMAS NISSLY and his family.
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