48th Annual Conference - Speaker Bios

Thank you to our speakers for helping to communicate best practices and for sharing their experiences. We are so appreciative because we would be unable to provide quality CPE to our members without their dedicated time and effort.

                                                                                                         - AGFOA Board

Teri Westbrook – Pinnacle IT

                Teri Westbrook is the Director of Technology & Security at Pinnacle IT, where she leads the alignment of technology strategy, cybersecurity, and service delivery to support secure, scalable outcomes for clients across regulated and professional industries. With a strong background in cloud, security, and managed services, she plays a key role in shaping technical standards, strengthening security posture, and guiding organizations through complex technology decisions.

Michele Allgood - Mitchell Williams Law Firm

Michele grew up in Paris, Arkansas. She graduated from Hendrix College before earning her law degree from Vanderbilt School of Law. Michele is a member of Mitchell Williams Law Firm and splits her time between the Little Rock and Jonesboro offices. Her primary practice area is municipal finance, and she has had the opportunity to aid state agencies, cities, counties, facility boards, and commissions throughout the state. She also has a general transactional practice that includes finance, real estate, contract drafting and negotiations, and corporate governance. Michele lives in Sherwood, Arkansas with her husband and a rotating group of daughters, pets and a son-in-law.

John Albritton, CPA - Landmark

John began his career at Landmark in 2005 as an audit intern. He worked as a member of the audit team for three years and then transferred to the bond arbitrage/tax compliance team in 2009 where he now serves as a member. His expertise includes bond arbitrage services and tax compliance services for tax-exempt organizations and employee benefit plans. John and his wife, Allison, have two daughters, Avery and Audrey. In his free time, he enjoys all things like Razorback athletics and riding his road bike. John has participated in the RAGBRAI ride across Iowa many times.

Ryan Bowman - Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP

Ryan Bowman is a partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP and Group Head of the Public Finance Practice Group. Ryan was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 2000 and started as a full-time bond attorney with the firm that same year. Since that time, he has practiced exclusively in public finance. Ryan is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and is listed in Chambers and Partners USA: America's Leading Lawyers in Municipal Bonds. Ryan’s bond practice has an emphasis on financing public projects throughout Arkansas. These primarily include revenue bonds, voter-approved bonds secured by local sales and use taxes and school district bond issues. These financings have included bonds sold through underwriters on a negotiated basis, bonds sold at competitive sale, bonds issued by State agencies, bonds placed with local banks, bonds that were rated by national rating agencies and bonds that were insured.

Jason Holsclaw - Stephens Inc.

Jason Holsclaw joined Stephens’ Public Finance Department in 2012. Since that time, he has managed a variety of debt financings for municipalities, school districts, utilities, and colleges and universities. Prior to joining Stephens, he was a Senior Analyst with the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C., where he led numerous reviews of federal agency operations and programs. Jason also served as a senior investigator and advisor to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kentucky and a B.A. from Ouachita Baptist University. He is also a registered Municipal Advisor Representative, Municipal Securities Representative and a registered Uniform State Law Securities Agent.

Gabe Holmstrom - Capitol & Main

Gabe Holmstrom is the Principal at the Capitol & Main consulting firm. Currently, he is leading the effort to pass Issue 3 on behalf of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. Gabe spent 10 years as the Executive Director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and is certified by the International Downtown Association as a Leader in Place management (LPM), he was also part of their Emerging Leaders Fellowship program. Prior to his work at the downtown place management organization, he served as Chief of Staff at the Arkansas House of Representatives. During his career, he worked for CJRW, one of the largest full-service marketing firms in the Southwest, the Arkansas Attorney General, a Member of Congress, and ran campaigns that have won and lost. Additionally, he has worked for both Republicans and Democrats.

