2025 Academic Scholarship Winners

The recipient of the $30,000 Goldberg-Miller Public Finance Scholarship is Erich Von Heuvel. 

• Erich Von Heuvel is an Electric Utility Financial Analyst for Lubbock Power & Light, the municipally owned electric utility serving the City of Lubbock. Originally from the San Antonio area, he moved to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. Erich is pursuing a Master of Public Administration online through Kansas State University, deepening his expertise in public finance and management.

The recipients of the two awards for the Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship are Jana Scoggins and Ji Eun Youn. Each will receive $10,000. 

• Jana Scoggins is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in accounting. She currently serves as the Deputy Finance Manager for the Port of Hood River, where she assists with financial operations, budgeting, and compliance. She is also working toward earning her CPA to further her expertise in governmental finance. Jana is passionate about improving financial transparency and efficiency in local government.
• Ji Eun Youn holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside, and a master’s degree in accounting from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Her academic journey has equipped her with a strong foundation in financial management, auditing, and strategic decision-making based on analytical thinking. Professionally, Ji Eun has gained valuable experience working for the County of Riverside, Auditor-Controller’s Office, where she contributed to ensuring fiscal accountability and transparency in local government operations. Her ultimate goal is to become a leader in governmental finance, where she can influence positive change and promote sustainable fiscal practices.

The recipients of the four awards for the Betty Jo Harker Professional Development Scholarship are Keri Adams, Anne Cantrell, Jennifer Konigsburg, and Julie Solorio-O'Guinn. Each will receive $10,000. 

• Keri Adams is originally from Jacksonville, Florida. She currently works for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, having joined the finance team in July 2022. Keri earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Bethune-Cookman University in 2015. With a passion for public service and fiscal responsibility, Keri pursued a career in government finance. In alignment with her career goals, Keri recently returned to Bethune-Cookman University to pursue an MBA, aiming to graduate in the fall of 2026. She is committed to enhancing her leadership and analytical skills to better serve in the public sector and contribute meaningfully to her community through transparent and effective financial management.
• Anne Cantrell currently serves as the Finance Director/Treasurer for the Town of Bedford, Virginia. Cantrell graduated from Liberty High School in Bedford, Virginia, and is honored to have the opportunity to serve her hometown community. She has spent the past 11 years working in local government finance and is an actively licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Virginia. In 2022, Cantrell completed the Virginia Government Finance Officers’ Association (VGFOA) certificate program. Earlier last year, Cantrell began pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree through the Helms School of Government at Liberty University. She plans to complete her degree and continue investing her time in local government and the finance network through GFOA and VGFOA.
• Jenni Konigsburg is a Senior Financial Management Analyst at Hennepin County. Prior to joining the County, Jenni worked as a Senior Accountant at a mental health nonprofit and as a high school advanced mathematics teacher. She currently serves as an elected trustee on Minnesota’s Public Employees Retirement Association’s (PERA) Board and volunteers as a bilingual tax preparer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). Jenni is currently enrolled at Rutgers Business School seeking a Masters in Governmental Accounting.
• Julie Solorio O’Guinn has served as Director of Finance and Administration at Duckett Creek Sanitary District for nine years. Her leadership extends to the Missouri GFOA, where she has held state and chapter board positions for over a decade. She pursued her education at St. Louis Community College, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Webster University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in management, business, and human resources. She is now pursuing a master’s in public administration, strengthening her connection to her work in local government. 

The recipient of the $10,000 Clark Burrus Public Service Academic Scholarship is Geoffry Brown. 

• Geoffry Brown is an emerging leader in public administration with a passion for local government and community service, rooted in a family legacy of public service. He currently serves as the Budget and Purchasing Specialist for the City of Shawnee, Kansas, where he contributes to municipal budgeting, financial reporting, and departmental improvement initiatives. Geoffry is currently pursuing an MPA from the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration, with an emphasis in Local and County Management.

The recipients of the three awards for the Jeffrey L. Esser Career Development Scholarship are Lina Alam, Iliana Burgos, and Andrea Dutton. Each will receive $10,000. 

• Lina Alam is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Arizona State University, with a focus on effective governance, policy analysis, and leadership. With a background in mathematics and extensive experience in accounting and finance, she has developed a strong analytical skill set that is helpful in making data-driven decisions. Her work as an Accounting Administrator at the City of Chandler has provided the opportunity to oversee cash management, accounts receivable, and lead a team of professional accountants. Lina is deeply passionate about improving public sector operations, especially in the areas of financial management and policy implementation.
• Iliana Burgos is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Finance at East Texas A&M University. She is a first-generation American, as her mother immigrated to the United States from Mexico. With six years of experience working in local government, including roles with the City of Garland and the City of Rowlett, she has gained invaluable insight into municipal operations. Her time in local government not only shaped her professional journey but also inspired her to continue her education and pursue a deeper understanding of business and finance.
• Andrea Dutton currently serves as a Senior Accountant for Cucamonga Valley Water District, where she has worked for 7 years. Her first job out of college led her to discover a love for accounting. Her second interest was government, which developed after she started working for a school district where she learned about government accounting and finance. She discovered her passion while serving in a role that positively impacts her community. She started her Master’s in Accountancy program in the fall of 2024 and plans to graduate in December 2025.