Melinda Gildart is the Deputy Division Director for the Financial Management Division at the Texas Department of Transportation. In this role, Melinda oversees the Budget/Forecasting, Accounting, Federal Funding, and Accounts Payable and Receivable functions, as well as management of the Annual Financial and Federal Single Audits. TxDOT is one of the nation's largest state agencies, issuing a stand-alone Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and additional audited financial reports for related entities. Melinda is a past chair and current member of GFOA's Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting Committee and previously, Melinda served as the Controller for Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s third largest school district. Melinda led her staff in developing and implementing district wide financial policies and internal controls, as well as managed its accounting, finance, grants and disbursements departments. CPS' Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Popular Annual Financial Report, include reporting for over 600 public and charter schools. With greater than 20 years of governmental finance experience, Melinda has also served in other senior finance roles at the federal, state and local levels, namely with the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and Illinois Finance Authority. Melinda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration: Accounting, a Master of Business Administration, and is a licensed certified public accountant in Texas and Illinois.