The New York Annual Conference Announces Incoming Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services, Lonnie Chafin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

The New York Annual Conference Announces Incoming Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services, Lonnie Chafin

The New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (NYAC) is pleased to announce that The Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) has retained Lonnie Chafin to assume the role of Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services, effective October 2, 2023. 

This new hire comes after an extensive nationwide search aimed at securing a candidate with solid experience, a deep understanding of the United Methodist Church, and the business acumen needed to serve as the NYAC’s chief source of advice and information on fiscal management and the professional application of all accounting principles.

Those involved in the search process rest assured Chafin is the right choice, made at the right time. 

“I am thrilled that Lonnie has agreed to become our new Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services,” Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, Resident Bishop of the New York Annual Conference, says. “After such a long search, we believe that we have found the person who will work with us to solidify our Finance Department and bring creativity and insight to the work of our Conference Center and Cabinet. “Lonnie brings years of impressive experience as well as a creative spirit and strategic mind.  He will be a great member of our team. I am so pleased to welcome him to New York.”

CF&A President, Rev. Jason Radmacher, echoes this sentiment: "Talking with Lonnie about the future of the Church inspires me,” he confides. “His sense of calling, depth of experience, and creativity really impressed me during the interview process. I'm so happy that he'll be bringing these and so many more gifts to the NYAC.”

A lifelong Methodist, Chafin comes to the role with a high degree of respect and deep regard throughout the denomination. He has served as Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services for the Northern Illinois Annual Conference since 1999. A University of Virginia School of Architecture graduate, Chafin went on to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with honors from the esteemed University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 

He was elected as Northern Illinois representative to the General Conference in 2004, 2012, 2016, and 2020. In addition, he is the current Treasurer for the North Central Jurisdiction, (2016 – present) and current Treasurer of the Board for the General Board of Church and Society (2012 – present). Chafin has also served on The Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church (2004 – 2008) and as President of National Association of Conference Treasurers in 2012. 

Chafin modestly confides that he is more than ready for this latest journey, noting an excitement based on conversations that revealed a true commitment within the NYAC to explore and begin living into the next expression of Methodism. “In conversations with Bishop Bickerton and others in the Conference, I heard a whisper of calling in those talks. I’ve known of the talent and competence of the NYAC finance team and the wonderfully rich diversity of the NYAC. I’m very excited to participate in crafting this common future.”

The NYAC Search Committee worked tirelessly to locate an exceptional candidate, CF&A’s Radmacher explains, adding that he is "thankful for the search committee (Paul Lang, chairperson) and Sally Truglia, NYAC Human Resources and Benefits Manager, for remaining steadfast throughout the intensive interview process and staying committed to finding the right person to join the NYAC team.

Rev. Radmacher is quick to add a "huge thank you" to NYAC Controller Laure Millot and the small and highly-nimble finance team who tirelessly stood in the gap while the search was underway.

"As a Conference, we're indebted to Laure Milliot and the Finance Department who steadied our administrative ship while the search team did its work."

About the New York Annual Conference: 

The New York Annual Conference is a regional unit of United Methodist churches and people. The conference includes all of Long Island, New York City, Connecticut west of the Connecticut River and an area on both sides of the Hudson River as far west as Walton and as far north as Chatham and North Blenheim. More than 100,000 people belong to the some 430 United Methodist congregations in this area.

Media Contact: 

Lisa Isom
Director of Communications - New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
914-651-2218 
communications@nyac.com