Our Team
Leadership Team
Our experienced Leadership Team is responsible for the development of firm-wide initiatives aimed at providing ongoing successful service to our clients, now and in the future. We lead our firm by providing safe and liquid short to intermediate investment programs and cutting-edge technological solutions that enhance operational efficiencies for state and local governments nationwide, positively impacting the communities we serve.
Todd Alton, CFA®
Chief Executive Officer
Todd is Public Trust’s Chief Executive Officer appointed unanimously by the Board of Managers. Prior to becoming CEO, Todd served as the President of Public Trust where he was responsible for establishing short- and long-term objectives for the firm; presiding over the workforce; and ensuring proper resource allocation that empowered all departments to meet their goals and, thereby, collectively achieve the firm’s objectives. Todd previously worked for Public Trust in various capacities and across all functions during the early formative years of the business. His extensive background uniquely qualifies Todd for his current role. Operationally, Todd helped fully develop and professionalize the credit research department; expand the portfolio management department’s strategic capabilities; and focus the business on automating workflow processes. In addition, Todd has been instrumental in the development of key client relationships and has consistently represented the brand as a keynote speaker and subject matter expert. Prior to Public Trust, Todd most recently served as a Managing Director for Bear Creek Asset Management where he helped develop and expand their Private Equity platform and manage other elements of the firm. Over the past two decades, Todd led and managed business units and teams in such sectors as banking, investment banking, and structured finance. During tenures at CCB Corp and Piper Jaffray, Todd held roles in institutional bond sales, trading, asset liability management, and investment portfolio management. After the 2007 Financial Crisis, Todd led a unit of structured finance and commercial real estate experts at Frederick Ross-Asset Advisory Alliance. His team focused on providing tranche-level assessments to special servicers of CMBS securities. He also served in public sector roles at both the FDIC and Federal Reserve where he was responsible for resolving failed banks; participating in material loss reviews; and was a subject matter expert in the areas of capital markets, interest rate risk, and commercial real estate lending. Todd received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arkansas, is a CFA® charterholder, and a member of CFA Society Colorado. He is an active member of Legatus Denver; an Economic Development Council Member for the Downtown Denver Partnership; an Advisory Board Member for Franchise Evolution Partners; and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council at FOCUS.Member Name
Member Title
Members Listed Alphabetically Below
Kevin Berents
Head of Credit Research
Kevin is the Head of Credit Research for Public Trust where he is responsible for team management, issuer research and selection, macroeconomic research and analysis, and issuer and investor communication. Prior to joining Public Trust, Kevin worked in sell-side equities and institutional asset management. He also spent seven years as a Senior Legislative Staff Member in the U.S. Congress before transitioning to the investment sector. Kevin received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Colorado, Boulder, a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado, Denver, and completed studies toward a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia. He has passed Level II of the CFA program and is a member of the CFA Society of Colorado.Steve Dixon
Director, Senior Project Manager of Business Operations
Steve is the Director and Senior Project Manager of Business Operations for Public Trust where he serves as the corporate executive tasked with assessing and mitigating significant strategic, operational, reputational, compliance, and technological threats that could put the company’s productivity and profitability at risk. He oversees the management and guidance of the risk management framework by reviewing, quantifying, and mitigating risk throughout the firm. Additionally, Steve oversees many of the firm’s business activities as they relate to compliance, client services, and business planning. Prior to joining Public Trust, Steve served as a Vice President of Business Development at Cutwater Asset Management where he was responsible for business development, sales support, and client servicing. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York at New Paltz and is a volunteer firefighter for his local community.Kris Downs
Human Resources Director
Kris is the Human Resources Director for Public Trust where she is responsible for the firms’ human resources function including recruiting, benefits, compensation, employee relations, and development of workplace culture. Kris brings over 15 years of human resources experience with her as both a generalist and a specialist in recruiting, benefits, and compensation. Prior to joining Public Trust, Kris was the Human Resources Director for Rush Soccer. Additionally, while at Rush Soccer, she served as the Outreach Director where she oversaw the humanitarian program, repurposing soccer gear to youth around the world. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Kris also received certification as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from SHRM.Sandra Fitzgerald
Chief Financial Officer
Sandra is the Chief Financial Officer and Head of Human Resources for Public Trust where she oversees the administrative, financial, and human resource operations for the company. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, budgeting, operational oversight, and senior corporate compliance responsibilities. Prior to joining Public Trust, Sandra served as the Chief Financial Officer for InReach where she oversaw agency revenue growth of nearly 250% and a tripling of the workforce. Earlier in her career, she served as Director of Accounts Receivable for Easter Seals UCP of North Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado, Boulder and is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte.Jen Gosselin
VP, Client Services and Operations
Jen is a Vice President of Client Services and Operations for Public Trust where she is responsible for the management of the client onboarding process, provides hands-on training and support for clients, and develops and maintains relationships with key administrators. She has more than twenty years of industry experience in fixed-income securities for local government entities, trade settlements, repurchase agreements, portfolio oversight, and accounting operations. Prior to joining Public Trust, Jen worked with Cutwater Asset Management as an Assistant Vice President where she worked with portfolio management to set up new accounts, monitored trade settlements, and placed daily repurchase agreement trades. Jen received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting from Columbia College.John Grady
Managing Director, Partner
John is a Managing Director and Partner of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust and has more than twenty years of government, investment management, and public finance experience serving as an investment advisor for fixed-income assets for numerous public entities across the U.S. John’s diverse client base throughout his career includes state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, higher education, water districts, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and special districts. His specific areas of expertise include investment program implementation with a full-scope treasury management approach; public finance debt transactions and bond proceeds investment strategies; development of cash flow models; and creating investment reports to meet industry and client-specific requirements. John is also a frequent speaker for the national, state, and local chapters of the GFOA. Prior to joining Public Trust, John served as the Vice President of Investment Advisory and Client Relationships for government and institutional clients at Cutwater Asset Management and as a Senior Managing Consultant with PFM Asset Management where he provided asset management and financial advisory services for public entities. John received both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Insurance and a Minor in Economics as well a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.Thomas Jordan
Managing Director, Partner
Tom serves as a Managing Director and Partner and Chairman Emeritus for Public Trust. In his role as Managing Partner, he chairs the Board of Managers and provides leadership and guidance across the firm to add value and create efficiencies for our clients. Prior, Tom served as Public Trust’s Chief Executive Officer. Over the past decade, he has been responsible for the overall management of the firm and supervising all business activities. Under Tom’s leadership, Public Trust has become a nationwide investment firm serving nearly 6,000 state and local government clients nationwide. At the most recent yearend, Public Trust has once again continued its growth achieving new successes including record assets under management. Tom received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Marketing from Mercy College and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Management from Fordham University. Throughout Tom’s career, he has been an executive leader having held both corporate and start-up board positions. Tom has led several community-based initiatives and remains active in several municipal government and school business financial organizations. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tom was a Managing Director and Head of Sales and Marketing for two national diversified investment management firms. Responsible for the development of efficient programs for state and local governments, Tom focused on supporting clients to manage their short-term investments, operating cash, and bond proceeds more effectively. Tom’s management tenure also includes years of banking experience on operational, product development, and national distribution efforts.Christa Kronquist
Director of Operations
Christa currently serves as the Director of Operations for Public Trust Advisors where she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of client services and fund accounting, the coordination of the annual audits of the various Public Trust-managed LGIPs nationwide, and the preparation of the annual reports. Since joining Public Trust in 2014, Christa has served in a variety of roles including Vice President of Operations and Assistant Vice President of Client Services and Fund Accounting. Prior to joining Public Trust, Christa worked for State Street Bank and Trust as an Assistant Vice President where she managed daily operations for a variety of mutual fund clients and coordinated annual audits. Christa received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.Randy Palomba, CFA®
Managing Director, Partner
Randy is a Managing Director and Partner for Public Trust and has been with the firm since inception as a founding member. With over thirty years of industry experience, he provides seasoned leadership to both the credit and portfolio management teams. Randy offers support and training to members of the team and participates in the development and implementation of portfolio strategy. He has held a variety of positions including Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President of Public Trust Advisors. Randy currently serves as a Senior Relationship Manager to many of the investment boards nationwide. Prior to joining Public Trust, Randy served as a Director for MBIA/Cutwater Asset Management where he managed several local government investment pools and separately managed accounts. He also previously worked for the City & County of Denver in a variety of positions that included cash management and debt-service functions. Randy received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Western State Colorado University. He is a CFA® charterholder, an Investment Advisor Representative, and a member of CFA Society Colorado.Peter Rizzo
Director of Pooled Investment Services
Peter is the Director of Pooled Investment Services for Public Trust where he is responsible for new business development as well as the management of the National Sales team. Prior to joining Public Trust, Peter spent nearly thirty years working for S&P Global Ratings as a Managing Director and Analytical Manager within their Fund Ratings Group. In this role, he managed a global team of analysts and oversaw the ratings of more than 600 mutual funds including 85 local government investment pools. Peter received both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York.Acacia Scavone
Chief Marketing Officer
