City of Cheboygan welcomes Brandon Blaskowski as he steps into treasurer role

CHEBOYGAN — Cheboygan native Brandon Blaskowski has returned to the city and is stepping into the role as city treasurer.

Blaskowski is replacing Bridget Brown, who left the position after serving the city for just over four years.

"I am thrilled to be named the new treasurer for the city," said Blaskowski. "I look forward to working with and seeing what the future holds for my coworkers, the community and myself."

Blaskowski was officially hired on July 1, with his first day being July 18. He transitioned into the position after Brown's last day on Aug. 4. He spent several weeks shadowing Brown and being trained for his new position.

In October 2021, the city clerk-treasurer position was split into two positions. This was done to allow city offices to run more efficiently. As treasurer, Blaskowski will be performing the same duties as Brown did in the role, such as working on taxes, utility billings, budgeting and financials, and human resources.

More:City splitting clerk-treasurer position

"I have been an accounting manager-controller for different companies. I will be implementing what I have learned from my previous positions to the treasurer position," said Blaskowski. "I am looking forward to the new learning curve for this position, how the city operates and being involved. I want to see the city succeed and grow for the future."

Blaskowski said over the course of his training, he has seen a lot of similarities with previous positions he has held compared to the city treasurer job.

"The items and software that I am learning will take some time to understand," he said. "It has been a great opportunity to train and learn from Bridget Brown."

Blaskowski was born and raised in Cheboygan. He attended Bishop Baraga Catholic Schools until the sixth grade, before transitioning to Cheboygan Area Schools to complete his schooling. He graduated from Cheboygan Area High School in 2011.

After graduating, he attended Northwood University in Midland, where he earned a degree in hospitality management, marketing and advertising. He also received his master of business administration degree from DeVos Graduate School at Northwood University.

Blaskowski has lived in Orlando and Tampa, Florida, then moved to Detroit, before returning to Cheboygan last year.

"I have worked at Walt Disney World, multiple hospitality management companies and am most recently coming from the insurance industry, BKC Insurance," said Blaskowski. "I have held front desk positions all the way to accounting manager-controller over the years."

Blaskowski said he is a very family oriented person, which is part of the reason why he chose to move back to the Cheboygan area last year. He had not been seeing his family a lot and felt he was missing out on the opportunity to watch his nieces and nephews grow up.

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When he is not at work, he can be found at the ball fields or gym, playing, coaching or cheering on any number of local sports teams.

"I also enjoy traveling, hanging out with friends and being outdoors," he said. "I am excited for this new adventure (as treasurer,) being more involved in the community and part of the future for the City of Cheboygan."

Blaskowski was first introduced to the Cheboygan City Council members at the July 19 council meeting. 

His first official council meeting with the city will be Aug. 9.

Contact Reporter Kortny Hahn at khahn1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @khahnCDT.