Board of Directors

R. G. (RICK) HELMS, CGFO, CGFM
President
Assistant County Administrator
Highlands County - BCC

R. G. (Rick) Helms is a Certified Government Finance Officer and a Certified Government Financial Manager. He received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Webber International University. Rick has served Highlands County for a total of thirty four years, first with the Clerk of Courts for fifteen years, then with the Board of County Commissioners for the last nineteen years. Highlands County became a first time recipient of the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award under his watch as OMB Director and currently has received a total of ten awards. Rick is now serving as Assistant County Administrator of Highlands County. Rick is a member of the Association of Government Accountants, the GFOA and has been a member of the FGFOA since 1989. He served on the Membership and Publications Committee for four years including one year as chairperson, the Conference Program Committee for three years including one year as chairperson, Career Development Committee and the Nominating Committee. He initiated the drive for establishment of the Heartland Chapter and served as Chapter President. Rick served for five years on the FGFOA Board of Directors before election as Secretary/Treasurer.

Jeffrey R. Smith, CPA, CGFO
President Elect
Chief Deputy Clerk
Indian River County Clerk of the Circuit Court

Jeff Smith has served various positions for Indian River County over the past 16 years.  Jeff’s current position is Chief Deputy Clerk. Jeff served 8 years as the Assistant Tax Collector, 2 1/2 years as Assistant Utilities Director, 4 years as Assistant Finance Director and 2 years as Staff Accountant.  Prior to his employment with Indian River County, Jeff was Managing Director of his own CPA firm in Vero Beach. Prior to opening his own firm, Jeff spent 4 years with KPMG Peat Marwick from 1984-1988.  Jeff has been an active member of the FGFOA since October 1992, having served 5 years on the Certification Committee including 1 year as Chair and 3 years on the Conference Program Committee. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the FGFOA from July 2004 through June 2006 and for 2007-2008.   He has taught several review classes for the CGFO, taught a session at the School of Government Finance and has been a moderator at several FGFOA annual conferences. Jeff received a B.S.B.A from the University of Central Florida, was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in October 1984 and received his CGFO in November 1997.  Jeff is a member of the GFOA currently serving as a member of the Special Review Committee for the Certificate of Achievement For Excellence in Financial Reporting program, and also a member of the AICPA and FICPA. He is active in community organizations having previously served as Treasurer of the Indian River Habitat for Humanity and active in his church. He also is the Immediate Past-President of the Exchange Club of Indian River.

CHRISTOPHER LYONS, CPA, CGFO, CPFO
Secretary/Treasurer
Finance Director
City of Sarasota

Christopher Lyons graduated from Long Island University’s School of Professional Accountancy, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science. In 1978 he began his career with Touche Ross & Co. as an auditor, servicing clients in the governmental, not-for-profit, financial, defense, manufacturing, and sports franchise industries. In 1979 he successfully completed the requirements to become a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York. In late 1981, he relocated to the Sarasota area and joined a four office CPA firm, in which he became a partner during 1985. In 1982 he was granted reciprocity as a CPA in the State of Florida. His employment with the City of Sarasota began in 1987 as the Accounting and Payroll Manager. In 1989 he was promoted to Budget Director, which included oversight of the annual budget and capital improvement processes. In 1991 he was promoted to Deputy Finance Director, which consolidated the budget and capital improvement processes with the Assistant Finance Director functions. In September 2007 Mr. Lyons was promoted to Finance Director.  Mr. Lyons has been a Certified Government Finance Officer in Florida since 1995 and a Certified Public Finance Officer since 2001. Mr. Lyons is a member of the AICPA, the FICPA, the GFOA, the FGFOA, and the Southwest Florida chapter of the FGFOA. He served as President of the chapter during the 2004-2005 fiscal year. Regarding participation in the FGFOA, he served as a member of the Fee Analysis Ad-Hoc Committee, Chair of the School of Governmental Finance Committee for 2003-2004, and Chair of the Host Committee for the Annual Conference for 2005-2006.

DIRECTORS:


MARY ANDERSON-PICKLE, CGFO
Deputy Finance Administrator
City of Palm Beach Gardens

Mary O. Anderson-Pickle is a CGFO and received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida International University. Mary has served as the Deputy Finance Administrator for the City of Palm Beach Gardens since 2001. Before accepting the position with the City, Mary spent 5 years at the Village of Wellington and 2 years with the City of West Palm Beach. Mary is a member of the GFOA and has been a member of the FGFOA since 1997. Mary was elected to the Board of Directors for the 2006/2007 year and served as the Board liaison to the School of Governmental Finance. Prior involvement in the FGFOA includes 2 years of service on the Conference Host Committee, 2 years of service on the School of Governmental Finance Committee, including 1 year as chairperson, 1 year as Chairperson for the Conference Program Committee and 3 years service on the Scholarship Committee. Mary is a member of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the FGFOA and has served as President, President Elect, Secretary and Director.

