CLEVELAND — Jim Hartley will serve as Cleveland’s interim director of the Department of Finance, as announced by Mayor Justin Bibb, as Ahmed Abonamah’s resignation is effective July 19.

A press release from the city notes that the Hartley, the assistance director in the department, has more than 25 years of experience in fiscal management. It states he had been crucial “in guiding the city through various financial challenges, particularly coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Bibb said he looks forward to working with Hartley.

“Ahmed has truly changed the way we manage the city’s budget and made long lasting improvements in just two years,” Bibb said in the release. “His leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on our organization. While I am saddened to see Ahmed go, I am immensely grateful for his dedication and contributions to our city. I thank him for his tireless work on improving the city’s finances and wish him well in his next chapter.” 

Hartley has been the assistant director of finance since 2007, according to the release. He had also previously been the chief investment officer for the state of Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Franklin University.

“With his wealth of experience, Jim is an ideal leader to continue the City’s recent financial successes and build upon them on into the future,” Abonamah said in the release.

Abonamah had been with the mayor’s administration since 2022 and said it has been an honor to work alongside his colleagues to serve the community.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished and confident that the city is poised for continued success,” he said in the release. “Since Mayor Bibb’s inauguration, the City’s financial condition has steadily improved as evidenced by consecutive structurally balanced budgets, the City’s first merit-based credit rating upgrades in decades, and record cash reserve levels. The foundation we have built is strong and is in good hands going forward."