Jim K. Barker Jr., who has nearly 30 years of experience in finance leadership and audits of public housing authorities, has joined Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) as deputy director of finance and administration.
Jim Barker
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation
Barker most recently served as chief financial officer and chief compliance officer for the Fresno Housing Authority in Fresno, California. He also was vice president for Malcolm Johnson & Company Certified Public Accountants in DeBary, Florida, where Barker helped to conduct, report and conclude audits for more than 500 large, medium and small public housing agencies, including KCDC, for 22 years.
“Jim has significant experience in auditing public housing authorities across the country,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “We conducted a national search to fill this position, and Jim’s experience as CFO at a large public housing authority makes him a perfect fit for this position. We welcome Jim to Knoxville and to the KCDC team.”
Barker will report to KCDC Chief Financial Officer Tracee Pross and oversee the organization’s accounting division as well as various activities within its human resources, information systems and procurement divisions.
Barker is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and is designated by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), which acknowledges professionals who are proficient in finance, operations, strategy and management. He graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina.
Barker and his wife, Marilyn, reside in Halls. They have three grown sons and five grandchildren.