Volte – Founder & Managing Partner (2017–Present)

Founded and manages a firm specializing in financial consulting, equity investments in real estate development and businesses, and management solutions for organizations navigating operational and financial challenges.

Oversees investments in real estate development projects and business equity opportunities, providing tailored advisory services and interim management solutions for clients across various industries.

Mariners Inn – Volunteer Business Teacher (2024-Present)

Provides business education to clients at Mariners Inn, a nationally recognized treatment center for homelessness and substance abuse.

Works with clients to develop foundational business knowledge and skills, fostering self-sufficiency and pathways to employment.

Focuses on practical instruction, including budgeting, business planning, and financial literacy, to support long-term success for program participants.

Wayne County Community College – Adjunct Professor (2022–2023)

Taught business and economics courses over two semesters, emphasizing practical application of financial and operational principles.

Guided students in understanding the fundamentals of financial management, organizational efficiency, and municipal budgeting.

Xenith – Chief Executive Officer (2023–2024)

Served as CEO, leading significant restructuring initiatives that improved operational efficiency, financial stability, and streamlined internal processes.

Focused on enhancing the company's operational framework to better serve stakeholders before transitioning out of the role.

Fathead – Owner & Chairman (2020–2023)

Acquired and executed a comprehensive turnaround plan for Fathead, a leading wall graphics and décor company, resulting in a successful exit.

Implemented operational improvements, optimized resource allocation, and redefined the company's business model to improve profitability and market share.

Rock Ventures – Chief Operating Officer (2018–2020)

Oversaw operations for Dan Gilbert's portfolio of distressed entities, including Shinola, Sift, Xenith, and Woodward Original, providing leadership to drive operational improvements and maximize performance.

Directed the operations of Gilbert’s aircraft management team, ensuring streamlined functionality and cost efficiency.

Coordinated efforts across the portfolio to identify areas for cost reduction, resource optimization, and operational alignment, focusing on long-term sustainability and growth.

Wayne County, MI – Chief Financial Officer/Chief Restructuring Officer (2015–2017)

Eliminated an $82.8 million accumulated deficit and a $52 million structural deficit through targeted financial initiatives and operational reforms.

Reduced unfunded pension liabilities by $181 million by renegotiating pension agreements and implementing revised funding policies.

Decreased other post-employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities by $1 billion through changes to retiree healthcare plans and benefit structures.

Negotiated and ratified 11 labor agreements to address workforce-related liabilities while maintaining public services.

Led the $57.5 million sale of a wastewater treatment facility, a move that reduced annual operating costs by $3 million.

Implemented an asset utilization program to improve operational efficiency across county-owned properties, including restructuring leases and consolidating physical spaces to reduce expenditures.

Presented regular updates and reports to the Wayne County Commission, providing detailed assessments of financial recovery efforts and next steps for the county.

City of Benton Harbor, MI – Emergency Manager (2013–2014)

Appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to lead Benton Harbor through a financial emergency and bring it out of state receivership.

Reduced general fund expenditures by 30% while maintaining core public services.

Transitioned the city’s healthcare system to a fixed-contribution model, lowering annual healthcare costs by 74%.

Negotiated labor agreements with unions to achieve workforce sustainability and reduce long-term liabilities.

Oversaw the transfer of city parks and cemeteries to third-party management, improving service quality and operational efficiency.

Increased water collection rates by 15% and reduced municipal water rates by 5% through system enhancements.

Developed and implemented a comprehensive financial plan that stabilized Benton Harbor’s finances, enabling its successful exit from state receivership.

City of Detroit – Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to City Council (2010–2013)

Led the Pension Reform Working Group, which uncovered $1.9 billion in losses in the Detroit General Retirement System.

Worked closely with stakeholders to address systemic issues within the pension system and implemented reforms that improved its long-term viability.

Drafted and lobbied for pension reform ordinances, reducing annuity payments and prohibiting the distribution of excess earnings, saving millions for the city.

Reviewed and advised on bond issuances totaling $350 million, ensuring alignment with the city’s long-term financial health.

Analyzed the city’s $2.9 billion annual budget and identified opportunities for cost savings, including introducing the Cooperative Purchasing Ordinance, which required competitive cost analysis to improve procurement efficiency.

Advised the Council on major labor agreements, large-scale contracts, and legislative priorities, ensuring financial sustainability in municipal operations.

Supported the development of budget reallocation measures that deferred $60 million in immediate pension payments while maintaining critical city services.

Shelby County Schools Advisor

Conducted an in-depth assessment of the school district’s $1.3 billion in unfunded retiree healthcare liabilities.

Developed a 30-year pay-as-you-go analysis, OPEB trust, and investment strategy to improve the district’s financial outlook.

Evaluated and vetted the district’s deficit reduction plan, identifying cost-cutting measures and testing assumptions for retiree healthcare plans.

DeKalb County, GA Advisor

Reviewed and provided actionable recommendations to address the county’s unfunded retiree healthcare liabilities.

Delivered a financial framework targeting $71 million in savings over a 10-year period while addressing employee retention risks.

Created OPEB modeling scenarios under various actuarial assumptions to assist with decision-making.

City of Lincoln Park Advisor

Provided litigation support for a lawsuit related to the loss of retiree health insurance due to cost-cutting measures.

City of Pontiac Advisor

Supported litigation involving the elimination of retiree healthcare benefits for 1,000 retirees.

Negotiated settlements that restored healthcare benefits while mitigating $286 million in potential financial exposure for the city.

Highland Park School District Advisor

Analyzed the district’s capacity to fund pension obligations and unemployment insurance liabilities.

Recommended financial adjustments to improve funding stability and mitigate long-term risks.

Conway MacKenzie – Director (2014)

Provided turnaround and crisis management services for public sector entities, including municipalities and school districts.

Supported major clients such as Gary, Indiana; Pontiac, Michigan; Detroit Public Schools; and the Skillman Foundation.

Advised on liquidations and operational improvements, focusing on optimizing resources and stabilizing financial performance.

Tony Saunders has been a featured speaker, panelist, and moderator at numerous national and regional conferences, addressing topics such as fiscal reform, pension restructuring, and municipal recovery. Highlights include:

Prince George’s County, GA: "Best Practices in Addressing Structural Deficits"

Shelby County, TN: "Restructuring Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB)"

Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan Annual Conference: "Examining OPEB Trends"

National Association of Black County Officials: "Restructuring Pension Liabilities"

Michigan State University, Center for Local Government Finance and Policy: "Emergency Manager Reform in Michigan"

Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA): "Fiscal Pressures and Emergency Red Flags"

City of Wayne, City Council: "Red Flags and Fiscal Pressures"

Michigan Public Radio: "Emergency Manager and School Districts"

Western Michigan Turnaround Management Association: "Building Financial Sustainability in Crisis Situations"

National Association of County Officials: "Restructuring OPEB Liabilities"

National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP): Panel moderator at the 28th Annual Pension and Financial Services Conference

National Association of Black County Officials: “Economic Development and Fiscal Responsibility”

2023 NBA All-Star Weekend: Panelist on the "Black Entrepreneurs" panel, discussing pathways to success, challenges in business leadership, and the importance of supporting minority-owned enterprises

Executive Board Member, Detroit Institute of Arts

Detroit Financial Review Commission

Wayne County Employees Retirement System (Commissioner)

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Detroit Historical Society

Coalition On Temporary Shelter

Racquet Up Detroit