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Gary, IND. Mayor Eddie Melton has selected seasoned financial professional and Gary native, Chenika Beck, to serve as the new City Controller for the City of Gary. Beck, a Certified Public Accountant with more than a decade of experience, brings a proven track record in accounting, public service, and community investment to the role.
“Chenika Beck is an exceptional talent with a proven record in financial management and leadership. Her experience at the highest levels of accounting, combined with her commitment to our community, makes her uniquely qualified to serve as City Controller,” stated Mayor Melton. “Chenika not only understands the numbers, she understands Gary. Her dedication to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds will be critical as we continue to move our city forward.”
A proud product of the Gary Community School Corporation, Beck later completed her studies at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Howard University and a Master of Science in Accounting from Wake Forest University.
Beck began her career at Deloitte and later worked with Ernst & Young, supporting both private and SEC-regulated organizations with revenues up to $50 billion. She specialized in corporate tax compliance and led high-profile financial engagements that identified millions in tax efficiencies. She was later promoted to Tax Manager, guiding teams through complex reporting cycles and building strong client relationships.
She also managed a $6 million budget for a state-funded nonprofit, where she strengthened financial processes and ensured accurate grant reporting. Beyond her professional work, Beck has invested in more than 25 properties in Gary, demonstrating her personal commitment to the city’s revitalization and long-term growth.
“I am honored to serve the city that raised me,” said Beck. “Gary has always been home, and this role represents a full-circle moment for me. I am committed to supporting the city’s growth through transparency, accountability, and thoughtful financial leadership, ensuring that every decision is made with the long-term wellbeing of our community in mind.”
Beck succeeds former City Controller Celita Green, who served the City of Gary for more than a decade.
“Celita Green has served the City of Gary with dedication and integrity for more than a decade, fundamentally strengthening our fiscal responsibility and accountability,” stated Mayor Melton. “During her tenure as controller, she guided us to financial stability by building a reserve, paying off the $7.3 million Interfund Loan debt, reducing the budget by 16 percent, and creating a city investment fund. We are grateful for her leadership and the foundation she leaves behind, strengthening the administrations momentum to continue moving Gary forward in the right direction.”
As City Controller, Beck will oversee the city’s financial operations, bringing both technical expertise and personal dedication to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainable progress for the City of Gary.
Media Contact:
Steve Segura
Chief Communications Officer