Mimi M. Hurst - Stephens Inc

Mimi M. Hurst is a Managing Director of Stephens Inc. in Little Rock, AR. Mrs. Hurst is a Senior Vice President in the Stephens Capital Management division of Stephens Inc. and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the investment components of the Stephens Choice platform and of the State of Arkansas Deferred Compensation Plan, known as the Arkansas Diamond Plan. She is Chairperson of the Stephens Choice Investment Committee and former Chairperson of the Stephens Allocation Strategies Investment Committee. Mrs. Hurst began her career in investments at T. J. Raney & Sons. Mrs. Hurst is a FINRA Registered Representative (Series 7) and a Registered Investment Advisor Representative (Series 66). Mrs. Hurst graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a past member of the New York Society of Analysts. She is a member of the CFA Institute. She was one of the twelve founding Board Members of the Arkansas Society of Financial Analysts, renamed the CFA Society Arkansas.

David M. Coleman – Forvis-Mazars, LLP

David is a professional in Forvis Mazars’ Public Sector Practice. He has over 25 years of experience providing audit and consulting services to various governmental and nonprofit organizations, including municipalities and their component units, utilities, and other service-related entities that receive federal and state assistance. He is responsible for engagement oversight and review for numerous governmental and nonprofit organizations subject to Single Audit requirements. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Government Finance Officers Association of Arkansas. He is licensed as a CPA in Arkansas and Texas. David is a graduate of Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with a B.B.A. degree in accounting.

Katherine (Katie) R. Flores – Forvis-Mazars, LLP

Katie has over eight years of experience providing audit services to governmental and nonprofit organizations, including Single Audits. She performs a variety of governmental and nonprofit audit engagements, including municipalities and their component units, utilities, and other service-related entities that receive federal and state assistance. Katie is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. She is a licensed CPA in Arkansas. Katie is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Conway, with a B.B.A. degree in accounting and business administration.

Stacey Atchison– Forvis-Mazars, LLP

Stacey has more than 25 years of experience providing tax and accounting services for closely held businesses, corporations, individuals, manufacturing and nonprofit entities, and healthcare clients. She assists clients with various financial accounting, payroll tax, and sales tax issues. She also assists clients with financial statement preparation, organization of financial records, and income tax return preparation. Stacey is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance. She is a 1996 graduate of University of Central Arkansas, Conway, with a B.S. degree in accounting.

Megan Riekhof – Forvis-Mazars, LLP

As a member of Forvis Mazars Rogers’ outsourced accounting team, Megan provides accounting services to clients in a variety of industries. She also is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor who provides accounting support through her experience with multiple accounting software packages. She has more than 13 years of accounting experience, including 10 years in Forvis Mazars accounting outsourcing department. She provides clients with controller and bookkeeping services, including filling those positions during vacancies. She also prepares annual and interim financial statements, payroll tax returns, and sales tax returns for various states. She helps reconcile general ledger accounts for tax and audit engagements. Megan regularly assists clients by organizing financial record-keeping systems. She is a 2013 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, with B.S. degrees in private accounting, public accounting, and corporate finance.

Becca Kiser – Forvis Mazars, LLC

Becca is a member of the Public Sector Practice and Nonprofit Practice at Forvis Mazars and has more than nine years of experience working with governmental entities and nonprofits. She completed a two-year term as an associate practice fellow with GASB, where she helped develop standards and assisted with technical inquiries. This experience helps her better assist clients in applying the GASB standards and understanding the thought process behind the standards. Becca is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas, with a B.B.A. degree in accounting. Years of experience conducting municipal audits: nine

Caran Curry – Arkansas Municipal League

Caran Curry has been working with grants for over 40 years. She is an attorney and the former director of a state agency where she was the state administrator of several federal grants. She has lectured in over 30 states about grants and for many federal departments including the Department of Justice, Transportation, Health and Human Services, EPA, and National Endowment for the Arts. She is currently the Grants Attorney for the Arkansas Municipal League.

John Wilkerson – Arkansas Municipal League

                An Arkansas native through and through, John earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Arkansas before diving into law school at the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2006, he joined the Arkansas Municipal League as a law clerk, and his hard work and legal skills earned him a position as staff litigator after he passed the bar. John's dedication to his clients and leadership within the League propelled him to senior legal counsel, and ultimately to General Counsel where he has been serving since 2018. Outside of work, John calls Little Rock home, where he lives with his wife, Zara, and their three kids: Razik, Amila, and Merah. John enjoys attending UALR Trojans basketball games and traveling Arkansas to highlight its hidden gems on his podcast: “There’s Something Here.”

