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.

Sandra Fitzgerald

Chief Operating Officer

Sandra is the Chief Operating Officer for Public Trust where she oversees the administrative, financial, and human resource operations for the company. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and corporate compliance. 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 the Leadership Charlotte Class 32.

Thomas Jordan

Chief Executive Officer

Tom currently heads Public Trust as Chief Executive Officer where he is responsible for the overall management of the firm and all current business activities. Under his management and oversight, Public Trust assets under management have more than doubled since he joined the firm in 2012. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tom was a Managing Director and Head of Sales and Marketing for two national diversified investment management firms, positions he held for more than fifteen years. He was responsible for the development of more efficient investment programs for state and local governments and helping clients more effectively manage their operating cash and bond proceeds. 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 his career, Tom has held numerous corporate and start-up board positions as well as several community-based initiatives and remains active in many municipal government and school business financial organizations.

Matt Starr

Director of Client Relations

Matt is the Director of Client Relations for Public Trust where he serves as the main point of contact and fund administrator for all local government investment pool (LGIP) clients and board of trustees members nationwide. In addition, he is the primary manager for the Public Trust Marketing Department as well as the NYCLASS Sales and Marketing Team. Prior to joining Public Trust, Matt served as a member of the administrative and marketing teams for Cutwater Asset Management where his responsibilities included the administration, fund accounting, sales, marketing, and client services for more than a dozen LGIP 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.

Barry Howsden

Chief Compliance Officer

Barry is the Chief Compliance Officer for Public Trust where his role encompasses the oversight of all compliance matters for the firm as well as the underlying investment products. Prior to joining Public Trust, he worked as a Vice President for Cutwater Asset Management where he was responsible for the oversight of local government investment pool accounting and transfer agency functions as well as compliance aspects, accounting, and client services for several managed products. He also worked for Invesco Ltd as a Supervisor Fund Accountant where he oversaw the daily mutual fund accounting functions of numerous fixed-income mutual funds. Barry received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting and Finance from Colorado State University and holds the designation of Investment Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP).

Joe Carroll

Chief Development Officer

Joe is the Chief Development Officer for Public Trust where he is a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for the development and execution of short- and long-term strategies focused on the organization’s growth and success. Previously, he served as a Vice President of Investment Advisory Services where he facilitated investment advisory relations and strategic business development for governmental clients in Colorado. Prior to joining Public Trust, Joe served as a Public Funds Representative at RBC Global Asset Management where he provided investment advisory services in several states. Joe served in the U.S. Army with the 1/75 Ranger Regiment where he was deployed several times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Dayton and a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University. He holds the designation of Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) through the Association for Financial Professionals and is a Certified Government Investment Professional (CGIP) through the Government Investment Officers’ Association as well as a past Board Member of the Rocky Mountain Association for Financial Professionals. Joe holds the FINRA Series 65 license and is an Investment Advisor Representative.

Steve Dixon

Director of Business Operations

Steve is the Director of Business Operations for Public Trust where he is responsible for overseeing, organizing, and contributing to the business activities of the organization as they relate to compliance, client services, business planning, and information technology. Steve has implemented and maintains a strong compliance control environment at Public Trust by evaluating firmwide, end-to-end business operations including action plans and appropriate resolution. He monitors, researches, and implements new regulatory requirements and facilitates regulatory filings. 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.

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.

Joe Primiano

Vice President of Finance

Joe is the Vice President of Finance for Public Trust where he is responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting and analysis, payroll, and month-, quarter-, and year-end closings. He joined Public Trust in 2017 and previously held the role of Senior Accountant. Prior to joining Public Trust, he served as a Senior Accountant for Colorado State University – Global Campus where he was responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and analysis. Joe received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and both a Master of Business Administration and Master of Accountancy from the University of Phoenix. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Maggie Whitley

Human Resources Administrator

Maggie is the Human Resources Administrator for Public Trust where she is responsible for benefits administration, employee relations, new employee recruitment and onboarding, policy development and implementation, and general office administration. Prior to joining Public Trust, Maggie most recently served as the Human Resources Coordinator for Pulte Financial Services where she operated in multiple areas of human resources with a focus on talent acquisition and onboarding. Maggie additionally worked for the City of Auburn in Alabama as a Human Resources Specialist where she provided general human resources assistance related to recruitment, job classification studies, and various employee events. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources from Auburn University and is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management.

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.