Acacia is the Chief Marketing Officer for Public Trust where she manages the Marketing Department and oversees the internal and external branding of the firm. She focuses on strategic marketing initiatives; brand compliance; digital marketing; and the implementation of newly designed marketing campaigns. She is responsible for website enhancements and marketing software implementation. Additionally, she manages firmwide advertising, over 200 event marketing activities annually, and the overall email marketing strategy. Before joining Public Trust full time, Acacia began as a Marketing Intern then served as the Marketing Coordinator. She previously worked as a manager in the retail industry where she oversaw the visual displays of products, the brand, and set performance goals for her team. Acacia received both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a Master of Science in Marketing with a focus on Brand Communications from the University of Colorado, Denver.Matt Starr
Managing Director of Client Relations
Matt is the Managing Director of Client Relations for Public Trust. He serves as the key contact and fund administrator for all local government investment pool (LGIP) clients as well as members of the boards of trustees nationwide. Over the past decade, Matt has been instrumental in the firm’s development and implementation of all investment products. Matt’s stewardship of and contribution to operational oversite, sales support, marketing, and client relations has assisted the firm in enhancing client satisfaction, leading to increased new business activity all while growing assets under management. In addition to his client relationship responsibilities, Matt supervises the Public Trust Marketing Department and actively provides mentorship both within the department and across the firm to better serve our clients. Prior to joining the firm, Matt served as a key member of the administrative and marketing teams for two nationally known investment firms where he was responsible for the professional oversite of more than a dozen investment programs nationwide. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Pace University. He is an active member of the New York State Association of School Business Officials and the New York State Government Finance Officers Association.Brian Sugrue
Chief Information Officer
Brian is the Chief Information Officer for Public Trust where he is responsible for overseeing the organization’s technical infrastructure, initiating strategic planning, and leveraging state of the art technology to advance strategic goals and objectives. Prior to joining Public Trust, Brian most recently served as a Managing Director for Cutter Associates where he was responsible for utilizing technical solutions to mitigate operational risk, increase efficiencies, and gain scale for a number of foundational clients. Brian additionally served as a Vice President and Business Manager for the Investment Administration department at Wellington Management Company where he designed and delivered cost-effective, high-performance technology and business solutions in support of domestic and international growth. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Finance from Suffolk University.Tom Tight
Managing Director, Partner
Tom is a Managing Director and Partner for Public Trust where he leads the investment advisory practice. He works closely with clients to provide portfolio strategy solutions based on their unique investment guidelines, cash flows, and risk tolerances. He also serves as a liaison between the client and the Portfolio Management and Credit Research teams. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tom worked at Cutwater Asset Management for ten years where he was responsible for business development nationwide and specialized in public-sector and insurance company asset management solutions. He also worked in the fixed-income sector for both UBS PaineWebber and A.G. Edwards & Sons where he specialized in fixed-income portfolio management, structured fixed-income products, and public finance transactions. Tom received both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University. He is a corporate affiliate advisory member for the National Association of State Treasurers and a member of the Government Finance Officers Association.Neil Waud, CFA®
Chief Investment Officer
Neil is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for Public Trust, a position he has held for the past five years. As CIO, Neil is responsible for the development and implementation of firmwide investment strategy as well as the oversight of the portfolio management team. Previously, he has served as both a Director and a Senior Portfolio Manager for Public Trust where his focus was on the management of local government investment pools and select separately managed accounts. Neil is a skilled speaker, writer, and market commentator whose experience has covered the country. Prior to joining Public Trust, Neil worked for Cutwater Asset Management as both a Vice President and Portfolio Manager. His responsibilities were focused primarily on the management of the separately managed accounts. Neil received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a CFA charterholder and an Investment Advisor Representative.Jen Welsh
General Counsel & CCO
Jen Welsh is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Public Trust where she oversees the legal and compliance functions for the firm. Jen has extensive experience in legal and regulatory compliance for investment advisers and investment funds. Prior to joining Public Trust Advisors, Jen was General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Myriad Asset Management and previously held in-house legal and compliance leadership roles at ALPS Fund Services and Boulder Funds. She also served as Attorney-Adviser to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Denver Regional Office, Division of Examinations, and as an associate at law firm, Davis, Graham & Stubbs. Jen received a Bachelor of Science from the Tulane University and a J.D, from University of Denver, Sturm College of Law.Member Name
Member Title
Business Operations
The Business Operations Department includes human resources, compliance, administration, and accounting. The department creates and oversees policies and procedures; implements new business development; ensures the firm is operating under set guidelines, laws, and regulations; and reviews internal and external communications.
Todd Alton, CFA®
Chief Executive Officer
Todd is Public Trust’s Chief Executive Officer appointed unanimously by the Board of Managers. Prior to becoming CEO, Todd served as the President of Public Trust where he was responsible for establishing short- and long-term objectives for the firm; presiding over the workforce; and ensuring proper resource allocation that empowered all departments to meet their goals and, thereby, collectively achieve the firm’s objectives. Todd previously worked for Public Trust in various capacities and across all functions during the early formative years of the business. His extensive background uniquely qualifies Todd for his current role. Operationally, Todd helped fully develop and professionalize the credit research department; expand the portfolio management department’s strategic capabilities; and focus the business on automating workflow processes. In addition, Todd has been instrumental in the development of key client relationships and has consistently represented the brand as a keynote speaker and subject matter expert. Prior to Public Trust, Todd most recently served as a Managing Director for Bear Creek Asset Management where he helped develop and expand their Private Equity platform and manage other elements of the firm. Over the past two decades, Todd led and managed business units and teams in such sectors as banking, investment banking, and structured finance. During tenures at CCB Corp and Piper Jaffray, Todd held roles in institutional bond sales, trading, asset liability management, and investment portfolio management. After the 2007 Financial Crisis, Todd led a unit of structured finance and commercial real estate experts at Frederick Ross-Asset Advisory Alliance. His team focused on providing tranche-level assessments to special servicers of CMBS securities. He also served in public sector roles at both the FDIC and Federal Reserve where he was responsible for resolving failed banks; participating in material loss reviews; and was a subject matter expert in the areas of capital markets, interest rate risk, and commercial real estate lending. Todd received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arkansas, is a CFA® charterholder, and a member of CFA Society Colorado. He is an active member of Legatus Denver; an Economic Development Council Member for the Downtown Denver Partnership; an Advisory Board Member for Franchise Evolution Partners; and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council at FOCUS.Steve Dixon
Director, Senior Project Manager of Business Operations
Steve is the Director and Senior Project Manager of Business Operations for Public Trust where he serves as the corporate executive tasked with assessing and mitigating significant strategic, operational, reputational, compliance, and technological threats that could put the company’s productivity and profitability at risk. He oversees the management and guidance of the risk management framework by reviewing, quantifying, and mitigating risk throughout the firm. Additionally, Steve oversees many of the firm’s business activities as they relate to compliance, client services, and business planning. Prior to joining Public Trust, Steve served as a Vice President of Business Development at Cutwater Asset Management where he was responsible for business development, sales support, and client servicing. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York at New Paltz and is a volunteer firefighter for his local community.Kris Downs
Human Resources Director
Kris is the Human Resources Director for Public Trust where she is responsible for the firms’ human resources function including recruiting, benefits, compensation, employee relations, and development of workplace culture. Kris brings over 15 years of human resources experience with her as both a generalist and a specialist in recruiting, benefits, and compensation. Prior to joining Public Trust, Kris was the Human Resources Director for Rush Soccer. Additionally, while at Rush Soccer, she served as the Outreach Director where she oversaw the humanitarian program, repurposing soccer gear to youth around the world. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Kris also received certification as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from SHRM.Sandra Fitzgerald
Chief Financial Officer
Sandra is the Chief Financial Officer and Head of Human Resources for Public Trust where she oversees the administrative, financial, and human resource operations for the company. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, budgeting, operational oversight, and senior corporate compliance responsibilities. Prior to joining Public Trust, Sandra served as the Chief Financial Officer for InReach where she oversaw agency revenue growth of nearly 250% and a tripling of the workforce. Earlier in her career, she served as Director of Accounts Receivable for Easter Seals UCP of North Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado, Boulder and is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte.Jen Gosselin
VP, Client Services and Operations
Jen is a Vice President of Client Services and Operations for Public Trust where she is responsible for the management of the client onboarding process, provides hands-on training and support for clients, and develops and maintains relationships with key administrators. She has more than twenty years of industry experience in fixed-income securities for local government entities, trade settlements, repurchase agreements, portfolio oversight, and accounting operations. Prior to joining Public Trust, Jen worked with Cutwater Asset Management as an Assistant Vice President where she worked with portfolio management to set up new accounts, monitored trade settlements, and placed daily repurchase agreement trades. Jen received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting from Columbia College.Matt Starr
Managing Director of Client Relations
Matt is the Managing Director of Client Relations for Public Trust. He serves as the key contact and fund administrator for all local government investment pool (LGIP) clients as well as members of the boards of trustees nationwide. Over the past decade, Matt has been instrumental in the firm’s development and implementation of all investment products. Matt’s stewardship of and contribution to operational oversite, sales support, marketing, and client relations has assisted the firm in enhancing client satisfaction, leading to increased new business activity all while growing assets under management. In addition to his client relationship responsibilities, Matt supervises the Public Trust Marketing Department and actively provides mentorship both within the department and across the firm to better serve our clients. Prior to joining the firm, Matt served as a key member of the administrative and marketing teams for two nationally known investment firms where he was responsible for the professional oversite of more than a dozen investment programs nationwide. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Pace University. He is an active member of the New York State Association of School Business Officials and the New York State Government Finance Officers Association.Danielle Buell
