Bath’s new fiscal officer has the right credentials

by Sheldon Ocker

Gregory Thewes released a booming laugh when reminded that he is not a household name in Bath Township government or charitable circles.

“I heard that the joke was, when people heard my name as a candidate, everybody said, ‘Who’s that?’” he said.

Thewes is the new fiscal officer for the township, succeeding Sharon Troike, who won election as a Bath trustee in November.

“I’m a newbie just breaking in, but I’m at a point in my life when I’m able to do this,’’ Thewes said. “I spent many years in corporate and worked 60-70 hours a week. Having a life change has allowed me to do this now.’’

As a small business owner, Thewes is not tied to a strict schedule.

He operates Margin Authority LLC, which assists clients, as Thewes says, in everything from bookkeeping to strategic alliances.

“We do small business and medium business financial consulting,’’ he said. “I’m a cost accountant by trade, so I like to focus on manufacturing companies, because I can help them with their product costing.’’

Thewes’ career has revolved around accounting and finance, mostly as a controller and chief financial officer and more recently as an entrepreneur whose clients need advice in various fiscal areas.

As an expert in cost analysis, Thewes is a natural fit as a township fiscal officer. In addition, his experience includes networking with banking executives and construction companies.

“I applied [for the fiscal officer position], and I think my accounting background won out,’’ he said of his interview with township trustees.

Thewes grew up around Beaver Falls in western Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting at nearby Edinboro University. His education continued at Cleveland State University, where he got an MBA.

“I own my own business, so I have a lot of flexibility,’’ he said. “Right now, I’m spending about two days a week [on township business], but my thought is that I will spend as much time as needed to make sure it works for the citizens of Bath.’’

In addition to his professional credentials, Thewes thinks his time as president of a homeowners’ association gives him problem-solving experience that will translate to his new position.

“I’ve always wanted to give back to the community in some way,’’ he said. “I was a homeowners’ president for quite a few years when I lived in a condo. I got a taste of wanting to help the community.’’

When Thewes lived in the 88-unit Maplewood Development in Streetsboro, he headed the homeowners’ association and faced problems that included completing the construction of a road and dealing with retention ponds.

“I had to navigate through some challenging times and a builder who went bankrupt when he was finishing the development,’’ Thewes said. “There were a lot of unfinished items, so we had some unpleasant moments when we had to get stuff done.’’

Thewes has lived in Bath since 2012, so he is familiar with the area, even if he isn’t on the radar of most residents. Since being sworn in in early January, he said he was developing a good feeling about the position.

If he wants to remain township fiscal officer, he will have to run for election in November 2023 for a four-year term. Currently, he is serving out the remainder of Troike’s unexpired term. ∞