Audrey Parker

Client Services Supervisor

Audrey is the Client Services Supervisor for Public Trust where she is 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. She has a long tenure with Public Trust and has previously worked in various client service roles including Lead Operations Associate. Prior to joining Public Trust, Audrey worked as a Land Assistant for Bonanza Creek Energy where she maintained leaseholder information and proceeds from oil and gas well production. She also worked for Wells Fargo Bank as a Teller in the Retail Banking Department and later in both the Wire Transfer Operations and Wholesale Loans departments. Audrey received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Management from the University of Colorado, Denver.

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.

Clint Glaser

Fund Accountant

Clint is a Fund Accountant for Public Trust where he is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day accounting for the funds including preparing timely and accurate NAVs, yields, distributions, and more. Clint previously served as a Client Services Associate for Public Trust where he processed transactions, performed client account maintenance, and supported sales representatives across the nation. Prior to joining Public Trust, he most recently held the position of Relocation Specialist for Klein & Company where he focused on helping individuals and families find housing when they have experienced a catastrophe. Clint received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and an Associates in Pre-Engineering from Red Rocks Community College.

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.

Shoshana Zohari

Client Services Associate

Shoshana is a Client Services Associate for Public Trust where her responsibilities include entering and processing transactions, monitoring daily fund activity, and completing correspondence. Prior to joining Public Trust, Shoshana most recently held the position of Client Service Associate for Oppenheimer Funds where she served as a call center agent assisting shareholders and financial advisors with transactions, statements, and forms for both qualified and non-qualified accounts. She also spent sixteen years homeschooling her four children. Shoshana received a Bachelor of Arts in Middle East Studies and Hebrew from the University of Utah. She previously held the FINRA Series 6 license and supports various organizations including the Colorado Village Collaborative and the Gabriel Project Mumbai.

Danielle Campbell

Client Services Associate

Danielle is a Client Services Associate for Public Trust where she processes incoming and outing fund transfers and communicates cash flows to the Portfolio Management team while maintaining client update requests and inquires. Prior to joining Public Trust, Danielle most recently worked for Transamerica as an Internal Wholesaler for mutual funds where she took care of her regional territory in regard to customer service, prospecting, and educating producers on the product line. Danielle also previously worked for Jackson National as an Internal Wholesaler for retirement products. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Alicia Jiron

Client Services Associate

Alicia is a Client Services Associate for Public Trust where she serves as the point of day-to-day contact for all Participants, serves as a trusted resource for information, assists with account set up and maintenance, and processes transactions and other requests. Prior to joining Public Trust, Alicia most recently worked for Invesco Investment Services/Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. as a Specialized Service Associate on the Estate Team where she handled death and divorce cases as well as answering questions about company policy and the probate/small estate process. She additionally worked for Rose Community Foundation as a Communications Associate. Alicia received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Computer Information Systems from Colorado State University. She previously held the FINRA Series 6 license.

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.

Chris DeBow

Managing Director, Partner

Chris is a Managing Director of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust and has almost twenty years of investment experience assisting public sector clients nationwide with their investment management needs. He has a broad knowledge of state statutes governing public funds investment and regularly works with clients to create flexible investment strategies for a variety of funds including operating, construction, and debt service funds among others. He also specializes in assisting underlying issuers who implement conduit issue financing. Prior to joining Public Trust, Chris served as a Managing Director of RBC Public Fund Services where he was responsible for managing public fund sales nationwide. He also served as Director of Institutional Services for Seasongood Asset Management which was acquired by RBC in 2007. Chris received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Rio Grande and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Xavier University.

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

Director of Client Relations

Matt is the Director of Client Relations for Public Trust where he serves as the main point of contact and fund administrator for all local government investment pool (LGIP) clients and board of trustees members nationwide. In addition, he is the primary manager for the Public Trust Marketing Department as well as the NYCLASS Sales and Marketing Team. Prior to joining Public Trust, Matt served as a member of the administrative and marketing teams for Cutwater Asset Management where his responsibilities included the administration, fund accounting, sales, marketing, and client services for more than a dozen LGIP 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^®

Director of Investment Advisory Services

Laura is a Director of Investment Advisory 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

Director of Investment Advisory Services

Joel joined Public Trust in 2017 as a Director of Investment Advisory Services 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.

Lyn Derway

Regional Director of Marketing

Lyn joined Public Trust as a Regional Director of Marketing 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

Regional Director of Marketing

Kathy is a Regional Director of Marketing 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.