Controller and Operations Analyst
Danielle is a Controller and Operations Analyst for Public Trust where she is responsible for corporate accounting, budgeting, financial planning and analysis, vendor management functions, staff training assistance, internal auditing, and control analysis and support. Prior to joining Public Trust, Danielle served as Vice President for Grab & Buell where she was responsible for accounting, tax, and financial services for businesses of all corporate structure types. She also previously served as First Vice President for Ambac Financial Group and as Assistant Controller of North America for Computer Associates Inc. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. Joseph’s College.Nick Palomba
Accountant
Nick currently serves as an Accountant for Public Trust where he is responsible for accounts receivable, asset reconciliation for separately managed account clients, and various other operational accounting tasks. Prior to joining Public Trust, Nick worked for Blue Sky Neurology as a Registered Electroencephalogram Technologist where he performed EEG tests, provided excellent care to patients, collaborated with doctors and providers regarding patient care, and developed policies and procedures for the EEG department. Nick received an Associate Degree of Science in Neurodiagnostic from the Community College of Denver and a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Colorado State University – Global CampusNorika Zehnder
Senior Compliance Analyst
Norika is a Compliance Analyst for Public Trust. In her role, she provides compliance support across various business functions with a key focus on vendor management and code of ethics administration; she oversees/reviews marketing materials, runs compliance tests, and continues to build on the development of compliance policies and procedures for the firm. Prior to joining Public Trust, Norika worked as a Compliance and Operations Analyst for Cambiar Investors where she oversaw their code of ethics administration. She was also an Executive Assistant at Freeman Spogli & Co. She received a Bachelor of Music with a focus on Vocal Performance from Johns Hopkins University.Jen Welsh
General Counsel & CCO
Jen Welsh is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Public Trust where she oversees the legal and compliance functions for the firm. Jen has extensive experience in legal and regulatory compliance for investment advisers and investment funds. Prior to joining Public Trust Advisors, Jen was General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Myriad Asset Management and previously held in-house legal and compliance leadership roles at ALPS Fund Services and Boulder Funds. She also served as Attorney-Adviser to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Denver Regional Office, Division of Examinations, and as an associate at law firm, Davis, Graham & Stubbs. Jen received a Bachelor of Science from the Tulane University and a J.D, from University of Denver, Sturm College of Law.Brittany Hayward
Human Resources & Office Administrator
Brittany is the Human Resources and Office Administrator for Public Trust where she is responsible for the management of office requests, coordinating administrative activities, handling firm correspondence, scheduling meetings, and organizing events. Additionally, Brittany provides support in tasks related to recruitment, employee onboarding, personnel record retention and maintenance, and administering benefits. Before joining Public Trust, Brittany held the position of Human Resources Ambassador at Eppstein Uhen Architects, where she was responsible for assisting the firm conduct activities to meet various office requirements and event planning in addition to being the primary point of contact for all employee relations tasks.Ryan Stibich
Compliance Manager
Ryan is a Compliance Manager for Public Trust Advisors. In his role, he provides compliance support across various business functions with a key focus on marketing and firmwide compliance. He oversees/reviews marketing materials, runs compliance tests, and continues to build on the development of compliance policies and procedures for the firm. He previously served as a senior consultant focused on servicing various Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) with complex compliance needs and was the CCO/Operations Manager for a Denver-based RIA that catered to non-profit organizations and retail clients. In this capacity, he effectively synchronized the organization’s compliance requirements while ensuring efficient business operations. Ryan has been a mentor through Minds Matter Colorado, an organization that focuses on college preparedness for exceptional students in underserved communities. He received a Bachelor of Finance from Rider University and obtained his CIPM through the CFA Institute.Susan Nguyen, CFA®
Senior Compliance Analyst
Susan is a Senior Compliance Analyst for Public Trust Advisors. In her role, she provides compliance support across various business functions with a key focus on trading compliance. She ensures portfolio management and trading activities comply with all relevant regulations and client requirements, runs compliance tests, and continues to build on the development of compliance policies and procedures for the firm. In her previous role, Susan served as a Senior Guideline Monitoring Analyst, supporting portfolio management processes and collaborating with cross-functional teams to maintain compliance with relevant regulations and client investment guidelines. Susan received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Roger Williams University and a Master of Science in Finance/MBA from Northeastern University. She is a CFA charterholder.Client Services
The Client Services Department includes two teams, client service and fund accounting. Client service is responsible for new client onboarding and registration, executing all participant transactions, client reporting, and responding to client emails and phone calls. The fund accounting team is responsible for daily valuation of LGIPs, trades, and financial reporting.
Christa Kronquist
Director of Operations
Christa currently serves as the Director of Operations for Public Trust Advisors where she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of client services and fund accounting, the coordination of the annual audits of the various Public Trust-managed LGIPs nationwide, and the preparation of the annual reports. Since joining Public Trust in 2014, Christa has served in a variety of roles including Vice President of Operations and Assistant Vice President of Client Services and Fund Accounting. Prior to joining Public Trust, Christa worked for State Street Bank and Trust as an Assistant Vice President where she managed daily operations for a variety of mutual fund clients and coordinated annual audits. Christa received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.Tegan Kmack
Lead Fund Accountant
Tegan is the Lead Fund Accountant for Public Trust where she is responsible for the training and assistance of new employees on the Fund Accounting side of the Client Service department, daily operations of local government investment pool funds, and the monthly maintenance of separately managed accounts clients. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tegan worked for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as a Centralized Processor where she performed accounting for real estate transactions to ensure realtors were paid at closing and audited their files for both completeness and compliance. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Northern Arizona University.Alicja Emsbach
Fund Accountant
Alicja is a Fund Accountant in Client Services for Public Trust where she is responsible for generating weekly ratings’ filings, reviewing and approving monthly client billings, helping to onboard new clients, overseeing daily accounting processes for the local government investment pools (LGIP), and assisting with the preparation of monthly and quarterly reporting for the annual LGIP audits. She also performs monthly asset reconciliations for separately managed account (SMA) clients, resolves outstanding reconciling items, and prepares and distributes custom SMA reports. Prior to joining Public Trust, Alicja served as a Hedge Fund Accountant for State Street where she prepared daily cash, position, and market value reconciliations, made sure all assets were priced correctly, and processed subscriptions, redemptions, and cash flows. She received a Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovations in Economics from Cracow University of Economics.Luis Gutierrez
Client Services Associate
Luis is a Client Service Associate for Public Trust where he completes any client requests sent including account transactions, account changes, and account registrations in a timely manner. He is responsible for providing an exceptional participant experience via phone, email, mail, or fax. Prior to joining Public Trust, Luis most recently worked for Revenue Enterprises, LLC, as a Training and Development Coordinator, where he trained all new hires on their team specific systems and the medical billing process. Luis was previously a Billing Manager at Revenue Enterprises, LLC where he supervised a team of ten for a CU Medicine client. Luis graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies.Lauren Ore
Client Services Associate
Lauren Ore is a Client Service Associate for Public Trust Advisors. She is responsible for managing customer inquiries, assisting with transactions, and helping with account openings. Previously, she worked at Ent Credit Union as a Member Service Representative, supporting both personal and business members, and as an EntRANCE Trainee, gaining experience in consumer and mortgage lending processes. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Colorado, Denver. Her education and experience in financial services equip her to effectively serve and understand diverse client needs.John Partin
Client Services Associate
John Partin is a Client Service Associate for Public Trust Advisors. He is responsible for processing updates to client accounts, verifying documents and information, and completing client requests, including account transactions, account changes, and registrations. Previously, John worked at U.S. Bank as a Client Relations Representative, focused primarily on small business services and lending. He has also served as a client service trainer for both sales and service. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Business from Auburn University. His business education and financial service industry experience equip John to effectively understand and implement diverse client needs.Matt Laboda
Fund Accountant
Matt Laboda is a Fund Accountant for Public Trust Advisors. He is responsible for generating weekly ratings filings; reviewing and approving monthly client billings; overseeing daily accounting processes for the local government investment pools (LGIP); and assisting with the preparation of monthly and quarterly reporting for the annual LGIP audits. Previously, Matt worked at MG Stover, LLC as an Associate II – PE/VC where he reconciled bank activity, recorded cash transactions, prepared monthly and quarterly reporting, and prepared capital call and distribution calculations. Matt received a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance from Colorado State University. He additionally completed a study abroad program at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.Nikita Abanian
Client Service Associate
Nikita Abanian is a Client Service Associate for Public Trust Advisors. He is responsible for Processing updates to client accounts, verifying documents and information, and completing client requests, including account transactions, account changes, and registrations. Previously, Nikita worked at U.S. Bank as a Client Relationship Consultant, focused on opening and managing personal and small business accounts, identifying and accommodating clients’ lending needs, processing wire transfers, identifying fraud, and helping clients with digital banking. Nikita holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Finance from California State University, Fullerton.Gina Van Minnen
Client Service Associate
Gina Van Minnen is a Client Service Associate for Public Trust Advisors. She is responsible for serving clients via phone and email to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism while managing the account needs of local governments. Previously, Gina worked as a Senior Member Service Representative at Ent Credit Union, focused on financial coaching to help members with savings, debt repayment, and credit building. Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.National Accounts – LGIP
The LGIP National Accounts Department provides for the ongoing growth and development of the firm’s local government investment pool clients nationwide. This team is focused on providing our LGIPs with continued education, guidance, and advice to ensure that our clients’ expectations are exceeded throughout the course of our business relationships.
