Board of Directors

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors

President

John Zagurski, MPA, CGFO

President Elect

Todd Simoneaux, CPA

Past President

Katina Hampton, MBA, CGFO

Secretary

Amy Dozier, CPA, MBA

Treasurer

Blu Kostelich, MBA

GFOA Board Representative

Meg Jakubik, CGFO

Central Representative

Jonathan Locke, CPA, CGFO

East Representative

Cassie Smith, CPA, CGFO, CGFM

North Representative

Aaron Rector, CGFO

West Representative

Ellie Blasingame

South Representative

Sergio Villasana, CPA, CIA, CGFO, CPM

TMRS Representative

Casey Srader, MPA

Executive Director

Martie Simpson

TML Board Representative

Susan Morgan, CPA

President

John Zagurski, MPA, CGFO

Director of Finance, Town Northlake

John Zagurski is currently serving as the Director of Finance for the Town of Northlake. Mr. Zagurski has over fifteen years of government experience. For the past nine years, he has focused on local government finance, long-term planning, transparency, and municipal management. Mr. Zagurski became a member of the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) in 2013 and earned his designation as a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) the following year. He has served as the Chair of the GFOAT Legislative Committee, North Area Representative, Board Treasurer, and now as the President-Elect. John holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas and an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Central Arkansas.

President Elect

Todd Simoneaux, CPA

Chief Financial Officer, City of Beaumont

Todd Simoneaux is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Beaumont, Texas. He oversees finance, budget, utility billings, purchasing, solid waste, fleet maintenance, municipal airport, employee benefits, and municipal court. Todd has been with the city for 15 years where he started as the City’s Controller until his promotion to CFO five years ago. He started his career in public accounting as a tax accountant and external auditor with Edgar, Kiker & Cross CPA’s for seven years. Todd holds a Bachelor’s  degree in business administration – general business and another Bachelor’s degree in business administration – accounting from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.  He also obtained his CPA license from the state of Texas in 2001. Todd has been the past president of the southeast Texas chapter of CPA’s and has been a member of GFOAT since 2006.

Past President

Katina Hampton, MBA, CGFO

Director of Administrative Services, City of Friendswood

Katina Hampton began her career with the City of Friendswood in March 2007 when hired as the Budget Manager in the Administrative Services department.  In October of 2009, Katina was promoted to Deputy Director of Administrative Services – Fiscal Operations responsible for Budget, Utility Billing and served as Deputy Investment Officer.  Katina held this position until April of 2016 when her title changed to Deputy Director of Administrative Services – Finance; which added to her responsibilities, the oversight of the Accounting functions (payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivables and treasury management).

Katina was promoted to her current position, Director of Administrative Services, in June 2017.  She is now responsible for Finance and Municipal Court.  Under Katina’s leadership the City continues to earn Distinguished Budget Presentation and Excellence in Financial Reporting Awards from the Government Finance Officers’ Association.  Katina has also served on Regional and State Executive Boards and Committees of the Government Finance Officers Association.

Katina earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston and Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University.  She earned the Certified Government Finance Officer credential in 2009.

Katina and her husband, Darrell, are the proud parents of 3 adult children.  They are active in their church and enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Secretary

Amy Dozier, CPA, MBA

Director of Finance, Kerrville Public Utility Board

Amy has almost 20 years of experience in finance and accounting including roles in auditing, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and special projects.  Her experience in governmental accounting began with the City of Kerrville in 2013.  Amy joined Kerrville Public Utility Board in June 2021 as Director of Finance.  Prior to KPUB, Amy served as CFO for the City of Kerrville.

Amy is a Certified Public Accountant, has an MBA from Texas Christian University and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Texas A&M University.  She is new to the GFOAT Board in 2021.

Treasurer

Blu Kostelich, MBA

Chief Financial Officer, City of Lubbock

Blu Kostelich currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the City
of Lubbock, Texas, where he manages the City’s Financial Planning and
Analysis, Accounting, Purchasing, Risk Management, Central
Warehouse, and Print Shop. Blu received his Bachelor’s Degree from
the United States Military Academy at West Point and his Master’s
Degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist
University.

Blu brings over 15 years of service and experience in both finance and
operations roles, with 6 of those years in public sector finance for
Bridgeport, Texas and Lubbock, Texas. In Lubbock, Blu also serves as a
Board Member for the Lubbock Fire Pension Fund and as the Co-Chair
of the Governmental Affairs Committee for GFOAT. Prior to
transitioning to the public sector, Blu held roles in the private sector as
a Manufacturing Plant Operations Manager for TAMKO Building
Products and a Senior Financial Analyst for Lennox International.

Blu spent the first five years of his post-graduate career as an Armor and Calvary Officer in the United
States Army, including a thirteen month deployment to Baghdad from 2008-2009. Throughout his
service, Blu was awarded the Bronze Star and two Army Commendation Medals. Blu also received his Air
Assault Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Outside of work, Blu enjoys spending time with his wife, Callie, and his six-year-old daughter Juliana

GFOA Board Representative

Meg Jakubik, CGFO

Strategic Services Manager, City of Bedford

Meg Jakubik, CGFO, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Texas Tech University and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Texas. She has fifteen years of experience working for the City of Bedford, having served in various departments, including the Police Department, City’s Secretary’s Office, City Manager’s Office, and Finance. As the Strategic Services Manager, she is responsible for coordinating the City’s budget, overseeing municipal franchises, and other special projects.

Meg has been a member of GFOAT since 2012 and earned her Certified Government Finance Officer designation in 2014. She previously served as the chair of the Communications Committee for GFOAT and as a member of the Program Committee.