Ben Mendenhall

VP of Investment Advisory Services

Ben is a Vice President of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust where he is based in Colorado and is responsible for the management of current and future client relationships, upkeep of client data, business development, separately managed accounts, and client education. Before joining Public Trust, he worked for PFM as a Senior Analyst where he was responsible for the management of separately managed accounts and client services. Ben received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Management from the University of Rhode Island. He is an Investment Advisor Representative, a member of the Colorado Treasurers Association, and a prestigious partner of the Colorado Association of School Business Officials.

Brent Turner

VP of Investment Advisory Services

Brent is a Vice President of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust based in Colorado and is responsible for customer relations, sales, and business development. He focuses on new business development and the expansion of client relationships across the state. Prior to joining Public Trust, Brent served as a Financial Services Manager for a number of companies within the financial services industry where he developed business relationships and structured financing solutions for customers in the government, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. Brent also possesses extensive public sector experience, having worked for the Texas Senate, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Comptroller of Public Accounts. In these roles, he was directly accountable for legislative agendas related to tax policy, regulatory matters, and the investment and allocation of public funds. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he received both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He holds FINRA Series 65 license and is an Investment Advisor Representative.

Dylana Gross

VP of Investment Advisory Services

Dylana is a Vice President of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust based in Colorado where she is responsible for maintaining current relationships with participants as well as developing new relationships. She serves as a resource for all participants in Colorado as it pertains to education on local government investment pools, local and regional economies, and the national economic state. Prior to this role, she joined Public Trust as an Investment Operations and Fund Accounting Associate where her job duties included running trade operations and fund accounting, reporting cap stock activity, trading securities, documenting income, and distributing interest. Prior to joining Public Trust, Dylana held the position of Financial Service Professional for Charles Schwab where she helped clients place trades and discussed the market in relation to client portfolios. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Finance from Colorado Mesa University. Dylana is an active member of Women in Public Finance and the Rocky Mountain Association of Finance Professionals as well as a prestigious member of the Colorado Association of School Business Officials. She holds the FINRA Series 65 license and is an Investment Advisor Representative.

Danny King

Sales Manager

Danny is a Sales Manager 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

Regional Director of Marketing

Karen is a Regional Director of Marketing 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

Regional Director of Marketing

Tony is a Regional Director of Marketing 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.

Matt Tight

VP of Investment Advisory Services

Matt is a Vice President of Investment Advisory 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.

Tommy Jordan

Regional Director of Marketing

Tommy is a Regional Director of Marketing for Public Trust based in Florida where he focuses on new business development and maintaining and expanding client relationships statewide. Adding to the continued growth in the Florida marketplace, he is extending the reach of the FLCLASS program in an effort to grow the participant base. Prior to joining Public Trust, Tommy worked for Cintas as a Business Management Trainee, Goodfellow Real Estate as a Market Investment Analyst, and Starcom MediaVest as an Associate. Tommy received a Bachelor of Science in Advertising with a minor in Communication from the University of Florida. He frequently attends conferences across the state such as the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, the Association of School Business Officials, and other regional municipal forums. Tommy is currently in the process of becoming a Certified Government Investment Professional through the Government Investment Officers Association.

Rich Garay

Marketing Consultant

Rich is a Marketing Consultant for Public Trust based in Michigan where he is responsible for marketing to public agencies, maintaining and encouraging the growth of existing balances, and maintaining professional relationships with associations and vendors. Prior to Public Trust, Rich served as a Consultant for the Michigan CLASS Board of Trustees where he facilitated the transition to a new investment advisor and marketed to new and existing participants. He previously served as City Treasurer for the cities of Saline and Ann Arbor and has been marketing the Michigan CLASS program since 1992. Rich received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Loyola University of Chicago and a Master of Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University. He is an active member of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association, the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, and the Michigan Association of County Treasurers.

Kristin Angel

Regional Director of Marketing

Kristin is a Regional Director of Marketing 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

Regional Director of Marketing

Jeff is a Regional Director of Marketing 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

Regional Director of Marketing

Adam is a Regional Director of Marketing 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.

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.

Tom Tight

Managing Director, Partner

Tom is a Managing Director 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, a member of the Government Finance Officers Association, and a member of the State Finance Officers Foundation.

John Grady

Managing Director, Partner

John is a Managing Director 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.

