Thursday, May 14 | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Registration
8:00 AM
Arizona Retirement Update: ASRS, PSPRS, SECURE 2.0, and Employer Strategy
9:00 – 9:50 AM | 1 CPE
Speakers:
Paul Matson, Executive Director, ASRS
Clark Partridge, Interim Assistant Administrator, PSPRS
Charlie Francis, Senior Consultant, PARS
Carter Kimberly, Senior Consultant, PARS
ASRS and PSPRS continue to shape some of the most important financial and administrative decisions facing Arizona public employers. In this session, Paul Matson, Executive Director of ASRS, will speak about ASRS programs, helpful statistics, customer service, fiscal status, and employer considerations, and Clarke Partridge, Interim Assistant Administrator of PSPRS, will provide an update on PSPRS issues and the implications for Arizona local governments. Their presentations will give attendees a timely overview of the two retirement systems that most directly affect public employers across the state.
The session will also address key compliance developments affecting employer-sponsored 401(a) and 457(b) plans, including important SECURE 2.0 changes such as mandatory Roth catch-up requirements for certain higher-earning employees and the new age 60–63 super catch-up contribution tier. Additional discussion will cover Arizona’s China divestment requirements and related administrative considerations for plan sponsors. Finally, Charlie Francis and Carter Kimberly of PARS will discuss how Section 115 trusts can help employers manage pension contribution volatility, support budget stability, and strengthen long-term financial resilience.
Presentation:
Arizona Retirement Update Presentation
Paul Matson
Executive Director, ASRS
Paul Matson has been with the Arizona State Retirement System since late 1995, serving initially as Chief Investment Officer, and since 2003 as Executive Director, overseeing an approximately $60 billion investment portfolio and 220 employees. Oversight includes pension, health insurance, long-term disability, and defined contribution plans. Paul reports to a nine-member Board of Trustees.
Previously, Paul has served as a Senior Investment Advisor at the Treasury Division, Workers Compensation Board, Alberta, Canada, and as a Financial Analyst and Portfolio Analyst in the Investment Management Division, Alberta Treasury, Alberta, Canada.
In 2012, Paul was honored as “Leader of the Year in Public Policy – Government” by the Arizona Capitol Times.
Paul has served on the Canada Arizona Business Council, the Arizona Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Fund Board, the Arizona Life and Disability Insurance Guaranty Fund Board, the Arizona State Governing Committee for Deferred Compensation Plans, and the Alberta Investment Management Investment Operations Committee.
Paul holds a Master of Arts, International Relations, Arizona State University, with a research focus on international terrorism, a Master of Business Administration, Simon Fraser University, with a research focus on financial derivatives, a Bachelor of Commerce, University of Alberta, is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Charterholder, a Chartered Financial Analyst Charterholder, a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, a Canadian Investment Manager (CIM), and a Certified Cash Manager. Paul is also a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy.
Clark Partridge
Interim Assistant Administrator, PSPRS
D. Clark Partridge is a Senior Executive with the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. He has over 37 years of State service.
He began his career with the State of Arizona in the General Accounting Office in 1989 and has served in various capacities, including Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Commerce, Deputy State Comptroller, and over 18 years as State Comptroller. Prior to joining the State, he worked in public accounting for Arthur Andersen & Co.
Clark is a former Trustee of the Arizona State Retirement System Board. He served as a Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board, Investments Committee, and the Operations, Audit, and Legislative Committee. He was a member of the Association of Governmental Accountants (AGA) Partnership for Intergovernmental Management and Accountability from 2007-24, serving as Co-Chair for 15 years. He also served as a member of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Tribal Governmental Accounting Work Group.
Clark is a Past-President of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers (NASACT) and the National Association of State Comptrollers (NASC), and has served on a variety of NASACT and NASC committees. He attended Brigham Young University on a leadership scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).
Charlie Francis
Senior Consultant, PARS
As Senior Consultant, Charles is a local government finance expert who helps public agencies in pension and OPEB policy development. He provides local and state governments with real solutions – both short and long-term financial solvency, stability and fiscal resiliency.
