Community Q&A
Real questions from local residents with Alexis’s answers on fiscal leadership, transparency, and the future of Josephine County.
Q: What experience and skills make you the best candidate for this office?
A: What makes me the best candidate is simple. I have real financial experience across corporate, small business, and nonprofit settings, along with a strong commitment to this community.
I have worked in complex corporate financial systems during periods of growth and acquisitions, managed every aspect of finances as a small business owner, and handled nonprofit funds where accountability and transparency are critical.
I also stay actively involved in our community through youth sports, working with local families and supporting programs that invest in our kids.
I am not a career politician. I am someone who understands how to manage money responsibly and is ready to bring that experience to the role of County Treasurer.
Q: Why are you running for County Treasurer?
A: I’m running for Treasurer in Josephine County because this is more than where I live. It is the community I chose to build my life in.
Earlier in my career, I worked in the corporate world. When it came time to raise my family, I made the decision to come here. I wanted to invest in a community where I could put down roots, build something meaningful, and be involved in the place my kids would grow up.
About 10 years ago, I purchased a local business. Over time, I worked to grow and strengthen it into a stable, sustainable operation. That took discipline, long-term planning, and a deep respect for every dollar. In a small business, every decision matters.
I have also spent years serving our community through youth sports, working alongside other volunteers to build programs that give local kids opportunities to learn, grow, and be part of a team.
Now I am preparing to take the next step. I am in the process of selling my business so that I can fully dedicate my time and focus to serving this community.
This is not something I plan to do on the side. It is a deliberate transition and a commitment to public service.
I am running for Treasurer because I believe this role requires real-world financial experience, accountability, and a deep respect for taxpayer dollars.
That is the mindset I will bring to serving the people of Josephine County.
I am here to serve, and I am here to listen.
Q: What does it mean to responsibly invest public funds in Josephine County?
A: The Treasurer serves as the county’s investment officer. This role carries the responsibility of making sure public funds are not only protected, but also managed in a way that follows Oregon law and supports the county’s financial stability.
Public funds are not invested the same way as private funds. There are strict state statutes that define what is allowed, and those rules are in place to prioritize safety and reliability.
This includes:
* Following Oregon statutes on allowable investments
* Prioritizing safety and liquidity before seeking returns
* Monitoring investment performance and adjusting when needed
* Maintaining clear records and accountability for every decision
The goal is not to take risks. The goal is to ensure that funds are secure, accessible when needed, and managed responsibly over time.
This requires attention to detail, discipline, and a strong understanding of both policy and financial strategy.
Throughout my career, I have had to make careful financial decisions with long term impact. I understand the importance of balancing caution with smart management, and I will approach the county’s investments with that same level of responsibility.
The people of Josephine County deserve confidence that their funds are being handled with care, transparency, and sound judgment. That is exactly what I intend to provide.
Q: What does transparency in the Treasurer’s Office mean to you, and how would you implement it?
A: Transparency is one of the most important responsibilities of the Treasurer in Josephine County.
The public has a right to know how their money is being managed. That means more than just keeping records. It means making sure information is accurate, accessible, and understandable.
The Treasurer’s office plays a key role in building and maintaining that trust through:
* Accurate and up to date financial records
* Clear and timely reporting
* Strong accountability in every process
* Open communication with the public and partner agencies
Transparency is not just about meeting requirements. It is about creating confidence that public funds are being handled responsibly and with integrity.
I believe financial information should not feel confusing or out of reach. People should be able to ask questions, get clear answers, and understand how decisions are being made.
In my own experience, strong systems and clear communication are what keep organizations running smoothly and responsibly. Those same principles apply here.
As Treasurer, I will prioritize openness, accuracy, and consistency so the people of Josephine County can have confidence in how their funds are managed.
Q: What happens if someone tries to push the Treasurer to make financial decisions based on politics instead of what is right?
A: The Treasurer’s Office must remain independent and free from political pressure. If anyone attempts to influence financial decisions for political reasons, my response will be clear and firm. I will refuse, document the interaction, and ensure every decision follows the law and established policy.
This role is about protecting public funds and serving the people of Josephine County, not political interests.
Q: If someone you know or have worked with was involved in a financial misconduct investigation, would that affect how you handle the situation?
A: No. Everyone must be held to the same standard, no matter the relationship.
Allowing personal or political connections to influence how a situation is handled would erode trust and weaken the integrity of the office. The Treasurer’s duty is to the public and to the responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.
Every situation must be handled based on facts, transparency, and the law. Fairness, consistency, and integrity are not optional in this role. They are the foundation of public trust, and I will uphold them in every decision I make.
Q: Hi Alexis, I tend to think your experience in corporate settings may be the most directly applicable to the job of Treasurer. Can you explain your corporate experience? Thanks.
A: Earlier in my career I worked for RTC Aerospace in Chatsworth, California, a manufacturer of aerospace components. During my time there the company experienced significant growth, expanding from about 50 employees to more than 200 employees.
As the company grew, I grew with it. During that time the company brought on outside investors and completed multiple business acquisitions. I was involved in helping transition those newly acquired companies into our existing operational and financial systems. That meant consolidating accounting processes, integrating financial records, and ensuring that reporting remained accurate and transparent throughout the transition.
A major part of that work involved monitoring cash flow, financial reporting, and financial controls during periods of growth and change. When multiple companies come together through acquisitions, each one often has different accounting systems, reporting structures, and financial practices. Bringing those together requires careful oversight to ensure that funds are properly accounted for, financial data is accurate, and leadership and investors have clear reporting to make informed decisions.
In many ways, those responsibilities are similar in principle to the work performed in a county treasury office. The Treasurer’s office must ensure that financial systems remain organized, transparent, and accountable while managing funds that come from many different sources and serve many different entities.
The Treasurer also acts as the County’s Investment Officer, which requires oversight of how funds are managed and invested within the boundaries of Oregon law. In the private sector, especially in a company with investors, there is a similar responsibility to ensure financial decisions are made carefully, with attention to risk management, liquidity needs, and long term financial stability. Maintaining clear reporting and accountability to ownership and stakeholders was a key part of that environment.
The Treasury Division also functions much like the county’s bank, handling the collection, distribution, and management of funds for multiple entities and taxing districts. In a growing company environment, especially one integrating multiple acquisitions, there is a similar need to track funds across multiple business units, ensure obligations are met, and maintain strong internal financial controls.
While the public sector operates under specific Oregon statutes and policies, the underlying principles remain the same. Safeguarding funds, maintaining liquidity to meet obligations, ensuring accurate reporting, and making responsible financial decisions are core responsibilities in both environments.
Experiencing that level of growth and financial complexity in the private sector gave me valuable exposure to the importance of strong financial systems, transparency, and accountability, which are all essential to the responsibilities of a County Treasurer.