Chris DeBow

Managing Director, Partner

Chris is a Managing Director of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust and has almost twenty years of investment experience assisting public sector clients nationwide with their investment management needs. He has a broad knowledge of state statutes governing public funds investment and regularly works with clients to create flexible investment strategies for a variety of funds including operating, construction, and debt service funds among others. He also specializes in assisting underlying issuers who implement conduit issue financing. Prior to joining Public Trust, Chris served as a Managing Director of RBC Public Fund Services where he was responsible for managing public fund sales nationwide. He also served as Director of Institutional Services for Seasongood Asset Management which was acquired by RBC in 2007. Chris received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Rio Grande and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Xavier University.

Brian Kelso

Director of Investment Advisory Services

Brian is a Director of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust based in Denver where he is responsible for assisting state and local governments throughout the central and western parts of the United States with their investment management needs. Before joining Public Trust, Brian most recently held the position of Managing Director for Robert W. Baird & Co, Inc. where he was responsible for structuring and executing municipal bond transactions to fund capital and infrastructure needs for the benefit of local communities. Brian has worked with a variety of state and local governments and non-profits throughout his career including cities, school districts, transportation departments, utilities, institutions of higher education and charter schools, among others. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Business with a focus on Finance and Information Systems from Colorado State University, holds both the FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, and is an Investment Advisor Representative.

Rod Bettini

Director of Investment Advisory Services

Rod is a Director of Investment Advisory 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

Regional Director of Marketing

Steve is a Regional Director of Marketing 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

VP of Investment Advisory Services

Ash is a Vice President of Investment Advisory Services for Public Trust where he focuses on offering investment advisory solutions to clients in Arizona as well as 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.

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.

Neil Waud, CFA^®

Chief Investment Officer

Neil is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for Public Trust, a position he was promoted to at the beginning of 2018. 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 across the country. Prior to joining Public Trust, Neil worked for Cutwater Asset Management as both a Vice President and Portfolio Manager. His responsibilities were similar though he primarily focused 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.

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.

Randy Palomba, CFA^®

Managing Director, Partner

Randy is a Managing Partner for Public Trust and has been with the firm since inception. With nearly thirty years of industry experience, he oversees the portfolio management team, offers support to junior members of the team, participates in the development and implementation of portfolio strategy, and directly manages several local government investment pools in multiple states. 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 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.

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.

Aaron Joseph

Trade Operations Associate

Aaron is a Trade Operations Associate for Public Trust where he is responsible for the updating and maintaining of portfolio management and reporting tools; the reconciliation of local government investment pool (LGIP) assets, securities, and cash; and the facilitation of trade settlements. Within the company, he previously held the role of Associate in Client Services and Fund Accounting where he was responsible for LGIP accounting and various paperwork such as account registration and updating forms. Prior to joining Public Trust, Aaron worked for Janus Capital Group as both a Client Service Representative and a Research Associate where his responsibilities ranged from providing customer service to shareholders to organizing, analyzing, and disseminating large amounts of data. Aaron received a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from Penn State University.

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

Chief Risk Officer

Kevin is the Chief Risk Officer for Public Trust where he is responsible for the oversight of enterprise risk management as well as participating in the management of the Credit Research and Risk Management Team. Kevin previously served as the Head of Credit, where he was 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.

Sean Fitzgerald

Senior Credit Analyst

Sean is a Senior Credit Analyst for Public Trust where he is responsible for analyzing and monitoring numerous sectors within the credit research function. He analyzes trends and data to prioritize risk associated with a range of fixed-income securities. Sean’s primary areas of focus pertain to fundamental credit analysis with respect to international financial institutions as well as the application of risk management parameters related to monitoring current exposures. He is an active member of the Public Trust Credit Committee. 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.

Marcelo Alaniz, CFA^®

Credit Research Analyst

Marcelo is a Credit Research Analyst for Public Trust where he is responsible for the fundamental credit analysis of corporate issuers through due diligence, sector and issuer research, conducting proprietary analysis, and writing reports for new initiations as well as credit reviews for the healthcare, energy, and consumer discretionary sectors. Prior to joining Public Trust, he most recently held the position of Credit Research Analyst for Great-West Financial where he performed fundamental credit analysis and reviews on investment-grade corporate issuers and provided rating change recommendation. Marcelo additionally worked for CenturyLink as a Lead Financial Analyst and S&P Global Market Intelligence as a Financial Research Analyst. He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Metropolitan State University of Denver, is a CFA charterholder, and is a member of both the CFA Society of Colorado and the CFA Institute.

