Finance Committee
Charge
Categories:
Roster
Mr. Ed Garcia
(Chair, July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026)
Sophia Sotilleo
(Executive Board Member, July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2026)
Mr. Larry P. Neal
(Treasurer, July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026)
Mr. Ed Garcia
(Member, July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2026)
Mr. George E. Gottschalk, IV
(Member, July 1, 2023, to July 31, 2026)
Mr. Tim Miller
(Member, July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2026)
Dr. Janice Newsum
(Member, July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026)
Katy O'Neill
(Member, July 1, 2023, to July 31, 2026)
Mary Rzepczynski
(Member, July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026)
Mr. Joseph A. Thompson, Jr.
(Member, July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026)
Brad Geene
(Staff Liaison, July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2025)
Michael Larson
(Staff Liaison, October 21, 2024, to June 30, 2050)
Denise Moritz
(Staff Liaison, July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2099)
Sheryl Reyes
(Staff Liaison, August 31, 2020, to December 31, 2099)
Dina Tsourdinis
(Staff Liaison, January 1, 2022, to January 2, 2050)
Displaying active committee roster as of 07/01/2025. Last retrieved on 07/13/2026. Refresh now.
Resources
Operating Principles
- Expertise-Based: Committee members selected for demonstrated financial acumen and commitment to ALA's mission
- Independent Analysis: Committee provides objective financial analysis while respecting operational management responsibilities
- Transparent Communication: Support the Treasurer in regular, accessible reporting to Council and membership on financial matters
- Strategic Focus: Budget and financial decisions evaluated through the lens of strategic priorities and long-term financial sustainability
Specific Responsibilities
Budget Review and Oversight
- Review and monitor current and proposed operating and capital budgets in the context of ALA's strategic plan, annual priorities, and core values, and assess fiscal impacts of potential ALA Council actions.
- Make evidence-based budget recommendations to the ALA Executive Board
- Review financial projections and recommend measures to build the Association's financial resources
Audit and Financial Oversight
- Recommend, communicate with, and assess the performance of external independent auditors
- Review audit findings and management responses
- Ensure that internal financial controls, accounting practices, and asset management policies are regularly reviewed and implemented. Review and make recommendations for revisions to financial policies in the ALA Policy Manual.
Endowment, Major Giving and Investment Oversight
- Review and make recommendations to the Executive Board for all withdrawals beyond the annually determined payouts from the Long-Term Investment Fund (Endowment) as outlined in ALA Policy 13.4.1 (G).
- Review and make recommendations to the Executive Board for all division transfers to the Long-Term Investment Fund (Endowment) as outlined in ALA Policy 9.5 (E).
- Review and make recommendations to the Executive Board for all revisions to the Endowment Trustees Investment Policy. Ensure alignment with ALA Bylaws and Policy Manual.
- Review and provide feedback to reports from Endowment Trustees regarding investment performance and distributions.
- Make recommendations to the Executive Board regarding Endowment Trustee and Senior Trustee appointments. The Senior Trustee is recused from this process.
- Make recommendations to the Executive Board regarding appointments to the Philanthropic Advisory Group (PAG).
Composition
The Finance Committee consists of eight (8) members:
• ALA Treasurer (ex-officio voting, serves as Chair)
• Two (2) ALA Executive Board members with demonstrated financial expertise (1 year terms, renewable)
• Three (3) ALA members with demonstrated financial expertise (staggered 3 year terms, renewable)
• One (1) non-ALA member with demonstrated financial expertise (3 year term, renewable)
• Senior Endowment Trustee (ex-officio non-voting, advisory)
• Finance Committee members may serve a maximum of six years
Staff Liaison
Dina Tsourdinis
dtsourdinis@ala.org
American Library Association
225 N Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
