City of New Bedford auditor Robert Ekstrom to serve as Acting Chief Financial Officer

Mayor Jon Mitchell has appointed current City Auditor Robert Ekstrom to serve as Acting Chief Financial Officer beginning May 16, 2021. Mr. Ekstrom will replace outgoing Chief Financial Officer Ari J. Sky, who departs May 15; Ekstrom will continue to oversee operations of the Auditor’s Office.

Mr. Ekstrom has served as City Auditor since 2014. He is a certified public accountant and previously worked for ten years with the City of Newport, R.I., primarily as City Treasurer and Deputy Finance Director. He has also held positions in the private sector and with the federal government.

Mr. Sky will provide support during the transition, including during the Fiscal Year 2022 budget development process. Further announcements regarding the City’s transition to a permanent Chief Financial Officer will be made in the future.

Mr. Sky has served as New Bedford’s first Chief Financial Officer since 2013. During his tenure, he has professionalized the City’s financial operations, and the City’s bond rating is at the highest in its history. He resigned in order to accept a new position as a municipal manager.