Patrick Edler, CFA^®

Credit Research Analyst

Patrick is a Credit Research 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.

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 oversees the Marketing Department and controls the internal and external branding, marketing, and eMarketing initiatives. She focuses on strategic marketing initiatives; ensures brand compliance for visual components, giveaways, and marketing materials; and is responsible for website and application development, advertising, graphic design, and event marketing. Before joining Public Trust full time, Acacia began as a Marketing Intern before serving as the Marketing Coordinator where she was responsible for the daily marketing tasks such as email creation and data collection. She previously worked as a manager for a retail chain where she oversaw the visual displays of products, the brand, and set performance goals for her team of ten employees. 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.

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.

Emmie Madison

Communications Director

Emmie is the Communications Director for Public Trust where she is responsible for the development a cohesive communication strategy, creation and dissemination of marketing campaigns and press releases as well as critical communication implementation and coordination. She joined Public Trust in 2016 first as a Marketing Intern before coming on full-time as a Content Writer where she wrote, created, and edited a range of content including blogs, emails, printed collateral, and social media posts. Prior to joining Public Trust, Emmie worked for Vail Resorts as a Communication and Concierge Specialist at the Beaver Creek Club where she was responsible for event planning, the writing and publishing of monthly newsletters, and managing member schedules. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing from Colorado Mesa University and a Master of Arts in Communication for the University of Colorado – Denver.

Molly Brown

Client Relations Coordinator

Molly is the Client Relations Coordinator for Public Trust where she oversees relations with Public Trust-managed local government investment pool elected board members and arranges the logistics of 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.

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.

Matt Kaldenberg

Chief Technology Officer

Matt joined Public Trust as a full-time employee in 2017 but has a long history with the firm and the IT Department, dating back to 2011. In his role as Chief Technology Officer, Matt oversees the company’s IT infrastructure, network, security, systems, and software. He contributes to the senior management team and helps to guide strategic decisions. Matt creates technology strategies and ensures that solutions, products, and processes exceed the expectations of clients and internal staff. Before joining full-time, Matt provided consulting services for Public Trust through his company High-End Consulting. He provided implemented solutions on virtualization, systems, networking, and security. He also previously worked for Enterprise Systems as a Senior Systems Engineer where he provided Citrix, VMware, networking, and security consulting services. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Colorado State University.

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

Project Manager

Ute is a Project Manager for Public Trust where she contributes to the success of the company by organizing and delivering projects. She coordinates project delivery by designing and implementing demand and project management throughout the company, allowing for the prioritization and delivery of successful projects by capturing all requirements, resources, risk, costs, goals, and objectives. Prior to this position, Ute served as the Client Relations Coordinator for Public Trust where she planned and executed more than 25 board meetings annually across the country along with preparing meeting materials, coordinating arrangements with staff and board members, and completing projects and deliverables between meetings. 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.

Rob Jindrick

Senior Systems Administrator

Rob is a Senior Systems Administrator for Public Trust where he is responsible for technology infrastructure projects, end-user support, and general IT administration. Prior to joining Public Trust, Rob served as a Systems Administrator for Ben Bridge Jeweler where he was responsible for the administration, implementation, and support of all technology for the corporate office and retail stores. Rob additionally held the roles of IT Consultant for ISOutsource and Systems Administrator for Silvaris. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University.

Joey Macias

Senior Systems Administrator

Joey is a Senior Systems Administrator at Public Trust where he is responsible for systems and end-user support as well as the implementation of new IT solutions for the firm. Prior to joining Public Trust, he most recently 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. Joey received an Associates of Science in Computer Science from Fullerton College and holds a variety of certifications including MCSE, VMware VCP, ITIL Foundations, and A+ Certified.

Snehansu Singh, CFA^®

Senior Business Analyst

Snehansu is a Senior Business Analyst for Public Trust where he is responsible for automating and streamlining business workflows and the associated manual processes to reduce operational risk while enhancing department growth and system throughput. Prior to joining Public Trust, Snehansu most recently held the position of Senior Business Analyst for Janus Henderson where he worked to automate front office business processes and was responsible for the financial technology solutions of multi-currency fixed income and derivates products in the U.S. and international markets. Snehansu previously worked as a Senior Analyst for SS&C Technologies and as a Senior Business Consultant for Northern Trust. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics from Ravenshaw University and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal. Snehansu is a CFA charterholder.

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.