Peter Rizzo
Director of Pooled Investment Services
Peter is the Director of Pooled Investment Services for Public Trust where he is responsible for new business development as well as the management of the National Sales team. Prior to joining Public Trust, Peter spent nearly thirty years working for S&P Global Ratings as a Managing Director and Analytical Manager within their Fund Ratings Group. In this role, he managed a global team of analysts and oversaw the ratings of more than 600 mutual funds including 85 local government investment pools. Peter received both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York.Matt Starr
Managing Director of Client Relations
Matt is the Managing Director of Client Relations for Public Trust. He serves as the key contact and fund administrator for all local government investment pool (LGIP) clients as well as members of the boards of trustees nationwide. Over the past decade, Matt has been instrumental in the firm’s development and implementation of all investment products. Matt’s stewardship of and contribution to operational oversite, sales support, marketing, and client relations has assisted the firm in enhancing client satisfaction, leading to increased new business activity all while growing assets under management. In addition to his client relationship responsibilities, Matt supervises the Public Trust Marketing Department and actively provides mentorship both within the department and across the firm to better serve our clients. Prior to joining the firm, Matt served as a key member of the administrative and marketing teams for two nationally known investment firms where he was responsible for the professional oversite of more than a dozen investment programs nationwide. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Pace University. He is an active member of the New York State Association of School Business Officials and the New York State Government Finance Officers Association.Laura Glenn, CFA®
Senior Director, Investment Services
Laura is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is responsible for providing individually tailored and customized investment management, administrative, and advisory solutions to public sector entities across the U.S. Prior to joining Public Trust, Laura most recently served as a Portfolio Manager for the State of Georgia where she was responsible for the management of the State’s commingled LGIP, served on the Office of State Treasurer Investment Committee, and was the point person for fund distribution for hundreds of state and local government clients. Laura received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Auburn University and is a CFA charterholder. She is an active member and former president of the Government Investment Officers Association (GIOA) and a frequent expert panelist on LGIPs at the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) and GIOA Conferences. Laura led the states response to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) exposure draft on GASB Statement 79 regarding external investment pools and pool participants.Joel Friedman
Senior Director, Investment Services
Joel is a Senior Director of Investment Services at Public Trust where he focuses on offering investment advisory solutions to clients in the northeast region of the United States as well as business development for local government investment pools nationally. He is devoted to maintaining key relationships with various institutional funds and separately managed accounts. Prior to joining Public Trust, Joel most recently held the position of Senior Director at S&P Global Ratings in New York where he led their global fund ratings activities that represented more than $2 trillion of rated funds, EFTs, and separate accounts. He also assigned ratings and acted as a committee chair. Joel received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management from Pace University.Danielle Campbell
Sales and Relationship Management Associate
Danielle is a Sales and Relationship Management Associate for Public Trust where she provides support of the firm’s strategic sales initiatives through engagement with clients, continual interaction with the Relationship team, and by interfacing with the Client Services team. Additionally, Danielle is responsible for the planning, goal setting, and gathering of information to assist in the streamlining of processes cross departmentally. Prior to this role, Danielle held the position of Client Service Associate for Public Trust where she was responsible for the processing of incoming and outing fund transfers and the communication of cash flows to the Portfolio Management team while maintaining client update requests and inquires. Before joining Public Trust, Danielle worked for Transamerica as an Internal Wholesaler for mutual funds and at Jackson National as an Internal Wholesaler for retirement products. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Colorado at Denver. Danielle holds the FINRA Series 65 license and is an Investment Advisor Representative.Lyn Derway
Director, Investment Services
Lyn is a Director of Investment Services based in New York where she focuses on providing support to current clients, meeting with prospective clients, serving as a liaison to the local government investment pool board, and contributing to the overall strategies and planning for marketing. Prior to joining Public Trust, Lyn spent her entire career working with various school districts where she retired as the Assistant Superintendent of Business for the Brunswick Central School District in New York’s Capital Region. Additionally, Lyn previously served as a part-time interim school business official in several school districts. Lyn received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Science in Education Administration, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She holds permanent School District Administrator certification. Lyn serves as a board member for the Pupil Benefits Plan, Inc. and is an active member of the New York State Association of Business Officials, where she previously served as president.Kathy Saville
Director, Investment Services
Kathy is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in New York and is responsible for strengthening and preserving current relationships with municipal corporations in New York, upkeep of participant data, and expanding relations across the state. Prior to joining Public Trust, Kathy worked in the public sector for nearly 30 years as a Finance Director for city and town governments and serves as Director of Grants and Business Office for the Rochester City School District. In addition to serving on the NYCLASS Governing Board for ten years, including nine as Chairperson, Kathy is a member of the New York Government Finance Officers’ Association Governing Board, the New York Conference of Mayors, the New York State City/County Management Association, and the Association of School Business Officials of New York. She received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the State University of New York Empire State College as well as a Master in Public Administration and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Business Administration from SUNY College at Brockport. She is a certified School District Business Leader.Chris Starr
Director, Investment Services
Chris is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in New York and is responsible for developing new client relationships, preserving current relationships, and participating in statewide conferences for various government organizations on behalf of NYCLASS. Prior to joining Public Trust, Chris most recently served as a Vice President of Firmwide Reputation Risk at JPMorgan Chase where he safeguarded the firm’s reputation by reviewing and acting on potentially adverse escalations related to prospective clients and transaction activity primarily for capital markets. Chris had a long tenure with JPMorgan Chase where he also served as a Vice President of Wholesale Credit Risk Controllers & Analytics; in this role, he monitored and analyzed the firm’s $1 trillion of wholesale credit exposure and provided industry-specific portfolio updates to senior management. He received a Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University at University Park.Danny King
Director, Investment Services
Danny is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Texas where his responsibilities include new business development, sales, and customer service for the Texas CLASS program. He has experience working with clients across the entire state of Texas, developing business with local government finance officials by calling on cities, counties, and school districts. Prior to joining Public Trust, Danny has a background of working with the City of Austin and the Austin Chamber of Commerce for more than ten years. He has experience in business promotion and is an active member of a number of organizations including the Government Treasurers’ Organization of Texas, the County Treasurers Association of Texas, and the Texas Association of State Senior College and University Business Officers.Karen Proctor
Senior Director, Investment Services
Karen is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Texas where she is responsible for strengthening and preserving current relationships with Texas clients; new business development and cultivating new relationships; and participating, attending, and presenting at conferences across the state for many government organizations. Prior to joining Public Trust, she was a Managing Consultant with BLX Group, LLC where she focused on the business development of arbitrage rebate and post-issuance compliance services. Karen received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Bilingual Education and Spanish from California State University at San Bernardino. She is an active member of Texas Women in Public Finance, the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas, and the Texas Association of School Business Officials.Tony Sekaly
Director, Investment Services
Tony is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Texas and is responsible for current and future client relationships, client education, and speaking at a variety of conferences. Prior to joining Public Trust, he served as a Managing Director of Fixed Income Securities at Coastal Securities for nearly twenty-five years where he sold bonds to cities, counties, school districts, and special districts across six states. Tony received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Lamar University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He is a longtime member of the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT), the Government Treasurers of Texas, and the Gulf Coast Chapter of GFOAT.Zach Brewer
Director, Investment Services
Zach is a Director of Investment Services based in Texas where he is responsible for developing new participant relationships while providing customer service to current participants. Prior to this, Zach most recently served as Senior Vice President for FHN Financial where he executed fixed-income sales focusing on public funds, banks, and credit unions for clients’ portfolios ranging from $50 million to over $1 billion with depository portfolios over $3 billion. He has worked with more than 150 public fund clients in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida, North Carolina, and Iowa. He additionally served as Managing Director of Fixed-Income Securities for Coastal Securities. Zach received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance & Information and Operations Management from Texas A&M University. He is an active member of both the Government Finance Officers of Texas and GFOAT Gulf Coast, the Government Treasurers’ Organization of Texas, and a Committee Member for the Investment Academy Education Advisory Committee for the Texas Association of Counties. He currently holds the FINRA Series 7 and 63.Matt Tight
Senior Director, Investment Services
Matt is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Florida and is responsible for business development, investor relations, and client services. He works closely with clients’ staff to provide vital analytical resources including cash flow analysis, portfolio strategy recommendations, and investment report modeling. Matt also serves as a liaison between the client and the Portfolio Management team. Prior to joining Public Trust, Matt was a Regional Director of Institutional Sales at Cutwater Asset Management and held similar titles at Friedman, Billings and Ramsey, Inc and Timber Hill Inc. He received a Bachelor of Art in English from Pepperdine University and is a Certified Government Investment Professional.Kristin Angel
Senior Director, Investment Services
Kristin is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Michigan where she is responsible for business development, the management of current and future client relationships, and client education. Prior to joining Public Trust, she held the position of Business Development Manager at Lansing Community College where she was responsible for the initiation and maintenance of strong public and corporate relations across Michigan with a focus on strategic partnerships and leadership development. Kristin received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Communication and a minor in Management from Central Michigan University as well as a Master of Management degree from Davenport University. She is actively involved with the Michigan Association of County Treasurers, the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, and is a Board Member of the Michigan Women in Finance Board of Directors. Kristin is an Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager.Jeff Anderson
Senior Director, Investment Services
Jeff is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Michigan where he is responsible for strengthening and preserving current relationships, upkeep of participant data, and the further development of the program statewide. Prior to joining Public Trust, Jeff most recently served as the Finance Director for Delta Charter Township where his responsibilities included accounting, auditing, annual budget preparation, purchasing, portfolio management, and many other finance-related duties for the last 15 years. He additionally served as the Accounting Manager for Neogen Corporations. Jeff received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Western Michigan University. He is an active member of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers’ Association, the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, and the Knights of Columbus. Jeff has enjoyed teaching municipal budgeting classes for the MMTA and other municipal organizations over the last several years. He previously served on the Michigan CLASS Board of Trustees for six years.Adam McCauley
