Community Action’s new CFO brings lots of business, finance expertise

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Tom Costa chats with Community Action’s executive director Renee Hungerford during his first week as the organization’s new chief financial officer.

ALBION – Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, has announced that Tom Costa has joined the organization as the new chief financial officer.

Costa brings a broad range of business, finance and technical experience, Hungerford said.

He grew up in Rochester until his family moved to Hamlin when he was 12. He graduated from Brockport High School and went on to earn a bachelor of science in business administration/finance and a master’s degree in business administration. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in business administration.

Costa, a Churchville resident, most recently served as CFO at Normal Communications since 2003.

“His wealth of experience will be extremely valuable as we transition into our new accounting system,” Hungerford said.

Community Action’s finance and payroll team, which includes Danielle Riches, Barb Kieffer and Debbie Schiavone, will report directly to Costa.

Costa said his relationship with Community Action goes back to when he was a child and a friend’s mother worked there. He used to come to Albion and play basketball at Bullard Park.

His decision to accept the position at Community Action came about when he realized his boss at Normal Communications was getting close to retirement.

“I always wanted to work for a non-profit,” Costa said. “I thought this might be an interesting job, so I applied.”

He said his goals in his new position are to get systems and policies in place that are more efficient.

“Tom is going to be a key player in implementing our new accounting system, which will bring us more accurate reporting and budgeting,” Hungerford said. “That will allow program managers to better manage their spending, which will give me the rudders to better steer the ship.”

She said when they strategize, then they build, stop the bleeding, heal the wound and strengthen the agency.

Costa said when he earns his PhD, he will be able to teach personal finance courses and marketing courses.

“If there are ways I can help in communication, that’s a good thing,” Costa said. “Orleans County needs more entrepreneurs in business. When people see that, they want to come and invest in our county.”

Hungerford said she was excited when Costa indicated an interest in the job at Community Action.

“I almost didn’t call him back,” she said. “I was very concerned he wouldn’t want to make the drive out here. After talking to him on the phone, we realized we have a lot in common and a lot of the same goals for this agency. We are both musicians and play saxophone and guitar. I knew pretty quickly I was going to make him an offer.”