Matthew Lue – COMO Magazine

Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer

job description

The Treasury Director serves as the City of Columbia Chief Financial Officer and financial policy advisor to the City Manager as set out in the City Charter. Responsibilities include running the finance department by overseeing financial planning, budgeting, purchasing, bookkeeping, pensions, and other financial management functions of the city.

Professional background

I began my career in 2005 as an administrative intern for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. In 2006, I was hired as a full-time accountant, promoted to treasury accountant, and eventually promoted to treasury analyst. After my MBA degree, I was hired by the city of Warrensburg as Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer in 2015. In November 2019, I was hired as the City of Columbia’s Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer.

Hometown

Kansas City, Missouri.

Lived in Colombia for years

2 years.

Quote by which you live

“If you don’t make mistakes, you don’t work hard enough on problems.” – Frank Wilczek.

Preferred volunteer / community activity

Boy Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Current favorite project

Create an ever-changing budget document for the city.

Columbia businessman you admire and why?

Greg DeLine. He was the first to approach me when I was selected for my position and he has a really great backstory.

Why you love your job

Because I am a firm believer in how our city manages tax money. I can teach others everything I have learned about finance and accounting, and I am also constantly learning from others.

Why you are enthusiastic about your company

I love the City of Columbia because there are so many opportunities to do good and make change. I love that I can help make the city a better place by offering transparency and learning opportunities to anyone interested in city business.

If you weren’t doing this for a living, you would

Be a cook and own a restaurant.

What you should know about your job

People should know and learn what taxes they pay, where their tax money goes and who benefits from them.

The next challenge for your industry

Public authorities now have to compete with the private sector for employees. In the past, government jobs relied on great advantages to attract potential candidates. We are now in a place and time where actual salaries are more important than benefits to the majority of the job pool.

Your next professional goal

To get a PhD.

The greatest lesson in business

Be transparent with your stakeholders.

How you would like to influence the Columbia community

Build some confidence in the community that the city is doing the right thing with taxpayer dollars.

Greatest strength

To trust.

Biggest weakness

Provided people will do the right thing.

What do you do to have fun

Travel with my family. Our goal is to visit all 50 states.

family

I have a wife, Mrs. Alfreda Lue, and two wonderful children: Marcel Lue, who is in college and Adrianna Lue, who is in high school.

Favorite place in Colombia

Stephens Lake Park.

Achievement you are most proud of

Be a father.

Most people don’t know you

Participated in the American Royal BBQ competition.