Presenters

The 2024 Fall Conference Presenters are listed in order of appearance.

Kevin Futryk brings over four decades of government affairs expertise to his role as Executive Director of the County Treasurers Association. His career in public service began in 1977 when he was elected to the Seven Hills City Council at age 19, making him one of Ohio's youngest elected officials. After serving as an LSC intern for the Ohio House of Representatives and working in former Cleveland Mayor George Voinovich's administration, Kevin established himself as an independent lobbyist in Columbus. Since 1984, he has successfully represented both private and public sector interests before the Ohio General Assembly, Governor's Office, state agencies, and local governments.

Alex Zumbar has served as Stark County Treasurer since 2010. His prior public service includes roles as Alliance City Council member (1996-2003), Alliance City Auditor (2003-2008), and Finance Director of North Canton (2008-2010). He earned his Certified Public Finance Administrator certification in 2019.

Dan Talarek has served as Lorain County Treasurer since April 1989. Prior to becoming Treasurer, he held positions as chief deputy treasurer (1975-1989) and personal property tax collector (1971-1975) within the office. In his role as Treasurer, Talarek oversees county tax collection and investments. He also serves on multiple county boards, including the Board of Revision, Data Board, and Budget Commission. Throughout his tenure, he has maintained a focus on responsible fiscal management and stewardship of public funds.

Erin Glossop is a government relations professional at Government Advantage Group with extensive legislative experience in the Ohio General Assembly. Starting as a Legislative Service Commission Fellow in 2019, she advanced through several key positions, including legislative aide to State Senator Teresa Fedor and senior legislative aide to Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio. As Deputy Director of Policy, Budget, and Finance in the Senate Minority Caucus, she managed health and human services policy and has contributed to multiple successful bipartisan initiatives that are now Ohio law.

Jeff Brodsly serves as CEO of ReCo/100 Group. A serial entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in fintech and payment processing, Brodsly has founded several successful ventures including Chosen Payments and 100GROUP. Under his leadership, Chosen Payments was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of America's fastest-growing companies. He was named among the Ten Best CEOs of 2020, with his companies achieving combined valuations exceeding $200 million. Brodsly's business philosophy centers on innovative problem-solving and premium service delivery through his various ventures, including the VIP Experience.

J. Brad Lewis serves as President of F&E PaymentPros, where he oversees customer experience, solution sales, implementation, and support operations across more than 25 states. With 40 years of experience in service and technology management, Lewis has consulted on accounting and business operations for organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. He specializes in process improvement and business operations optimization.

Niko Spyridonos is the Founder and CEO of AutoAgent, a company he established in 2001. Under his leadership, AutoAgent developed innovative tax payment processing solutions, beginning with a web portal for the Cook County Treasurer's office in Illinois. The company's proprietary technology has streamlined tax payment processes and significantly reduced payment errors for over two decades. Beyond his professional work, Spyridonos is an experienced pilot.

Gary Norton is the founder of Norton Technology/ReCo Cashiering, established in 1997. As the principal architect, he pioneered secure remote assistance technology, transforming client support services. Under his leadership, ReCo has become a leading provider of technological solutions for U.S. County and City Governments. Norton's innovative revenue collection software has revolutionized local government operations, enhancing efficiency and fiscal management. His contributions have established new benchmarks in government technology and service delivery.
 

Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., is the owner of Regionomics®, a consultancy specializing in local economic analysis and development. With nearly 30 years of experience in economic development and analysis in Ohio, his firm provides services including economic development strategy, workforce strategy, economic impact analysis, and fiscal analysis for local governments. Before founding Regionomics in 2011, he served as vice president of economic analysis for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for 12 years and spent four years with Rickenbacker Port Authority. A recognized authority on the Ohio and Columbus economies, he currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at The Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. 

Anthony (Tony) Okray serves as Senior Vice President Government Banking Relationship Manager at Huntington Bank, overseeing government clients across eight counties in the Stark and Summit County Ohio markets. With over 31 years of banking experience, he has held key positions at several institutions including Star/FirstStar Bank, US Bank, and FirstMerit Bank, where he led Treasury Management operations for Northeast Ohio markets for more than a decade.

Amber Buening serves as Security Outreach Director, SVP at Huntington Bank, where she leads initiatives to enhance security awareness and protect against emerging threats. Her team collaborates with Fraud, Risk, Physical Security, and Cybersecurity departments while building strategic partnerships with community, industry, and governmental organizations. Prior to Huntington Bank, she spent 12 years at The Ohio State University, most recently as Associate Director of Disaster Recovery and Security Outreach, where she contributed to several enterprise-wide security initiatives.

