Clark Burrus

Clark Burrus was a trailblazer in public finance and a pivotal figure in the history of GFOA. Born in Chicago in 1928, he grew up on the city's South Side. He began his studies at Texas State University before returning to Chicago, where he earned a B.S.C. in 1954 and an M.P.A. in 1972 from Roosevelt University. 

From 1954 to 1979, Burrus worked for the City of Chicago, serving under Mayors Martin Kennelly, Richard J. Daley, Michael Bilandic, and Jane Byrne. In 1973, he was appointed city comptroller, the city's chief financial officer. Under his capable leadership of Chicago's Department of Finance, the city achieved its first double-A bond rating for conformance in accounting and GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. In 1979, Burrus transitioned to the private sector as senior vice president of the First National Bank of Chicago in the Asset and Liability Management Department, a role he held for the next twelve years. In 1991, he became vice chairman of First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc. and co-head of the Public Banking Department. Burrus retired in 1998 but left a mark on the public finance profession. He is celebrated as the first Black president of GFOA, where he made a profound impact by advocating for greater inclusivity within the organization and the communities it served. The scholarship named in his honor supports minority students pursuing careers in public finance, continuing his legacy of empowerment and inclusion in the profession.