In Greene County, along with voting for a candidate for U.S. Senate, Republicans will select a candidate for county treasurer. Phyllis Drake and Kristi Holz are both seeking the GOP nomination. Both candidates provided information about their qualifications for the office.
They were asked to respond to four questions:
- What is your educational background and previous job experience?
- What are your qualifications for the office of county treasurer?
- The county treasurer oversees all county funds and handles investment functions. What experience do you have with investments?
- If you are elected as county treasurer, would you make any changes in how the office conducts business?
Their responses follow as written.
What is your educational background and previous job experience?
DRAKE: Received a high school diploma from Manilla Community High School. Graduated with honors from Des Moines Area Community College where I received an associate’s applied science degree specializing in Respiratory Therapy. I secured a job with Iowa Methodist Hospital, now known as UnityPoint Health from 1990-1999 specializing in neonatal and adult critical care and currently work at Greene County Medical Center in Care Management Services as Manager for Respiratory Therapy. Prior to college, I worked for a bank, a retail store, an abstract company, a farm implement dealership and a newspaper.
HOLZ: My Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Masters of Science in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University enabled me to develop analytical and problem solving skills. These skills equipped me for a career in business, agriculture and education during the past 30 years. These experiences provide me with a unique perspective on the specific challenges and broad knowledge necessary to conduct the responsibilities required for Greene County treasurer.
My previous job experience includes:
- 10 years in corporate accounting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and quarterly online reporting at a 2 corporations in the construction and farming industries.
- 13 years in farm accounting and record keeping including balance sheet, income and cash flow statements.
- 14 years in farming, including detailed record keeping of crop production, breeding, feeding, animal health, and pesticide application and field tillage. In addition, it included employee hiring and supervision as well as crop planting, harvesting and marketing.
- 12 years in manufacturing including production, quality assurance and auditing.
- 6 years as manager, supervisor, and customer service in the insurance industry at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa.
What are your qualifications for the office of county treasurer?
DRAKE: I have had the opportunity to grow, lead and manage in several different areas. I have over 30 years of experience in customer service and over 20 years of managerial experience. I have successfully run the Cardiopulmonary Services department where I manage employees, and all day- to- day operations. Other qualifications include but are not limited to: monthly audits and outcomes reporting, monthly and yearly department goals, policies and procedures, capital purchasing and budget reporting, payroll, fiscal year budget planning, reconciliation of revenue and expense reports, negotiating contracts for outside services, pro-formas, and competencies.
I am the co-leader of the Emergency Preparedness team for the hospital which includes securing grant funds from the State and I have served on the Compliance and Quality Assurance committees.
For four years I was leader and then co-leader of the Outpatient Satisfaction Team. I currently hold a seat as a peer reviewer for the State Respiratory Board which deals with misconduct within the profession. I have completed Crucial Conversation Training where I acquired skills that build relationships, create agreement, and bring best ideas to reality. I have had leadership training in conflict resolution. I am a certified process improvement advisor and trained in 5S which is a basic, fundamental systematic approach for productivity, quality and safety improvement in all types of business situations. I am competent in coaching and development, decision making, active listening, diversity, motivation, resource management, time management, technical aptitude, communication and leadership.
HOLZ: I have private industry experience in record keeping and accounting in the corporate and farm sectors combined with an education that includes both Bachelor and Masters degrees. These provide a sound fundamental knowledge for the problem solving and implementation skills necessary for managing and administering the office of the Greene County treasurer. In the private sector, I was responsible for making payrolls, managing costs and managing the profit and loss in a variety of business environments, which provide me with an in-depth understanding of the economy in Greene County. This enables me to bring a private sector perspective toward budgets, process and innovation to the office of Greene County treasurer that is both practical and common sense oriented with respect to the realities facing our region. My specific skills include proficiency in accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, net worth statements, income statements, cash flow and balance sheets. My prior work experience in the private sector required me to develop oral and written communication skills and to manage work with many people across diverse disciplines. I was required to develop strong organization skills which are necessary for managing an office with the challenges facing the treasurer. Additionally, I am technologically literate and have developed skills with Excel, Access, PowerPoint, email, the Internet and web posting. In addition, I have developed skills with customer service, grant writing, and the gathering and dissemination of information. My advanced degree in education provides me with a perspective on the process, management and communication necessary to perform this job in accordance with the economic dynamics inherent in the community and to advance the office of treasurer in a manner befitting Greene County.
The county treasurer oversees all county funds and handles investment functions. What experience do you have with investments?
DRAKE: I am comfortable working with bankers and financial advisors to make appropriate and necessary decisions that affect the funds of the county. My business experience has involved financial decision making on several occasions. I am familiar with all forms of investments including simple interest bearing accounts, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
HOLZ: I have experience managing IRAs, 401Ks, annuities, money market accounts, CDs, and savings accounts.
If you are elected as county treasurer, would you make any changes in how the office conducts business?
DRAKE: First and foremost, customer service will be my focus. This will include being an active participant in all aspects of the position and the positions of those I oversee to best serve the citizens of Greene County in an efficient, fast and friendly manner. I believe in evaluating the processes and procedures in place and appreciate that change, when and where needed, is a good thing and not something to be avoided or be afraid of. I am comfortable in making improvements that create a positive environment as well as utilize the full potential and productivity of employees.
HOLZ: Upon election, I will seek to stay current on technological changes and implement their use to make operations more efficient. Additionally, I will conduct a thorough evaluation of the current activities, particularly related to the average and seasonal funding requirements for liabilities and assess the funding gap risks. Based upon that evaluation, I will institute an asset and liability policy to control and manage risks. I will review the investment policy and implement a policy consistent with the asset, liability, and investment policies in organizations with similar objectives and risk levels.