SARAH KOSER, CPA, CGFO, CPFO
Finance Director
Citrus County - CCC

Sarah C. Koser is currently the Finance Director with the Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court.  She has been with the Clerk’s Office since March 1989 and has served as the Finance Director since August of 1995.  Under Sarah’s leadership, Citrus County received their first GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Financial Reporting in 1998 and they have received that award every year since. 

Sarah has been a member of the FGFOA since 1994 and served two years on the Career Development Committee, two years on the Small Government Committee, one year on the Conference Host Committee, and one year on the Nominating Committee.  She was instrumental in the establishment of the Nature Coast Chapter of the FGFOA in 2005 and served as the Charter Year President.  Sarah is a also a member of FICPA and GFOA and has served on the GFOA Special Review Committee for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting program for four years.  

Sarah graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Leo University with a BA in Accounting.  She earned the designation of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1997, Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) in 1998 and Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) in 2001.  She also holds a Certificate in Supervisory Management (CSM) from the Florida Center for Public Management at the Florida State University.


DOREEN LAM, CGFO
City Treasurer
City of Hollywood

Doreen Lam holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University in Durham, NC, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.  She earned the FGFOA’s CGFO designation in 2006, and was recognized for professional excellence for having attained the highest passing scores on the CGFO exam that year.

Doreen has been a member of the FGFOA for nearly 20 years, and has served on the FGFOA’s Conference Host Committee, School of Governmental Finance Committee, and Nominating Committee. She has been an active member of the Board of Directors of the South Florida Chapter (representing Broward and Miami-Dade Counties) since 2005, and served two years as President.  Doreen has also been an active member of the GFOA.  While serving on the Cash Management Standing Committee (Vice Chair for four years), she chaired the Subcommittee on Electronic Commerce, and developed and edited a publication on the use of electronic commerce in government for the GFOA.  She has also served on the GFOA’s Conference Host Committee, Nominating Committee and the Standing Committee on Retirement Benefits Administration. 

Doreen has over 20 years of experience in treasury management and government finance, and currently serves as City Treasurer of the City of Hollywood where she is responsible for the City’s cash and investments; accounts receivable and non-ad valorem assessments; administering the City’s contract for outsourced utility billing and customer service functions; revenue accounting and compliance auditing; and debt administration.


KENT OLSON, CGFO
Budget Director
City of Jacksonville

Kent has served in various positions in municipal finance over the past 23 years, currently serving as the City of Jacksonville’s Budget Officer since January 2007.  Previously, he served as the City of Orlando’s Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer, the Finance Director for the City of Palm Beach Gardens and as a Finance Director for two smaller communities in Illinois. 

Kent has been active in the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, serving as Committee Chair for the Member Services Committee and the Legislative Committee, as well as serving as on the Conference Program Committee and the School of Government Finance Committee.  He has also served as President of both the Palm Beach County and Central Florida Chapters of the FGFOA.  While in Illinois, Kent served as chair of the Legislative Committee and as a Director for the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association.

Kent earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics-finance from Millikin University in 1982 and a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Syracuse University in 1983.  He became a Certified Government Finance Officer in November 1996.


Mary-Lou Pickles, CGFO, CMA
Revenue Accountant
St. Johns River Water Management District

Mary-Lou Pickles is a Revenue Accountant in the Office of Budget and Management Reporting for the St. Johns River Water Management District. She is a Certified Government Finance Officer and a Certified Management Accountant. She has a Master’s of Business Administration degree with a financial management specialization and over fifteen years of experience in budgeting and accounting for the governmental and not-for-profit sectors.

Mary-Lou has been an active member of FGFOA since 2000. She served on the Certification Committee for four years including two years as chair, one year as chair of the Conference Program Committee, and as a member of the Lifetime Achievement Award Committee. Mary-Lou has taught several review courses for the CGFO Program. She also serves as a Board member for the First Coast Chapter of the FGFOA.

