GFOA Recognition for Outstanding Public Service
GFOA Recognition for Outstanding Public Service honors individual GFOA members for their dedication to the profession, their colleagues, their organizations, and their communities. The work of finance professionals is critical to government’s ability to serve, yet it often happens behind the scenes.
GFOA’s membership network includes many individuals who exemplify public service—supporting others, leading organizations through both good times and challenges, and making a positive impact on those they serve.
Help us share their stories to recognize their achievements and inspire others. Highlighting the impact of public finance officers on their organizations and communities is also one of the best ways to attract new talent to the profession.
Nominations for 2026 will open in January.
Recipients of GFOA's 2025 Recognition for Outstanding Public Service
Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
Ken Al-Imam | Chief Financial Officer | City of San Juan Capistrano, CA |
Tracy Bowman | Director of Finance | Orange County Employees Retirement System, CA |
Buffy Bullis | Administrative Services Director | City of Monrovia, CA |
Nancy Clark-Gonzalez | Chief Financial Officer | Camden County Board of Commissioners, GA |
David Clawson | Chief Financial Officer/Deputy County Manager | Dare County, NC |
Lori Cooke | Budget Manager | Washoe County, NV |
Erin Crawford | CFO | City of Enid, OK |
Migdalia Crespo | Accountant | Town of Montville, CT |
Brent Davis | Finance Director | City of Ketchum, ID |
Marie Dennis | Deputy CFO | Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, FL |
Anna Dowleski | Finance Officer - Payroll | City of Costa Mesa, CA |
Dell Duckworth | Assistant Finance Director | Village of Winnetka, IL |
Jeanette Duque-Smith | Assistant Director of Accounting | Clark County School District, NV |
Paula Eldredge | Chief Financial Officer | Military Installation Development Authority, UT |
Katie Eviston | Finance Director | City of Springfield, OH |
LaQuanza Flowers | Finance Manager | Renton Regional Fire Authority, WA |
Maria Gamboa | Director of Finance | City of Henderson, NV |
Laurie Grigg | Controller/Chief Financial Officer | Madison Area Technical College, WI |
Brandi Harbaugh | Finance Director | Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK |
Bruce Haupt | Chief Finance and Admin Officer | Harris County Flood District, TX |
Mark Highfield | Budget Manager | County of Hanover, VA |
Mary Hografe | Budget Manager | St. Louis County, MO |
Grace Jimenez | Chief Accountant | Lewis County Auditor, WA |
Cory Kampf | Chief Financial Officer | Anoka County, MN |
Dennis Kauffman | Assistant City Manager | City of Roseville, CA |
Brian Kennedy | Chief Financial Officer | Oregon Metro, OR |
Marie Keyser | Assistant Finance Director | City of Mequon, WI |
Rosa Lara Rios | Director of Finance | City of Delano, CA |
Pearl Lieu | Director of Finance | City of Alhambra, CA |
Maryjane Malavasi | Director of Finance | Town of Guilford, CT |
Roberto Manchia | County Chief Financial Officer | County of San Mateo, CA |
Brian McKenzie | Deputy Finance Director | City of Marion, IA |
Maria Meredith | CFO/Director of Management & Finance | Arlington County, VA |
Heidi Neace | Assistant Finance Director | City of Middletown, OH |
Jamie Norman | Director of Finance | Horry County, SC |
Allena Portis | Deputy City Manager | City of Greeley, CO |
Gina Rackley | Comptroller | Humboldt County, NV |
Alfredo Riverol | Chief Financial Officer | City of South Miami, FL |
Becky Robertson | Finance Manager | City of West Sacramento, CA |
Tami Robison | Finance Director | Geary County, KS |
Teresa Rotschafer | President | Tomorrow's Solutions for Public Sector Employers |
Tommy Ryan | Procurement Analyst | City of Long Beach, CA |
Cody Scott | Deputy Controller | City of Mobile, AL |
Cindy Scymanski | Purchasing Manager | City of Loveland, CO |
Nikki Simmons | Chief Financial Officer | El Paso County, CO |
Maureen Singleton | Chief Operating Officer | San Francisco Public Library, CA |
Kim Sitton | Finance Director | City of Corona, CA |
Judy Smith | Finance Director | Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority, GA |
Dean Smith | Debt Management Specialist | City of Columbus, Ohio |
Christopher Smith | Chief Financial Officer | Katy Independent School District, TX |
Kristal Spetnagel | City Auditor | City of Chillicothe, OH |
Kristin Trivelas | Fiscal Services Director | City of Renton, WA |
Karen Vasquez | Director Business Operations | Harris County, TX |
Recipients of GFOA's 2024 Recognition for Outstanding Public Service
Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
Director of Finance | Alex Renew, VA | |
Deputy Controller | County of Albemarle, VA | |
Finance Director | Walworth County, WI | |
Finance Director | Warren County, NC | |
Town Comptroller | Town of Eastchester, NY | |
Controller | City of Oklahoma City, OK | |
Finance Director | Bear Valley Community Services District, CA | |
Deputy Comptroller | City of St. Louis, MO | |
Finance Director / Assistant Town Manager | Town of Smyrna, TN | |
CFO | City of Longmont, CO | |
Administrative Officer/Finance Officer | San Miguel Fire & Rescue, CA | |
Assistant Finance Director | City of Waco, TX | |
Senior Assistant Director | City of Houston Public Works, TX | |
Finance Director | Linn County, IA | |
Assistant Finance Director | City of San Antonio, TX | |
Controller | Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation | |
Finance Deputy Director | Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, TN | |
Director of Finance | Town of Manchester, CT | |
Senior Finance Manager | San Diego Community Power, CA | |
Accounting Specialist | Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, MN | |
Controller | Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX | |
Chief Deputy Treasurer | Pinal County, AZ | |
Grants Fiscal Manager | City of Milwaukee, WI | |
Finance Director | Washington County, MN | |
Director, Accounting Operations | City & County of San Francisco, CA | |
Director of Finance and Administration | City of Brookfield, WI | |
Controller | Virginia Lottery, VA | |
Director of Finance & Human Resources | San Juan Water District, CA | |
Finance Director | City of Rolling Meadows, IL | |
Director, Finance & Investor Relations | Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY | |
Finance Director | City of Covington, KY | |
Deputy Auditor | City of Columbus Auditor's Office, OH | |
Chief Financial Officer | TriMet, OR |
Eligibility
All GFOA members are eligible to be recognized with this program or nominate someone who has made a difference, exemplified the values in GFOA's code of ethics, or served as a role model for the public finance profession.