With more than 45 years of experience, Charles is a retired municipal finance director having local government financial management experience in both the public and private sectors. In his most recent role as the Director of Administrative Services and Treasurer for the City of Sausalito, he led the city to being the first in the nation to implement the pension rate stabilization program (PRSP), an innovative, IRC section 115 irrevocable trust program designed to help public agencies manage their ongoing pension costs through prefunding.
Charles specializes in local government municipal finance, including twenty years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer. He has also served as a Finance Manager for the Town of Colma, CA and as Chief Financial Officer for the Cities of Indian Wells, CA, Tracy, CA and Treasure Island, FL.
Carter Kimberly
Senior Consultant, PARS
Carter Kimberly is a Senior Consultant with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS), where he works with public agencies across Arizona to navigate retirement-related challenges, including pension funding, OPEB strategy, and regulatory compliance. He focuses on helping finance teams align long-term liabilities with practical funding and administrative strategies. Carter holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and has spent the past seven years working with public agencies.
State Treasurer Presentation
10:00 – 10:50 AM | 1 CPE
Speaker:
Jake Richardson, LGIP Portfolio Manager, Office of the State Treasurer of Arizona
The Arizona State Treasurers office will be presenting General information on what is happening at the State Treasurers office and information on the Local Government Investment Pool.
Presentation:
State Treasurer Presentation
Jake Richardson
LGIP Portfolio Manager, Office of the State Treasurer of Arizona
Under the direction of the Chief Investment Officer, Jake Richardson serves as Portfolio Manager for the Local Government Investment Pools (LGIP) with more than $7.5 Billion in assets under management. Jake is responsible for prudently investing money placed with the Treasury by local governments on behalf of their taxpayers. After working as a Financial Planner and passing the FINRA Series 65 Investment Advisor licensing exam, Jake joined the Office of the State Treasurer Arizona in January 2015. Jake served as Senior Investment Analyst providing lead support to the Chief Investment Officer and the Director of Endowments and was responsible for monitoring and reviewing current and potential investments, and ensuring the Treasury remained in compliance with investment regulations and Arizona law. While working at the Treasury, Jake also obtained a Certificate in Commercial Credit from Moody’s Analytics in 2017. Born and raised in Phoenix, Jake graduated from Northern Arizona University with a double major in Management and Finance and attended Deer Valley High School.
OBBBA No Tax on Overtime: Key Employer Considerations and Next Steps
11:00 – 11:50 AM | 1 CPE
Speaker:
Leah Davis, CPA, Partner, HR and Payroll Services, Abdo
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) went into effect in 2025, creating mandatory, retroactive tracking and reporting requirements that have the potential to reshape your entire payroll and employment ecosystem. This session moves beyond high-level regulatory overviews of the legislation to give you insights into the real operational impacts and W-2 reporting considerations you’ll need to understand to ensure compliance, address employee tax filing needs, and prevent painful year-end adjustments.
Presentation:
OBBBA No Tax on Overtime Presentation
Leah Davis
CPA, Partner, HR and Payroll Services, Abdo
Leah Davis joined Abdo in 2016 and now leads the Firm's HR and Payroll Advisory practice. She spends her time helping employers find creative ways to capture opportunities and overcome their most pressing HR and payroll challenges. As an active CPA and after owning and operating an outsourced HR and payroll consulting business for nearly a decade, Leah has worked with employers across all industries but spends most of her time working with local governments. She also has several years of experience in public accounting, focusing on business tax and financial institutions. This variety of experiences equip Leah with a unique perspective on the complex HR, payroll, financial, regulatory, and strategic planning issues that public and private employers face every day.