 
GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ, CPA, CGFO
Finance & Budget Director
Town of Pembroke Park

For the past eight years, Georgina Rodriguez has served as the Finance and Budget Director for the Town of Pembroke Park.  Her responsibilities include financial reporting, debt management, pension issues and budget preparation and oversight.  Prior to her employment with the Town of Pembroke Park, Georgina worked for the Office of the Auditor General where she was a lead auditor responsible for financial and operational audits for community colleges, state universities, and the office of the State Attorney and Public Defender.  She also worked for the City of Oakland Park as the Assistant Finance Director, and served as Chair of the Legislative Committee, member of the Host Committee and Nominating Committee.  Georgina has moderated several FGFOA conferences.  Georgina currently serves as a State of Florida Representative for the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA.).

Georgina graduated from Florida Atlantic University.  She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO).   In addition to being a member of the Florida Finance Officers Association (FGFOA), Georgina is a member of the South Florida Chapter of the FGFOA and has served as President, Vice-President and Past President of the Board of Directors. Georgina is a member of the American and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA and FICPA).  Georgina is active in community organizations, having previously served as Treasurer for the Wilton Manors-Oakland Park Chamber of Commerce.

Ted Sauerbeck, CPA, CGFO
Audit Director
State of Florida - Office of the Auditor General

Ted Sauerbeck is an Audit Director with the Auditor General’s Office who has responsibilities related to financial and operational audits of community colleges, universities, district school boards, and local governments. He is also responsible for professional practice for all divisions. Prior to his current responsibilities, for three years he was an Audit Manager responsible for financial and operational audits of community colleges and State universities. Prior to that, for many years he was an Audit Supervisor responsible for audits of local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations, the local government financial reporting system performance audit, and other statewide local government-related projects. Ted is a graduate of the University of Central Florida. He is a certified public accountant and certified government finance officer. In addition to being a member of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA), Ted is a member of the American and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA), and is currently serving on the FICPA State and Local Government Section Resource Council. Ted has been a frequent speaker for the FGFOA and FICPA, and has authored or co-authored articles on various topics for the FICPA and FGFOA.

Barry Skinner, CPA, CGFO, CPFO
Deputy Director of Finance & Accounting
Orange County Comptroller's Office

Barry H. Skinner is currently the Deputy Director of Finance and Accounting with the Orange County Comptroller’s Office.  He has been with the Comptroller’s Office since April 1985. Barry has been an active member of the FGFOA having served as chairman of the Certification, Technical Resources, Career Development, and School of Government Finance Committees.  He has taught several review courses for the CGFO Program and moderated at several FGFOA annual conferences and Schools.

Barry received a B.S.B.A from the University of Central Florida, was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) in 1992, as well as a Certified Government Finance Officer (C.G.F.O.) in November 1996, and a Certified Public Finance Officer (C.P.F.O.) in June 2001.  Barry is a member of the AICPA, FICPA, GFOA, FGFOA and the Central Florida Chapter of the FGFOA.


JEANNIE GARNER
Executive Director of the FGFOA

 Jeannie Garner has served as the Executive Director for FGFOA for eight years. She oversees all aspects of the administration, including reporting to the Board of Directors. She is also the Director of Financial Services at the Florida League of Cities, where she has been for 15 years. The Department of Financial Services provides financial services for local governments in the State of Florida. As the Director, Jeannie is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and administration of these services. These services include a bond loan program, an investment program, a pension program, and technical consulting. Jeannie is also an Advisory member of the GFOA Debt Committee, Chair for the NLC Public Finance Consortium, and Chair of the newly created SBA LGIP Participant Advisory Committee. A native of Birmingham, AL, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Troy State University in 1989. 


PENNY MITCHELL
Executive Assistant to the FGFOA

Penny Mitchell is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and is responsible for meeting planning for the FGFOA which includes the School of Governmental Finance, coordination of speakers and exhibitors for the FGFOA Annual Conference, Board Meetings and Educational Seminars.  She has been with The Florida League of Cities since April 2004 and also serves as Financial Services Assistant to the Department of Financial Services and Executive Assistant to Jeannie Garner.  Penny was selected to The Florida League of Cities ACE Team (Advance Commitment to Excellence) and is an active member of Tallahassee Society of Association Executives (TSAE).  Penny has also held a Florida Real Estate License since 1983.


KELLY DAVIS
Executive Assistant to the FGFOA

Kelly Davis is responsible for FGFOA membership renewals, event registrations and the membership database. She provides administrative support for the Certified Government Finance Officer’s Program (CGFO), maintains the FGFOA Web site and compiles the online bi-monthly newsletter. She is the contact person for CPE course approvals. Kelly earned an Associate of Arts degree from Tallahassee Community College in 2003. Kelly is a member of Tallahassee Society of Association Executives (TSAE) and serves on the board of Tallahassee Lenders Consortium (TLC).