For Position 3

Debra Roberts, Deputy Executive Director/CFO, State of Maryland–Maryland Teachers & State Employees Supplemental Retirement Plans

Debra Roberts Photo

GFOA Activities

  • GFOA Member for fifteen years
  • Serves on GFOA’s Committee on Retirement and Benefits Administration; previously served on GFOA’s Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting Committee
  • GFOA conference speaker for the following sessions: Reap What You Sow: Financial Reporting for Defined Contribution (2021) and Not Quite Retired: An Update on the Implementation of the GASB’s New Pension Standards and on topics of Pension and OPEB (2014–2016)
  • Member of GFOA’s Black Caucus
  • Her organization has received GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for ten years

Contributions to the Profession/Jurisdiction

  • In current role, directs and oversees the Finance department of $4.4b defined contribution plans and provides executive leadership to internal and external stakeholders, including the Governor, Office of Legislative Analysis, and Budget and Management
  • Manages and oversees investment operations in the organization, writes ACFR, and oversees and directs financial statement audit; serves as special advisor to a nine-member board of trustees on tax, legislative, and budgetary matters
  • Oversees Members Services providing participants with educational webinars and other training opportunities
  • Develops policies and procedures for internal financial controls and travel/fleet and serves as Chief Procurement Officer
  • Prepares fiscal estimates for legislative bill analysis
  • Serves as Adjunct faculty in Accounting at Southern New Hampshire University; acts as a facilitator for the subjects of Accounting and Business, which includes the following courses: Cost Accounting, Principles of Accounting, and Governmental and Not for Profit Accounting
  • Serves on the Investment Committee for the University of Baltimore Foundation
  • Practice as a Certified Public Accountant for more than twenty years

Goals for GFOA

The level of diversity within GFOA’s membership depends on how effective outreach programs are in capturing underrepresented groups and using such knowledge to broaden its exposure to those groups in public forums, conferences, and other teaching opportunities. I believe GFOA should actively engage members of specific groups for inclusion in activities that expands access to specific individuals and creates opportunities for developing mentoring relationships.

Education

University of Phoenix, Master of Business Administration
University of Maryland, Bachelor of Science, Business and Management