Todd Ritzler brings over 29 years of banking industry experience, specializing in government banking solutions that enhance operations and reduce risk for communities. His extensive background includes leadership roles in product management, strategic planning, and regional sales across retail, commercial, treasury management, healthcare, and government banking sectors. Todd serves on the Monroe County Business Alliance and Lenawee County Financial Stability Coalition boards, and is active in several government finance associations.

Brad Westover has served as Executive Director of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA) since 2011, following a career managing over $1.5 billion in tax lien certificate investments across 23 states. As founder of the NTLA Foundation, he works to protect elderly and disabled homeowners from tax foreclosure. His community leadership includes coordinating 10,500 volunteers for hurricane cleanup in South Florida, earning him the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year award from the Miami Association of Realtors. A fluent Spanish speaker, Westover frequently presents at industry events nationwide.

Brad Cromes serves as Treasurer of Cuyahoga County, bringing significant experience from his eight-year tenure as Portage County Treasurer. During his time in Portage County, he modernized taxpayer services and spearheaded innovative financial programs, including a low-cost home improvement loan initiative in partnership with local banks. Cromes also created a groundbreaking Financial Wellness Fair that connected residents with personal finance experts. A Certified Government Financial Manager since 2016, Cromes is one of only 200 professionals in Ohio holding this designation.

Kathy Kelich has served as Belmont County Treasurer since 2013. As chair of Belmont County's land bank since 2017, she has led efforts to acquire and demolish blighted properties while fostering partnerships with local communities. In 2023, Kelich was appointed to the board of the Ohio Land Bank Association, expanding her role in property rehabilitation initiatives at the state level.

Ric Wasserman serves as the Athens County Treasurer, a position he has held since 2018. He is co-owner of the Pigskin Bar and Grille on Court Street in Athens. Throughout his 30-year business career, Wasserman has owned or co-owned six different enterprises.

Alex Zumbar has served as Stark County Treasurer since 2010. His prior public service includes roles as Alliance City Council member (1996-2003), Alliance City Auditor (2003-2008), and Finance Director of North Canton (2008-2010). He earned his Certified Public Finance Administrator certification in 2019.

Jason Click is President of Meeder Public Funds with over 20 years of industry experience. As a member of Meeder's Executive Management Team, he oversees the strategic direction of the Public Funds and Wealth Management businesses. A frequent speaker at industry conferences and published contributor, Click holds various FINRA certifications including series 6, 63, and 7, as well as the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Lindsay Webb has served as Lucas County Treasurer since 2018, becoming the first woman to hold this position in Lucas County. Previously, she served as a member of Toledo City Council.

Dave Wolters has served as Mercer County Treasurer since being elected to office in November 2016. His prior professional experience includes 15 years in the property and casualty insurance industry and 17 years as CFO in aerospace manufacturing. Before becoming County Treasurer, he served as campaign treasurer for State Representative Jim Zehringer, who later became Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and State Representative Jim Buchy.

Michael Zuren serves as the Lake County Treasurer. He is the author of eight books and maintains active involvement in Lake County's non-profit sector, serving on multiple boards throughout the region. A longtime resident of Lake County spanning four decades, Zuren was recently inducted into the Lakeland Community College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Tom Zaino is Managing Member and founder of Zaino Hall & Farrin LLC, specializing in multi-state business tax issues. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and as Treasurer of the Manufacturing Policy Alliance. As former Ohio Tax Commissioner in Governor Bob Taft's cabinet, he led the Ohio Department of Taxation and shaped state tax policy. He previously served as a tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP and on the Ohio State Racing Commission under Governors Taft and Strickland.

Brian Perera serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at ZHF Consulting. He previously spent over twenty years as Ohio Senate Finance Director, overseeing eleven state budget cycles and working with multiple Senate administrations. Before joining ZHF, he served as Associate Vice-President for State Relations at Ohio State University, where he directed state lobbying efforts and policy initiatives.

Steve Hall has over twenty years of experience in state and local tax law, providing comprehensive tax services, legal counsel, and lobbying across multiple jurisdictions. He leads his firm's Real Estate Tax Practice Group and represents clients before various tax authorities, including the Ohio Supreme Court. As a registered lobbyist and former Assistant Counsel to the Ohio Tax Commissioner, Hall actively shapes tax policy through legislation and reform advocacy.