Director, Investment Services
Adam is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust where he is based in the Midwest region and travels the state of Indiana to meet with local government officials to offer an investment option for public funds. Additionally, Adam facilitates and maintains all bank relationships for Public Trust to develop and cultivate new and existing long-term partnerships with bank counterparties. Prior to joining Public Trust, Adam worked for Fifth Third Bank as an Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager where he provided customized wealth management solutions and collaborated with each client to generate tailored investment solutions. Adam received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Management from the University of Louisville as well as a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Indiana Wesleyan University.Dan Klus
Senior Director, Investment Services
Dan is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust where he is focused on offering investment advisory solutions including separately managed accounts, local government investment pools, administrative and client management services, and product development to public entities and clients in the Southeast Region of the U.S. Prior to joining Public Trust, he most recently served as a Senior Vice President for PMA Asset Management where he focused on creating and providing investment advisory solutions to public entities. Dan also previously worked for ClearArc Capital as a Regional Director of Business Development and RBC Global Asset Management as a Vice President on the Public Fund Services team. He is an active member of both the North Carolina and South Carolina Government Finance Officers Associations. Dan received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Management from Xavier University.Bob Shull
Senior Director, Investment Services
Bob is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in California where he is responsible for new product development, expanding client relationships across the state, and brand awareness. Prior to joining Public Trust, Bob most recently served as Director of Institutional Investment Management and Defined Contribution for PNC Bank/PNC Capital Advisors where he was responsible for all business development and relationship management activities for a six-person team. Bob additionally served as a Vice President of Institutional Retirement and Consultant Relations for Calvert Funds and as Director of Investment Consulting Services and Plan Consulting for Carlson Quinn. He is an active member of and financial services lead for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank as well as a member of the Catholic Youth Organization – East Bay Area. Bob received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Loyola Marymount University and currently holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses as well as the AIF® designation.Casey Gunning
Senior Director, Investment Services
Casey is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust where he is responsible for new business development, banking relationships and oversight of the distribution strategy, and client relationship management on behalf of COLOTRUST. Prior to joining Public Trust, Casey had a long tenure with UMB Bank, N.A. where he most recently served as a Senior Vice President of UMB’s Corporate Trust division. Over the years, he held various strategic roles in administration, management, and business development. Casey also served as a Vice President at Zions Bank, bringing with him a wealth of business and banking experience. Casey received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Metropolitan State University of Denver.Brett Parsons
Director, Investment Services
Brett is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Colorado and is responsible for the strengthening and preserving of current relationships with clients, cultivating new relationships, and participating in conferences across the state for many local government organizations. Prior to joining Public Trust, Brett held leadership positions at several school districts including the Director of Finance and Operations at Weld County School District RE-1 where he was responsible for accounting, budgeting, auditing, child nutrition, operations, and transportation; the Budget Director at Poudre School District where he was responsible for annual budget development, quarterly financial reporting, and portfolio management; and the Executive Director of Business Services at Troup Independent School District where he was responsible for accounting, budgeting, auditing, human resources, and payroll. Prior to entering the field of school finance, Brett served 6 years in the Texas Army National Guard where he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brett is an active member of the Colorado Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) and the Association of School Business Officials International. He previously served on the CASBO board for 4 years. He received both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from Lamar University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler.Crystal Lynn
Director, Investment Services
Crystal is a Director of Investment Services for California CLASS and is responsible for strengthening and preserving current client relationships, cultivating new relationships, and participating in conferences across the state for local government organizations. Prior to joining California CLASS, Crystal held several positions in the finance industry including Regional Account Manager at MetLife Business Retirement Plans specializing in defined contribution and deferred compensation, regulatory compliance, and investment education; Senior Finance Associate at Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services where she consulted in the areas of private client, corporate lines of credit, business retirement planning, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions; and Sales Assistant to the Managing Director of private client and wealth management at Bache-Halsey, Stuart & Shields. Crystal holds a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management as well as the FINRA Series 65 License. She volunteers in her free time serving meals and conducting financial literacy workshops at Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa.Justin Wycoff
Director, Investment Services
Justin is a Director of Investment Services for North Carolina CLASS and is responsible for strengthening and preserving current client relationships, cultivating new relationships, and participating in conferences across the state for local government organizations. Prior to joining North Carolina CLASS, Justin served as an institutional consultant for Fifth Third Bank where he consulted with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations to develop customized solutions focused on investment management, retirement plans, and custodial needs. He has also worked at Deloitte in the Audit and Enterprise Risk Services department. Mr. Wycoff earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Citadel. He is currently a steering committee member for Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS). He is an active member of the North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association (NCGFOA), NC Local Government Investment Association (NCLGIA), NC City and County Management Association (NCCCMA), NC Local Government Budget Association (NCLGBA) and the South Carolina Government Finance Officers Association (SCGFOA).Mac Langford
Sales Assistant
Mac Langford is a Sales Assistant for Public Trust Advisors. In his current role, Mac supports the national sales team by managing the pipeline and maintaining contact information for participants. Previously, he founded PhillySoles, a venture specializing in reselling sneakers, clothing, and collectibles. Prior to this, Mac served as a Banker at UMB Bank, where he assisted clients in achieving their financial objectives through various products and services, including Money Markets and CDs, as well as facilitating loan applications. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance from the University of South Carolina.Carrie Friedrich
Director, Investment Services
Carrie is a Director of Investment Services for Texas CLASS and is responsible for maintaining relationships with local government institutional investors regarding investment and public finance education opportunities related to LGIPs. Prior to joining Texas CLASS, she served as a Business Development manager, offering financial solutions to address the technical challenges of public and private sector building owners. She also held the role of Strategic Account Manager, working closely with municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals, assisting them in budgeting for capital construction projects, from planning to completion. Carrie received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Texas.National Accounts – SMA
The SMA National Accounts Department is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing the individual portfolio strategies for the firm’s separately managed account clients. The team works with numerous public entity clients and seeks to provide each with frequent interaction, professional advice, and exceptional service.
John Grady
Managing Director, Partner
John is a Managing Director and Partner of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust and has more than twenty years of government, investment management, and public finance experience serving as an investment advisor for fixed-income assets for numerous public entities across the U.S. John’s diverse client base throughout his career includes state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, higher education, water districts, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and special districts. His specific areas of expertise include investment program implementation with a full-scope treasury management approach; public finance debt transactions and bond proceeds investment strategies; development of cash flow models; and creating investment reports to meet industry and client-specific requirements. John is also a frequent speaker for the national, state, and local chapters of the GFOA. Prior to joining Public Trust, John served as the Vice President of Investment Advisory and Client Relationships for government and institutional clients at Cutwater Asset Management and as a Senior Managing Consultant with PFM Asset Management where he provided asset management and financial advisory services for public entities. John received both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Insurance and a Minor in Economics as well a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.Rod Bettini
Senior Director, Investment Services
Rod is a Senior Director of Investment Services for Public Trust based in Florida where he is responsible for business development and client relationships across the state. In this role, Rod provides clients with technical and analytical resources for treasury management and investment strategies. Before joining Public Trust, Rod most recently served as Director of Business & Program Development for the Milken Institute, a California based think-tank; he focused on developing and implementing their expansion into Latin America and served as point person to the region’s Family Office Principals, Pension Fund CIOs, and Fortune 100 corporate leaders. Rod received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida. Rod has been a featured speaker at regional, national, and global conferences for many organizations including the Government Finance Officers Association, the California Municipal Treasurers’ Association, and more. He is a proud member of the Local Government Hispanic Network, a regional Board Member of the National Academy Foundation, and serves as a LATAM Advisor to the Milken Institute. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.Steve Johnson
Director, Investment Services
Steve is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust where he focuses on the business development of separately managed accounts for public sector clients nationwide. Prior to joining Public Trust, Steve most recently held the position of Senior Vice President for Fidelity Institutional Asset Management where he was responsible for relationship management, sales and new business development, and overseeing the cash management portals. He also previously worked for both the Bank of New England and Shawmut Bank where he provided credit and cash management services to a variety of industries including municipalities, higher education, and healthcare. Steve received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Merrimack College, previously held the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 51 licenses, and is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP). He serves as a Board Member for the New England Association of Finance Professionals.Ash Mehta
Director, Investment Services
Ash is a Director of Investment Services for Public Trust where he focuses on offering investment advisory solutions to clients in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico; additionally, he is responsible for managing current client relationships and expanding the awareness of Public Trust products and services to current and potential clients. Prior to joining Public Trust, he most recently held the role of Capital Markets Executive for a private equity firm where he raised awareness of the fund and the opportunities to invest in non-correlated investment asset classes. He also previously worked for JRP Wealth Management as a Senior Analyst in Portfolio Management where he oversaw portfolio allocation and selected investment vehicles for high-net-worth families. Ash received a Bachelor of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Arizona State University. In 2021, Ash completed the Valley Leadership Ready Together Program focused on processing issues further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for our collective new reality, and providing the opportunity to solve these issues. He has passed Level I of the CFA program.Executive Team
The Executive Team is comprised of six seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience and market knowledge. The team has established a safe environment for collaboration, ensures an excellent client experience, and has a safety-first approach for investments. They continually seek growth opportunities for clients as well as staff, focusing on business enhancements and appropriate, strategic planning for the future.
