John McCarthy Named as New CFO for the League of Minnesota Cities

The League of Minnesota Cities, the state’s largest municipal membership association, has hired a new chief financial officer (CFO). John McCarthy, currently the chief finance officer for the City of St. Paul, will join the League on June 2. He will replace the League’s current CFO, Mark Ruff, who announced his decision to step down earlier this year.

Among other duties, the League’s CFO directs all financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable functions. As a key member of the League’s Leadership Team, McCarthy will work collaboratively to develop and manage organizational budgets, long-term operational plans, and capital plans.

McCarthy has worked for the City of St. Paul’s Office of Financial Services at progressively higher levels since 2007 and has served as chief finance officer there since 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies from Carleton College and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. McCarthy is a member of the Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association.

“John brings valuable experience in municipal government operations to the League,” said League Executive Director Luke Fischer. “His energy and passion for serving in the public sector will benefit not only our organization, but our city government members as well.”

The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership organization dedicated to helping cities throughout Minnesota build quality communities through effective advocacy, expert analysis, trusted guidance, and collective action. The League serves its more than 830 member cities through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management, and other services.