Joy Black – City of Bryant

Joy Black has been a member of AGFOA and GFOA since 2007 when she moved back to Arkansas from Texas. In Texas, she graduated from the University of Texas in Austin and received her CPA. She went to work in public accounting/audit for Deloitte. When she moved back to Arkansas, she became the Accounting/Purchasing Manager for the City of Hot Springs. In 2014 she accepted the position of Director of Finance for the City of Bryant. She continues in that position today. She also has a husband named Edward, a seven-year-old named Camber, and two new kittens named Cheeto and Rosabell.  

Tyler Winningham – City of Conway

Tyler Winningham has been the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Conway since 2011.  He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2003 with a bachelor’s in business administration, majoring in accounting.  He worked for Lindsey & Company in Searcy for 1 ½ years as an Accountant, where he completed monthly and annual accounting duties for approximately 20 housing authorities across the country.  In 2005 he accepted a job with the City of Maumelle as an Accountant and was quickly appointed the Finance Director in January of 2006 after the previous Director left.  He worked there until September of 2011 when he was hired to become the CFO in Conway.

Casey Wilhelm – City of Rogers

Casey Wilhelm is the Director of Finance for the City of Rogers. She manages the Finance office for the City of Rogers, which is responsible for the payroll, receivables, payables, investments, grants and budgets. Ms. Wilhelm is a graduate of Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and holds an active CPA license in Arkansas. She started her career with the Division of Legislative Audit in 1997, where she primarily audited cities and counties. In 2013, she started working for the City of Rogers as the Director of Finance. Ms. Wilhelm is a member of the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accounts and a member of the Arkansas Government Finance Officers Association.

Mayor Joe Hurst

Mayor Joe Hurst was elected to his second term as mayor of Van Buren on November 8, 2022. Prior to serving as mayor, he spent nearly 9 years as the City of Van Buren’s first city planner. His career in municipal government began as an assistant city planner in Rogers, Arkansas, and then he was hired as the first city planner in El Dorado, Arkansas. Mayor Hurst earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Ouachita Baptist University and his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Mayor Hurst sits on several boards and commissions, including the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority Board, and was a past Chairman of the Arkansas Municipal League’s Economic Development Advisory Council. In 2019, Mayor Hurst was selected as a member of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Forty Under 40, and in 2025, he was selected as one of the top 100 influencers in local government by the Engaging Local Government Leaders organization. Mayor Hurst’s wife Amanda is a law professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, and they have two children, Eli and Kate.

Mayor Molly Rawn

Mayor Molly Rawn was elected Mayor of Fayetteville in December 2024 and took office in January 2025. She leads one of Arkansas's fastest-growing cities, guiding strategic investments in infrastructure, housing, transportation, public safety, parks, and quality-of-life initiatives. Under Mayor Rawn's leadership, the city has prioritized long-range planning, fiscal responsibility, and operational improvements that position Fayetteville for sustainable growth. Her administration has focused on expanding housing opportunities, modernizing development processes, improving public infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships that support residents and businesses alike. Mayor Rawn's first budget reflected those priorities, aligning community needs with long-term financial planning while maintaining essential city services and investments. The budget was balanced and focused on preparing Fayetteville for continued growth through strategic investments in infrastructure, housing, public safety, and economic vitality. Mayor Rawn helped launch the SEC Mayors Alliance through the U.S. Conference of Mayors, creating a forum for leaders from SEC communities to exchange ideas and practical solutions. Although these cities are known for fierce rivalries on the field, they share many of the same opportunities and challenges off the field. The alliance provides a way for local leaders to learn from one another and bring innovative approaches back to their own communities. Prior to serving as mayor, Rawn spent more than a decade leading nonprofit and community development organizations, including serving as CEO of Experience Fayetteville, where she helped drive economic development, tourism growth, and community investment. She has also served on numerous local, regional, and national boards dedicated to strengthening Northwest Arkansas and improving quality of life across the region. Mayor Rawn believes local government works best when it plans for the future while delivering results residents can see in their daily lives. Her administration is focused on ensuring Fayetteville remains a place where people can afford to live, build a business, raise a family, and enjoy a high quality of life for generations to come.