Todd Alton, CFA®
Chief Executive Officer
Todd is Public Trust’s Chief Executive Officer appointed unanimously by the Board of Managers. Prior to becoming CEO, Todd served as the President of Public Trust where he was responsible for establishing short- and long-term objectives for the firm; presiding over the workforce; and ensuring proper resource allocation that empowered all departments to meet their goals and, thereby, collectively achieve the firm’s objectives. Todd previously worked for Public Trust in various capacities and across all functions during the early formative years of the business. His extensive background uniquely qualifies Todd for his current role. Operationally, Todd helped fully develop and professionalize the credit research department; expand the portfolio management department’s strategic capabilities; and focus the business on automating workflow processes. In addition, Todd has been instrumental in the development of key client relationships and has consistently represented the brand as a keynote speaker and subject matter expert. Prior to Public Trust, Todd most recently served as a Managing Director for Bear Creek Asset Management where he helped develop and expand their Private Equity platform and manage other elements of the firm. Over the past two decades, Todd led and managed business units and teams in such sectors as banking, investment banking, and structured finance. During tenures at CCB Corp and Piper Jaffray, Todd held roles in institutional bond sales, trading, asset liability management, and investment portfolio management. After the 2007 Financial Crisis, Todd led a unit of structured finance and commercial real estate experts at Frederick Ross-Asset Advisory Alliance. His team focused on providing tranche-level assessments to special servicers of CMBS securities. He also served in public sector roles at both the FDIC and Federal Reserve where he was responsible for resolving failed banks; participating in material loss reviews; and was a subject matter expert in the areas of capital markets, interest rate risk, and commercial real estate lending. Todd received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arkansas, is a CFA® charterholder, and a member of CFA Society Colorado. He is an active member of Legatus Denver; an Economic Development Council Member for the Downtown Denver Partnership; an Advisory Board Member for Franchise Evolution Partners; and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council at FOCUS.John Grady
Managing Director, Partner
John is a Managing Director and Partner of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust and has more than twenty years of government, investment management, and public finance experience serving as an investment advisor for fixed-income assets for numerous public entities across the U.S. John’s diverse client base throughout his career includes state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, higher education, water districts, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and special districts. His specific areas of expertise include investment program implementation with a full-scope treasury management approach; public finance debt transactions and bond proceeds investment strategies; development of cash flow models; and creating investment reports to meet industry and client-specific requirements. John is also a frequent speaker for the national, state, and local chapters of the GFOA. Prior to joining Public Trust, John served as the Vice President of Investment Advisory and Client Relationships for government and institutional clients at Cutwater Asset Management and as a Senior Managing Consultant with PFM Asset Management where he provided asset management and financial advisory services for public entities. John received both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and Insurance and a Minor in Economics as well a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.Thomas Jordan
Managing Director, Partner
Tom serves as a Managing Director and Partner and Chairman Emeritus for Public Trust. In his role as Managing Partner, he chairs the Board of Managers and provides leadership and guidance across the firm to add value and create efficiencies for our clients. Prior, Tom served as Public Trust’s Chief Executive Officer. Over the past decade, he has been responsible for the overall management of the firm and supervising all business activities. Under Tom’s leadership, Public Trust has become a nationwide investment firm serving nearly 6,000 state and local government clients nationwide. At the most recent yearend, Public Trust has once again continued its growth achieving new successes including record assets under management. Tom received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Marketing from Mercy College and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Management from Fordham University. Throughout Tom’s career, he has been an executive leader having held both corporate and start-up board positions. Tom has led several community-based initiatives and remains active in several municipal government and school business financial organizations. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tom was a Managing Director and Head of Sales and Marketing for two national diversified investment management firms. Responsible for the development of efficient programs for state and local governments, Tom focused on supporting clients to manage their short-term investments, operating cash, and bond proceeds more effectively. Tom’s management tenure also includes years of banking experience on operational, product development, and national distribution efforts.Randy Palomba, CFA®
Managing Director, Partner
Randy is a Managing Director and Partner for Public Trust and has been with the firm since inception as a founding member. With over thirty years of industry experience, he provides seasoned leadership to both the credit and portfolio management teams. Randy offers support and training to members of the team and participates in the development and implementation of portfolio strategy. He has held a variety of positions including Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President of Public Trust Advisors. Randy currently serves as a Senior Relationship Manager to many of the investment boards nationwide. Prior to joining Public Trust, Randy served as a Director for MBIA/Cutwater Asset Management where he managed several local government investment pools and separately managed accounts. He also previously worked for the City & County of Denver in a variety of positions that included cash management and debt-service functions. Randy received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Western State Colorado University. He is a CFA® charterholder, an Investment Advisor Representative, and a member of CFA Society Colorado.Tom Tight
Managing Director, Partner
Tom is a Managing Director and Partner for Public Trust where he leads the investment advisory practice. He works closely with clients to provide portfolio strategy solutions based on their unique investment guidelines, cash flows, and risk tolerances. He also serves as a liaison between the client and the Portfolio Management and Credit Research teams. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tom worked at Cutwater Asset Management for ten years where he was responsible for business development nationwide and specialized in public-sector and insurance company asset management solutions. He also worked in the fixed-income sector for both UBS PaineWebber and A.G. Edwards & Sons where he specialized in fixed-income portfolio management, structured fixed-income products, and public finance transactions. Tom received both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University. He is a corporate affiliate advisory member for the National Association of State Treasurers and a member of the Government Finance Officers Association.Portfolio Management
The Portfolio Management Department focuses on preserving clients’ principal and providing sufficient liquidity while implementing investment strategies that earn a competitive rate of return. The portfolio management team continuously monitors portfolio positions to ensure compliance with clients’ risk tolerances and investment objectives.
Randy Palomba, CFA®
Managing Director, Partner
Randy is a Managing Director and Partner for Public Trust and has been with the firm since inception as a founding member. With over thirty years of industry experience, he provides seasoned leadership to both the credit and portfolio management teams. Randy offers support and training to members of the team and participates in the development and implementation of portfolio strategy. He has held a variety of positions including Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President of Public Trust Advisors. Randy currently serves as a Senior Relationship Manager to many of the investment boards nationwide. Prior to joining Public Trust, Randy served as a Director for MBIA/Cutwater Asset Management where he managed several local government investment pools and separately managed accounts. He also previously worked for the City & County of Denver in a variety of positions that included cash management and debt-service functions. Randy received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Western State Colorado University. He is a CFA® charterholder, an Investment Advisor Representative, and a member of CFA Society Colorado.Cory Gebel, CFA®
Director, Portfolio Management
Cory is a Director in Portfolio Management for Public Trust and is responsible for providing institutional portfolio management and investment advisory services to discretionary clients as well as communicating investment ideas and strategies. Before joining Public Trust, Cory worked for Bank of the West and Trust Point, Inc. as a Senior Portfolio Manager where he was the head of fixed-income strategy within the wealth management group overseeing strategy, trading, compliance, and surveillance over client assets. Cory received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa. He is a CFA charterholder, an Investment Advisor Representative, and a member of the CFA Society of Colorado.Mark Creger
Director, Portfolio Management
Mark is a Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for Public Trust where he is responsible for providing daily portfolio management oversight and investment advisory services for strategic clients in California and nationwide. He joined Public Trust in 2016 in conjunction with the acquisition of the BLX Group Investment Management, where he served as the Chief Investment Officer, and brought with him more than 18 years of experience working with public agencies and 501(c)(3) organizations to develop customized portfolio management strategies for operating funds, reserve funds, and bond proceeds. Mark received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He is an Investment Advisor Representative, has passed Level II of the CFA program, and previously held FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 63, and 66 licenses.Manuel San Luis
Vice President and Portfolio Manager
Manuel is a Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Public Trust where he is responsible for the development and execution of portfolio strategy. He works closely with portfolio management to review market conditions and manage client portfolios in accordance with pre-established policy, statutes, and strategic guidelines. Prior to joining Public Trust in conjunction with the firm’s acquisition of the BLX Group’s Investment Management team, Manuel served as a Senior Portfolio Analyst at BLX. His role on the investment management team included assisting with the daily execution of ongoing portfolio management for approximately $1.1 billion in public fund portfolios. Manuel received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, has passed level II of the CFA Program, and is an Investment Advisor Representative.Sean Fitzgerald
Portfolio Manager
Sean is a Portfolio Manager for Public Trust where he is responsible for identifying various investment opportunities in the fixed-income markets, analyzing market and economic conditions, and assisting in the development and execution of portfolio strategy. Within the company, he previously served as a Senior Credit Analyst on the Public Trust Credit Team where his primary area of focus pertained to analyzing and monitoring international financial institutions. Sean spent time in Paris, France, where he studied business activities, international finance, economic policy, corporate culture, and legal and political systems. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a dual concentration on Finance and International Business from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has passed Level I of the CFA Program.Carter Genoar
Credit Trader
Carter is a Credit Trader for Public Trust in the Portfolio Management Department where he supports the firm’s portfolio managers in the development and execution of the investment strategies on behalf of Public Trust clients. His focus is on identifying investment opportunities in fixed-income markets and coordinating with the Credit Research Department to identify relative value opportunities. Prior to this role, Carter began his tenure at Public Trust as an analyst in the Credit Research Department covering U.S. and international banks. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Finance and a minor in Economics from the University of Denver. Carter has passed Level II of the CFA Program.Neil Waud, CFA®
Chief Investment Officer
Neil is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for Public Trust, a position he has held for the past five years. As CIO, Neil is responsible for the development and implementation of firmwide investment strategy as well as the oversight of the portfolio management team. Previously, he has served as both a Director and a Senior Portfolio Manager for Public Trust where his focus was on the management of local government investment pools and select separately managed accounts. Neil is a skilled speaker, writer, and market commentator whose experience has covered the country. Prior to joining Public Trust, Neil worked for Cutwater Asset Management as both a Vice President and Portfolio Manager. His responsibilities were focused primarily on the management of the separately managed accounts. Neil received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a CFA charterholder and an Investment Advisor Representative.John Lynn
Portfolio Analyst
John is a Portfolio Analyst for Public Trust in the Portfolio Management Department where he supports the firm’s portfolio managers in the development and execution of portfolio strategy, as well as managing daily trade operations. Prior to this role, John held the position of Analyst at Credit Suisse where he supported the management, distribution, and external feeds for financial securities data used across the firm. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has passed Level I of the CFA Program.Credit
The Credit Department is responsible for the fundamental analysis of investment counterparties and management of related risks. Team members focus on analyzing trends/data to prioritize risk associated with various fixed-income securities. Using many tools and techniques, the team strives to stay ahead of the market and protect client assets.