Lunch
12:00 - 12:50 PM
Disaster Preparedness
1:00 - 1:50 PM | 1 CPE
Speakers:
Jacob Johnson, Emergency Manager, Scottsdale
Whitney Pitt, Business Services Director, Scottsdale
In an era of increasing natural disasters, public health emergencies, and economic disruptions, government finance officers play a critical role in ensuring community resilience. This session explores dimensions of disaster preparedness, equipping participants with practical strategies to plan, respond, and recover effectively. The session will also highlight best practices in interdepartmental coordination to support rapid and transparent financial decision-making under pressure. Through expert insights, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how proactive planning can mitigate risk, accelerate recovery, and safeguard public resources.
Presentations:
Disaster Preparedness Presentation
Jacob Johnson
Emergency Manager, City of Scottsdale
I began my career with the City of Scottsdale in June 2022 as a Security, Safety, and Training Coordinator with Water Resources, transitioned to Emergency Management Coordinator in October 2022, and was promoted to Emergency Manager in July 2024. Prior to joining the City, I served as a Law Enforcement Park Ranger with the National Park Service in 2021. My professional foundation is rooted in 20 years of service in the U.S. Army (2000–2020), where I started as a wheeled vehicle mechanic before earning selection into Special Forces and serving as a Special Forces Engineer. I have served overseas through multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Lebanon, along with humanitarian and peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Egypt, and Haiti. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Public Service and Public Policy with a concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arizona State University, an associate degree in Military Leadership from Rio Salado College, and certifications including EMT and Certified Emergency Manager, complemented by extensive FEMA and military training that supports my leadership in emergency management.
Whitney Pitt
Business Services Director, Scottsdale
After playing collegiate softball and graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication, I took on the retail world as an assistant manager at Target. Worked my way up over the next 8 years to multi-store director but in 2015 decided to join the city of Scottsdale as the Police Records Manager. After 5.5 years with the Police department switched over to Treasury in 2021 and took on the Business Services Director position where I currently oversee- Utility Billing, Collections, Remittance, Alarm Permitting, Business Licensing, Passports and Tax Audit. GFOA Utility Finance advisory member, Scottsdale Leadership Class XL, Arizona native, residing in Gilbert with my husband of 11 years, 3 kids and a Police K9.
Public Assistance: Best Practices for the Grants & Finance Team
2:00 - 2:50 PM | 1 CPE
Speaker:
Ian M. Keogh, Public Assistance Branch Manager, AZ DEMA
This presentation will walk the audience through a high-level summary of the Public Assistance program, the requirements of the State and Local governments to manage PA documentation effectively, and end with actionable procedures to put into place for successful program management.
Presentations:
Public Assistance: Best Practices Presentation
Ian Keogh
Public Assistance Branch Manager, AZ DEMA
Ian Keogh currently serves as the Public Assistance Branch Manager for the State of Arizona's Department of Military and Emergency Affairs. For Emergency Management, he also worked for the City of Honolulu as their Planning Chief/Mitigation Officer, and for the State of South Carolina as the State Public Assistance Officer. Between 2021 and 2026, Mr. Keogh has been activated in the Emergency Operations Center for local flooding events, wildfires, tropical storms, and hurricanes.
Prior to working in Emergency Management, Mr. Keogh enjoyed a 20-year career in Education, working as a teacher at the middle/high school levels, and serving as the Dean of Academic Affairs at the proprietary college level.
Concludes
2:50 PM
Information
This training is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday May 14, 2026 at The Post in Mesa, AZ (26 N. Macdonald St, Mesa, AZ 85201).
5 CPE's
$45 Members
$60 Non-Members
**includes 5 CPE credits, there will be a continental breakfast and coffee provided, as well as lunch. Parking: Included.
Online registration will close on May 8, 2026.
Advance registrants unable to attend the conference are eligible to receive a partial refund of your registration fee by sending a written request on or before May 8, 2026. If a written cancellation request is received before May 8, 2026, a $10 processing fee will be charged regardless of the reason for cancellation (including medical emergencies). Registrants who are unable to attend the training may appoint a substitute. There will be no refunds for any cancellation after May 8, 2026. Cancellations must be emailed to league@azleague.org. Cancellations will not be accepted by telephone.