Central Representative

Jonathan Locke, CPA, CGFO

Director of Finance, City of San Marcos

Jon is the director of finance for the City of San Marcos. For more than seven years, Locke was the executive director of finance for the City of Killeen. He has 18 years of financial leadership experience, including being city treasurer in the city of Big Rapids, Michigan, and as assistant director at Perry County Job & Family Services in Ohio.
Locke has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration from Franklin University in Ohio. According to the release, Locke is a licensed certified public accountant and a certified government finance officer. He is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas, newly elected to the Board of Directors as the central representative, and serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee.

East Representative

Cassie Smith, CPA, CGFO, CGFM

Assistant Director of Finance, City of Conroe

Cassie Smith is the Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Conroe, Texas, where she oversees all aspects of budget, finance, accounting, and utility billing. She has been with the City for 5 years and prior to that served as the Reporting Manager in the Harris County Auditor’s Office for 12 years. She fell in love with governmental accounting working as an outside auditor in a small regional firm.

Cassandra is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas, is a Certified Governmental Financial Manager (CGFM), and a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO). She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Accounting from Sam Houston State University. Cassie is currently the co-chair of the Membership Committee and enjoys getting to know people from different areas.

Cassie and her husband of 30 years, West, are active in their community and enjoy spending time with friends and family. They are proud parents of two adult children, Hayden and Carley.

North Representative

Aaron Rector, CGFO

Director of Administrative Services, City of Keller

Aaron Rector is a Certified Government Finance Officer with over 15 years of municipal finance experience who currently serves as the Director of Administrative Services/Finance for the City of Keller.  Prior to joining the City of Keller, he worked for the City of Cedar Park first as the Budget Manager and then as the Assistant Finance Director.  He began his career in municipal finance as a Financial Analyst with the Town of Flower Mound.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M and his Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas.

 

West Representative

Ellie Blasingame

Director of Finance, City of Perryton

Ellie Blasingame is the Director of Finance for the City of Perryton. She oversees all financial aspects of the City, as well as the Utility Billing Department. Ellie graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science. She started working with the City of Perryton in 2019 and became the Director of Finance in 2022. Ellie was appointed the West Representative for the GFOAT in 2023.

South Representative

Sergio Villasana, CPA, CIA, CGFO, CPM

Director of Finance, City of McAllen

Sergio Villasana has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Brownsville. He started his professional career in 2004 as a budget analyst for the University of Texas at Brownsville.  Since then, he’s served as an Internal Auditor for Cameron County, the Deputy Finance Director for the City of Harlingen, and is currently the Finance Director for the City of McAllen.  Sergio is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Government Finance Officer and a Certified Public Funds Investment Manager.  When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Angela and their two boys, Adam and Thomas. 

TMRS Representative

Casey Srader, MPA

Budget Manager, City of Plano

Casey is the Budget Manager for the City of Plano and has worked in local government budgeting/finance for over 26 years. Casey started his career with the City of Dallas in the budget and research department. He obtained his MPA degree from Texas Tech University in 1992. Casey served two full terms on GFOA’s National Committee on Governmental Budgeting and Fiscal Policy and just completed two full terms on GFOA’s National Committee on Retirement and Benefits Administration (CORBA). Casey is also active in the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) and currently serves as GFOAT’s Group Class Representative on the TMRS Advisory Committee.

Executive Director

Martie Simpson

Martie Simpson is the Executive Director for the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas. She started her municipal finance career with the City of Killeen in 1997 and finished her career with the city in 2014 as the executive director of finance.  Martie served as the finance director for the City of New Braunfels from 2014 to 2018.  Martie is a Certified Public Accountant with a degree from Baylor University and is a past president for GFOAT.

TML Board Representative

Susan Morgan, CPA

Susan has over 30 years’ experience in government and finance including leadership positions at the municipal, regional, and state level. She currently serves as the chief financial officer for the City of Round Rock where she oversees all aspects of budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and treasury management; as well as the City’s municipal court, purchasing, and utility billing departments.  Prior to joining Round Rock in 2015, she served as finance director for the City of Georgetown from 2011 to 2015, and 1992 to 1999.  Susan spent several years as senior financial analyst for HDR Engineering, Inc., performing business and financial consulting to cities and districts. Her other experience includes chief financial officer for the Brazos River Authority, finance director for the Texas Water Development Board, and audit staff at Ernst & Young. Susan is a certified public accountant with a degree in accounting from Texas Tech University. Susan serves as treasurer on the participant advisory board of TexasTERM, a local government investment pool. She has been a member of GFOAT since 1992 and has served in various leadership roles including her current role on the board as Central Area Representative.  She also serves on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Forms Committee.  Susan and her husband, David, have two daughters. In addition to her professional work, Susan is an active volunteer with various church and high school booster organizations.


GFOAT Foundation

President

TBD

Vice President

Steve Williams, City Manager
City of Schertz
Email: Steve.Williams@schertz.com

Secretary/Treasurer

Stormy Johnson, Assistant Finance Director
City of Burleson
Email: sjohnson@burlesontx.com

Directors

Laurie Brewer, Assistant City Manager
City of Georgetown
Email: laurie.brewer@georgetown.org

Deborah Reid, CPA, Director of Finance
City of Amarillo
Email: Debbie.Reid@amarillo.gov

TML Staff

Lavern Gaines, Affiliate Association Senior Manager
Texas Municipal League
Email: lavern@tml.org

Crane Petty, Affiliate Association Coordinator
Texas Municipal League
Email: crane@tml.org

CGFO Administrator

Crane Petty, Affiliate Association Coordinator
Texas Municipal League
Email: crane@tml.org