Kevin Berents
Head of Credit Research
Kevin is the Head of Credit Research for Public Trust where he is responsible for team management, issuer research and selection, macroeconomic research and analysis, and issuer and investor communication. Prior to joining Public Trust, Kevin worked in sell-side equities and institutional asset management. He also spent seven years as a Senior Legislative Staff Member in the U.S. Congress before transitioning to the investment sector. Kevin received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Colorado, Boulder, a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado, Denver, and completed studies toward a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia. He has passed Level II of the CFA program and is a member of the CFA Society of Colorado.Patrick Edler, CFA®
Senior Credit Analyst
Patrick is a Senior Credit Analyst for Public Trust where he is responsible for covering and providing counterparty research and analysis for companies in which portfolio management may invest. His sectors include corporates (industrials, technology, and insurance), government-sponsored enterprises, and municipals. Prior to joining Public Trust, Patrick most recently held the position of Financial Planning Analyst for AMG National Trust Bank where he conducted planning and analysis to provide tax, estate, and investment strategy advice to ultra-high net worth individuals and college endowments. Patrick additionally worked for Allianz Global Automotive China as a Summer Analyst where he conducted in-depth market research on the Chinese auto insurance and manufacturing sector. He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Colorado State University and is a CFA charterholder.Taylor Budrow, CFA®
Senior Credit Analyst
Taylor is a Senior Credit Analyst for Public Trust where he is responsible for providing credit research and counterparty evaluation within the global banking sector. Prior to joining Public Trust, Taylor most recently held the position of Associate Director at S&P Global where he evaluated and assigned credit ratings to a variety of fixed-income securities and served as a municipal credit analyst for the Midwest and Central region issuers. Taylor received a Bachelor of Business Administrator in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and is a CFA charterholderJohnny Combs
Credit Research Analyst
Johnny is a Credit Research Analyst for Public Trust where he is responsible for covering the following corporate sectors: automotive, pharmaceutical, consumer, life insurance, and asset managers. He analyzes trends and data to prioritize risk associated with a range of fixed-income securities. Prior to joining Public Trust, Johnny most recently worked for Partners Group where he was the project manager of several private equity and private debt funds. Johnny additionally worked for Janus Henderson Investors as a Securities Analyst where he reviewed derivative and fixed-income pricing for NAV calculations. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance with a Minor in Accounting from the University of Miami (FL). He has passed Level II of the CFA Program and is a member of the CFA Society of Colorado.Dylan Matthes
Credit Research Analyst
Dylan is a Credit Research Analyst for Public Trust where he is responsible for conducting credit analysis and reporting on Canadian pensions, FHL banks, municipals, industrials, and information technology sectors. Prior to joining Public Trust, Dylan was most recently an intern at Drumlin Capital Management where he conducted research into the voluntary carbon market, investment due diligence, and created and maintained databases of market participants. Dylan also was an intern for both Compass Asset Management and Lascaux Resource Capital where he performed portfolio management and fundamental equity analysis and created original financial models to forecast expected returns and sensitivity analysis on investments. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Elon University. He was also a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon Economic Honor Society.Marketing
The Marketing Department is responsible for the management of the Public Trust brand off and online, client facing and internal communications, event planning, and strengthening our online presence. Through continual creative development, the team forms and implements strategies that differentiate our brand and our clients’ brands.
Acacia Scavone
Chief Marketing Officer
Acacia is the Chief Marketing Officer for Public Trust where she manages the Marketing Department and oversees the internal and external branding of the firm. She focuses on strategic marketing initiatives; brand compliance; digital marketing; and the implementation of newly designed marketing campaigns. She is responsible for website enhancements and marketing software implementation. Additionally, she manages firmwide advertising, over 200 event marketing activities annually, and the overall email marketing strategy. Before joining Public Trust full time, Acacia began as a Marketing Intern then served as the Marketing Coordinator. She previously worked as a manager in the retail industry where she oversaw the visual displays of products, the brand, and set performance goals for her team. Acacia received both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a Master of Science in Marketing with a focus on Brand Communications from the University of Colorado, Denver.Audrey Parker
Marketing Data & Documentation Specialist
Audrey is a Marketing Data & Documentation Specialist for Public Trust where she is responsible for the accuracy and reliability of marketing data. In this role, she helps to maintain contact databases, marketing and sales report information, and campaign data. Her role involves generating detailed marketing activity reports, analyzing data to identify market trends, and collaborating closely with stakeholders to establish best practices for CRM marketing data management. Additionally, she works to identify gaps and make recommendations for future data collection, all while assisting in defining market targets and supporting marketing initiatives with practical insights and dedication. Prior to joining the Marketing department, Audrey worked as the Client Services Supervisor for Public Trust where she was responsible for overseeing the Client Service Associates in their daily activities and scheduling their daily fund assignments, providing customer service including issue management and communication, and providing ongoing guidance, coaching, and training. Audrey received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Management from the University of Colorado, Denver.Pam Erenberg
Director of Marketing and Sales Support
Pam is the Director of Marketing and Sales Support for Public Trust where she is responsible for the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, responding to and completing all requests for services, and providing support for other marketing collateral and processes. Prior to joining Public Trust, Pam most recently held the position of Vice President and Head of the U.S. Fixed Income RFP team at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. With more than twenty years of experience in the investment management industry in marketing, sales support, and client service roles, Pam has held a variety of roles for many fixed-income organizations such as BlueBay Asset Management and Deutsche Asset Management. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Manhattanville College.Molly Wohl
Vice President, Client Relations
Molly is the Vice President of Client Relations for Public Trust. In this position, Molly oversees interactions with Public Trust-managed local government investment pool elected board members and arranges all logistics related to board meetings. Prior to joining Public Trust, Molly most recently held the position of Private Sector Coordinator for the International Crisis Group where she managed the organization’s global events program and private sector donor relationships. She also worked for AlphaMetrix as an Events Coordinator and organized the company’s alternative investment conferences. Molly received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Management and Leadership from Miami University.Mary Rose
Senior Associate in Marketing
Mary is a Senior Associate in Marketing for Public Trust where she is responsible for Request for Proposal (RFP) administration, creating monthly and quarterly client reports, managing conference registration and preparations, and planning an annual investment seminar held in Orlando every fall. Prior to joining Public Trust, she held the position of Executive Director for Allgen Financial Services, Inc. where she worked closely with the owners of the firm to help manage their needs and goals. Mary also served as a Senior Administrative Assistant for William R. Hough & Co where she assisted bankers in the preparation of bids and proposals to municipalities for underwriting and/or financial advisor services. She is a Notary Public and has previously held the FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.Tommy Jordan
Director, Marketing
Tommy is a Director of Marketing for Public Trust where he is responsible for the research, support, and development of ongoing firmwide initiatives as well as the implementation of key strategic projects. Additionally, Tommy assists and focuses on enhancing the firm’s client experience through the continual improvement of marketing processes, digital execution, brand positioning, and collaboration with the firm’s relationship team. Prior to this role, Tommy held the position of Regional Director of Marketing for Public Trust where he focused on new business development and maintaining/expanding client relationships in the state of Florida. Tommy received a Bachelor of Science in Advertising with a minor in Communication from the University of Florida.Shoshana Zohari
Marketing and Sales Support Analyst
Shoshana is a Marketing and Sales Support Analyst for Public Trust where her responsibilities include conference and event coordination, monthly reporting tasks, and general marketing support. In addition, Shoshana assists the team in the implementation of client-facing marketing communications and is a key point of contact on internal marketing projects. Prior to this role, Shoshana held the position of Client Service Associate for Public Trust where she provided phone and email-based assistance to investment pool participants, managed and updated client information, completed monthly reconciliation of separately managed portfolio accounts, and offered client service support for the relationship team. Shoshana received a Bachelor of Arts in Middle East Studies and Hebrew from the University of Utah and previously held the FINRA Series 6 license.Brittany Harrelson
Digital Marketing & Content Coordinator
