FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 3, 2024)- Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball announces the appointment of her new Chief of Staff, Assistant State Auditor, and General Counsel. Auditor Ball was publicly sworn in on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, in the Capitol Rotunda.
“I am excited to announce these impressive women who will bring excellence and vast experience to the Auditor's office," said Auditor Allison Ball. “I am eager for the work we will do together as a team to stop waste, fraud, and abuse across the Commonwealth and the opportunity we have to protect Kentucky taxpayer dollars."
Lorran Hart Ferguson will serve as Chief of Staff for Auditor Ball. As Chief of Staff, Ferguson will oversee all functions of the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts and serve as the Auditor's Chief Advisor. She previously served as the Deputy State Treasurer and Chief of Staff under Ball's leadership in the State Treasurer's office. She is a graduate of Lindsey Wilson College and the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law and is admitted to practice law in Kentucky.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Auditor Ball's Chief of Staff," Ferguson said. “I have always admired her commitment to first principles and her consistent diligence to protect Kentucky taxpayer dollars."
Shawna I. Crouse will serve as the Assistant State Auditor. In this role, she will supervise audit operations and assist in the preparation of audit reports to ensure fiscal transparency and government accountability. Previously, Crouse worked at Deloitte in its Multistate Tax business segment leading a team of professionals across the nation. Crouse, a CPA, obtained her undergraduate degree from Asbury University and holds a Master's in Accounting from the University of Virginia.
“I am honored to be a part of this dynamic team and to serve under the leadership of Auditor Ball," Crouse said. “I am excited to get to work at APA and share Auditor Ball's commitment to stopping waste, fraud, and abuse across the Commonwealth."
Brittany J. Warford will serve as the General Counsel and Director of Public Policy for Auditor Ball, where she will lead the Auditor's legal efforts and advise on policy matters. Warford previously served two years as General Counsel under Ball's leadership in the State Treasurer's office. In addition to her experience practicing law in the public sector, she also practiced finance law at two leading private firms, Frost Brown Todd and Holland & Knight. Warford is a graduate of the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law.
“Treasurer Ball has proven to be an invaluable leader for Kentucky. I have been honored to work under her leadership for the past two years, and I am overjoyed to continue serving Auditor Ball and Kentuckians across the state."
A full list of Auditor Ball's executive team will be made available soon. Auditor Ball will serve as the 48th Auditor of Public Accounts. Before she was elected State Auditor, Ball served as the Kentucky State Treasurer for eight years, where she promoted financial literacy and transparency, and she returned record amounts of unclaimed property.