George Shelton

George Shelton has an extremely well-rounded set of skills from leading management teams, communicating policy, and working closely on political campaigns. Most recently he worked on the Reputation management team at Walmart as Senior Director for Insights, Advocacy, and Outreach. He communicated company goals and initiatives. Some initiatives included environmental stability, healthy foods in their stores, locally grown produce, and $4 generic prescriptions. He was a partner at a political strategy firm in D.C. where he coordinated communication efforts for those seeking public office.

Leigh Ann Biernat

Leigh Ann Biernat has more than 30 years of accounting, finance, and capital markets experience and serves as Head of Public Finance at Stephens Inc. In this role, she oversees a multi-state team working with municipalities, utilities, school districts and other public-sector and nonprofit issuers on taxable and tax-exempt financings. Her experience spans both the issuer and investment banking perspectives, having served in senior finance and administration roles within state and local government before joining Stephens in 2015. Her areas of experience include general obligation, tax-backed, and revenue bond financing, as well as municipal debt administration and capital planning. She works closely with issuers, financing teams, and other stakeholders on financing transactions and long-term capital funding initiatives. Leigh Ann is a Certified Public Accountant and holds municipal securities and investment advisory registrations.

Joe Archer – Arkansas Legislative Audit

Joe joined Arkansas Legislative Audit in September of 1991 as a Field Auditor in the Southwest Region, auditing cities, counties, and educational institutions. In July of 2015, Joe became a Supervising Senior Auditor. He was promoted to Supervisor in August of 2016, to Audit Manager in April 2022, and to Deputy Legislative Auditor in April of 2024. Joe received a bachelor’s in business administration (BBA), from Henderson State University in May of 1991. He became a Certified Public Accountant in November of 2016. Joe is married to his wife, Shannon, and they have two grown daughters: Ashton and Jameson. The Archers reside in Prattsville.

Candice Gasaway - Arkansas Legislative Audit

Candice graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Business Administration in December 1997 and a Master of Business Administration in May 1999.  She became a Certified Public Accountant in May 2008.  Candice joined Arkansas Legislative Audit in June 1999 as a field auditor in the State Agency Section.  In 2002, she began working in the Performance Section, which included performance audits and special projects.  In 2011, she transferred to the Local Section auditing cities, counties, and educational institutions.  She was promoted to Field Audit Supervisor in September 2022 and Audit Manager in July 2024. Her duties include reviewing City, County, and Prosecuting Attorney reports for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with state laws.

Blake Pennington – City of Fayetteville

Blake Pennington is the Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Fayetteville. He joined the City Attorney’s Office in 2014 and handles a broad range of municipal matters including litigation, contracts, land use, and development. Blake is active in professional and community organizations, including serving as the Arkansas State Chair for the International Municipal Lawyers Association and as past President of the Arkansas City Attorneys Association. He serves on the board of directors for Peace at Home Family Shelter and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas Law Alumni Society Board.  Blake also mentors young attorneys in Fayetteville and law students at the University of Arkansas, where he earned both his undergraduate and law degrees.

Patti Gilliland - Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration

Patti works for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.  She is the District Manager of Northwest District Office of Field Audit with offices in Bentonville and Fort Smith.  After graduating from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri with a BSBA in Accounting, she began a career with the State in 1996 as a Tax Auditor.  She was promoted to Tax Auditor Supervisor in 2000 and Manager in 2019.  She and her staff are responsible for investigating and auditing over 50 different tax types, refund claims, and tax incentive programs.  Patti has given numerous presentations to accounting groups, private and public companies, and educational institutions in Arkansas as well as providing in-house training and continuing education to Field Audit personnel statewide.