Brittany is a Digital Marketing Coordinator & Content Coordinator for Public Trust where she is responsible for the development and design of digital marketing materials and communications. Additionally, Brittany is responsible for the implementation of both new and reoccurring marketing campaigns, social media posts, and the maintenance of digital marketing assets for more than a dozen brands. Prior to joining Public Trust, Brittany worked as a Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager for AllSouth Federal Credit Union where she coordinated and designed social media and marketing materials. She has also held a role as a Creative Specialist at the Carolina Agency where she rebranded websites for clients utilizing SEO and analytic tracking. Brittany received her Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications with a minor in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.Dean Georgiou
RFP Writer
Dean is an RFP Writer for Public Trust where he is responsible for the firms’ Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Additionally, he manages the firm’s RFP library, provides support in the creation of finalist presentations, and produces marketing materials as needed. Dean brings over 12 years of experience with him as a seasoned professional in the fields of communication, marketing, and sales support. Prior to joining Public Trust, Dean was a Senior Sales Communication Specialist for Fifth Third Bank. Additionally, Dean held roles at both Great American Financial Resources, Inc. and Ohio National Financial Services. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Xavier University in Cincinnati.Casandra Perez
Digital Marketing & Content Coordinator
Casandra is a Digital Marketing & Content Coordinator for Public Trust. She is dedicated to supporting the expansion and growth of all Public Trust managed brands; supporting campaign development and events; conducting marketing-trend research; presentation revamping and email reporting; and supporting daily marketing efforts. Prior to this role, Casandra worked at bulb Digital Portfolios and GoodBuy Gear driving marketing campaigns, website management, ROI management, strategy innovation and execution, and event management. She was the co-founder of The Downpour Agency, a freelance marketing business. Casandra earned an Associate Degree in Product Development from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Colorado Denver.Tiffany Singh
Investment Analyst
Tiffany is an Investment Analyst for Public Trust Advisors, LLC and is responsible for the creation of monthly, quarterly, and annual investment reports to analyze and highlight client investment data; collaborating closely with a dynamic team to meet reporting standards; and streamlining daily workflow procedures, implementing, and communicating best practices to enhance team efficiency and productivity. Tiffany plays a pivotal role in fostering seamless integration by providing support and facilitating discussions with Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, and Directors across the Compliance, Credit, and Finance departments. She monitors onboarding templates and workflow projects as well as maintains client relationships post-onboarding. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tiffany served as an Accounting/Administrative Associate/Estimating Associate for Cost Management, Inc. (CMI) where she played a key role in RFP operations, oversaw vendor invoice review and updated processes, prepared professional PowerPoint presentations, tracked timesheets, and provided employee training to enhance team skills and efficiency. Tiffany earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management – Business Organization and Leadership from Valencia College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami. Tiffany is a certified Business Specialist and holds certificates in Business Operations and Operations Support & Services.Information Technology
The Information Technology (IT) department is responsible for the oversight, management, implementation, and maintenance of IT infrastructure, business applications, desktop support, security operations, and business continuity. The IT team spearheads projects, seeks out cutting edge technology, and assists departments with their software and service needs.
Ryan Renfrew
Manager, IT Infrastructure
Ryan is the Manager of IT Infrastructure for Public Trust where he is responsible for managing the team that designs, deploys, and supports solutions in the areas of IT infrastructure, security, cloud, and compliance. He previously served as a Senior Systems Administrator for Public Trust. Prior to joining Public Trust, he held the position of Infrastructure Manager for Black Elk Refining where he led a team of employees responsible for all IT infrastructure, security, and support for a complex, multi-state energy company. Ryan holds certifications including CISSP, CCSP, VCP, CCNA, MCSE, and ITIL.Ute Gumm
Business Services Manager
Ute is a Business Services Manager for Public Trust where she is responsible for a team of business analysts that support the various departments within the company in evaluating and improving business processes to mitigate risk and create operational efficiencies. She also contributes to the overall IT strategy and budget planning. Prior to this role, Ute has served in a variety of roles for Public Trust including her most recent role of Project Manager where she planned, managed, and executed both IT and business projects and as the Client Relations Coordinator where she worked closely with all LGIP boards across the country. Ute received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management from the University of Denver and a Master of Arts in Hospitality Management from the Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany.Joey Macias
Senior Business Analyst
Joey is a Senior Business Analyst at Public Trust where he supports several departments in evaluating and improving processes through strategic use of technology. Prior to this position, he served as a Senior Systems Administrator for several years, responsible for systems and end-user support, as well as the implementation of firmwide IT solutions. Prior to joining Public Trust, he held the position of Senior IT Consultant for Mission Critical Systems where he provided consultation for various small- and medium-sized businesses in the Denver area. He additionally served as an IT Manager for Lynx Innovation where he managed a small IT team of four employees for a multinational design and manufacturing organization.Sindhuja Ramineni
Business Systems Analyst
Sindhuja is a Business Systems Analyst in the Information Technology Department for Public Trust where she is responsible for creating the applications for the service portal, service catalog creations, monthly reporting, and a variety of other IT related tasks. She joined Public Trust as an IT Intern in 2018 before joining the firm full time the following year. Prior to joining Public Trust, Sindhuja worked for Accenture as an Application Development Analyst where she worked with various development tools for upgrades, deployment, and refresh activities. Sindhuja additionally worked for the University of Colorado Denver as a Graphic Designer. She received a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Telecommunications from the G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Sciences and a Master of Science in Information Systems and Business Intelligence from the University of Colorado Denver.Kevin Minh
Senior Business Analyst
Kevin is a Senior Business Analyst at Public Trust where he is responsible for the support of various departments focusing on the development and improvement of business processes, implementing new technical solutions, and serving as a key role in both risk management and quality control. Prior to joining Public Trust, Kevin worked as a Senior Operations Analyst with STP Investment Services where he supported the firm through their investment operations including financial reporting, account reconciliation, compliance and data needs. Kevin has previously held roles as a Global Project Manager with Logigear and an Enterprise Manager for SS&C Advent where he oversaw various business units. Kevin received a Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.Brian Sugrue
Chief Information Officer
Brian is the Chief Information Officer for Public Trust where he is responsible for overseeing the organization’s technical infrastructure, initiating strategic planning, and leveraging state of the art technology to advance strategic goals and objectives. Prior to joining Public Trust, Brian most recently served as a Managing Director for Cutter Associates where he was responsible for utilizing technical solutions to mitigate operational risk, increase efficiencies, and gain scale for a number of foundational clients. Brian additionally served as a Vice President and Business Manager for the Investment Administration department at Wellington Management Company where he designed and delivered cost-effective, high-performance technology and business solutions in support of domestic and international growth. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Finance from Suffolk University.Todd Marino
Senior Systems Engineer
Todd is a Senior Systems Administrator for Public Trust. In his role, he is responsible for assisting the Information Technology team in managing the firm’s infrastructure, security, cloud, and compliance initiatives. Todd brings over a decade of experience in the Information Technology space. Prior to joining Public Trust, Todd held the position of Information Technology Director for both IN2L and LifeLoop. He received a bachelor’s degree in music production from Berklee College of Music in Boston.Beth Thibodeaux
Salesforce Administrator
Beth is a Salesforce Administrator for Public Trust. In her role, she aims to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the firm’s Salesforce platform to support our unique business needs. Beth’s responsibilities range from system maintenance and data management to user training and customization. She works closely with various departments to tailor Salesforce functionalities, seeking not only to meet but exceed our client service objectives. Beth leverages Salesforce as a strategic asset that empowers Public Trust to deliver excellence in service and insights to the public funds sector. Prior to this role, Beth worked as a Salesforce Administrator for SCP Health where she worked to streamline processes, enhance data quality, and deliver actionable insights to the operations teams through customized reporting. Beth earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Master of Business Administration in IT Management from Western Governors University. Additionally, she holds the Salesforce Certified Administrator certification.Marty Warner
Quality Assurance Business Analyst
Marty is a Quality Assurance Business Analyst for Public Trust. As a member of the IT Team, he tests and develops new products and services for the firm. Before joining Public Trust, Marty was a Payments Support Representative at Citadel Credit Union, where he processed wire transfers, death claims, card utilization, and online banking inquiries. Marty received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Business Management from Kutztown University.Andy Shaffer
Senior Systems Engineer
Andy Shaffer is a Senior Systems Engineer for Public Trust Advisors. He is responsible for managing the company’s Cloud Infrastructure, Information Security, and Endpoints. Previously, Andy worked on Infrastructure automation and DevOps for S&P Global and as a Senior Systems Engineer/SRE for production SaaS infrastructure at CoreLogic.