FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 4, 2024)- Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball announces the remainder of her executive leadership team. Auditor Ball will serve as the 48th Kentucky Auditor.
“I am pleased to announce the complete list of appointments to my team, which consists of outstanding professionals who bring a wide range of experiences to the APA," said Auditor Ball. “I am confident this team will work diligently to ensure Kentucky taxpayer dollars are spent thoughtfully and ethically."
Alexander Magera will be the Executive Director of the Office of Special Examinations and will oversee specialized audit investigations and examinations. Previously, Magera served as Assistant Solicitor General for Attorney General Daniel Cameron and as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Eugene Siler Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law.
Matt Frey will serve as the Executive Director of the Office of State Government Audits and Technology, where he will lead comprehensive audits of state government entities. Frey previously served as the Communications Director and Policy Advisor for Treasurer Ball. Before that, he served as Executive Director for the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission. Frey obtained his undergraduate degree from Northern Kentucky University and holds a Master's of Economics from George Washington University.
Jim Royse will continue to serve as the Executive Director of the Office of Local Government Audits. Royce has been at the Auditor's Office since 1994 and has served in various roles during that time, including Deputy Executive Director of Financial Audits, Audit Manager, and financial auditor. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in accounting.
Jonathan R. Grate will continue his service to the Auditor's office in a new role as Executive Director of the Office of Planning and Management. Grate previously served five years at APA under Auditor Mike Harmon, having stints as both Chief of Staff and General Counsel. Grate previously served as Deputy Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and for over 20 years at the Legislative Research Commission. He obtained both his Juris Doctor and undergraduate degrees from the University of Kentucky.
Maira Gomez will serve as Deputy General Counsel, where she will assist the General Counsel in providing legal advice and guidance in support of APA functions. Gomez previously worked at English Lucas Priest & Owsley, LLP in Bowling Green and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law.
Joy Pidgorodetska Markland will serve as Communications Director, where she will manage strategic communication efforts for Auditor Ball's initiatives and help deliver audit findings to the public. Markland previously served as Deputy Communications Director at the KY State Treasury. In 2022, Markland graduated from Asbury University where she served as Student Body President. Joy also served as the Kentucky FFA State President from 2018-2019.
Jocky Christian Denguessi Kwin will serve as the Director of Constituent Services. Jocky will address concerns from constituents and ensure effective communication between the Auditor's office and the public. Denguessi previously served as the Director of Unclaimed Property under Ball's leadership in the State Treasurer's Office. He was born in Cameroon and became a U.S. Citizen in 2017. He holds a Political Science degree from Campbellsville University.
Brian Ingle will be the Director of Financial and Administrative Services. Previously, Ingle served as the Director of Disbursements and Accounting at the Treasurer's Office under the leadership of Treasurer Ball. Ingle has extensive experience in state government, including time working as Director of Motor Vehicle Licensing with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Brian graduated with his bachelor's from Central Bible College.
Noah Wilson will continue to serve as the Director of Information Technology and will continue to oversee the technological infrastructure of the Auditor's office. Wilson has prior work experience with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Commonwealth Office of Technology, and Kentucky Educational Television. He is a graduate of Bluegrass Community and Technical College and he currently holds an active AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate Certification.
Jane Harper will serve as Special Assistant. Harper previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Auditor Harmon and spent time serving in the Office of the Secretary for the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. She also brings 20 years of executive support experience from her time working for The Fellowship Community, a non-profit in Louisville.
Daniel McQuerry will continue to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Auditor. Before joining APA, McQuerry was a licensed real estate agent. He also extensively volunteered for Auditor Harmon's gubernatorial campaign and other campaigns in years past.
Auditor Allison Ball took office on January 1, 2024. Auditor Ball is a ninth-generation eastern Kentuckian from Floyd County who previously served the Commonwealth as State Treasurer over the past eight years.