Kealey running for state treasurer

After a lengthy career in the private sector, Tom Kealey believes the time is right to jump into public service.

The longtime Idahoan will seek the office of state treasurer, running on the Republican ticket.

If elected, Kealey said he would add more transparency to the treasury to help boost public trust and understanding of the office.

“I’d like to make it where people can go one place and see a lot about what the treasurer does, what the benefits are,” Kealey said during a visit Friday in Coeur d’Alene. “Transparency is really important.”

Previously, Kealey has served as CFO for Morrison Knudsen and Senior VP for the General Electric Capital division.

He and his wife, Joy, also own Chicago Connection, a deep-dish pizza restaurant founded and based in Idaho.

Kealey said his background in senior positions at large companies has prepared him to serve as treasurer.

“I’ve seen a lot of different ways to do things in a lot of different financial settings,” he said. “I think that helps prepare me well for the challenges of state treasurer.”

He added that his diverse range of professional experiences allow him to incorporate techniques he has already seen be successful.

“Every one of my experiences in big corporations — whether it’s GE Capital or others — there are different cultural things you’d like to take,” Kealey said. “It helps me mold what I think is a good culture for innovation, transparency and trust.”

Kealey has also served on a variety of boards focused on higher education, finances and health care. He is a retired CPA.

He attended University of Washington for his undergraduate studies and obtained his MBA from Harvard Business School.

He and his wife will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next month.