Organization
Financial Services Department Organization
Management Profiles
Director:
Russell Royal
Russell.Royal@GwinnettCounty.com
Russell was named Director of the Department of Financial Services in June 2025. He began his career with Gwinnett County in 2006, working in the Grants Division, Budget Division and Department of Transportation. In addition, he served as the Fiscal Analysis Manager for more than seven years prior to becoming a Deputy Director of Financial Services. Russell earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in finance from Georgia State University. He is a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) and member of the Government Finance Officers Association. Russell has more than 20 years of experience in various financial roles in the public and private sector.
Deputy Director:
Laurie Puckett
Laurie.Puckett@GwinnettCounty.com
Laurie was appointed Deputy Director of Financial Services in October 2020. She began her career with Gwinnett County in 1987 with the Tax Commissioner’s Office, where she worked for 8 years before moving to the Department of Financial Services. Most recently she served as the Accounting Division Director. Laurie earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from North Georgia College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Georgia and has earned the designation as a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) from the Government Finance Officers Association. Laurie is a reviewer for the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award Program, and also serves on the executive board of the Georgia GFOA.
Deputy Director:
Natalie Williams
Natalie.Williams@GwinnettCounty.com
Natalie was named Deputy Director in July 2025 after serving as Treasury Director since 2020. She began her career with Gwinnett County in 2004 as a Financial Analyst in the Accounting Division and was later promoted to supervisor of the Cash Management section in the Treasury Division. In 2009, she became a manager for the Service Division (now Budget Division). In 2012, she returned to the Accounting Division as a manager. She has received certification as a Certified Financial Officer Level I and II from the University of Georgia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Georgia Southern University. Natalie currently resides in Buford, GA with her family.
Accounting Division Director:
Brian Yen
Brian was named Accounting Division Director in July of 2024. He began his career with Gwinnett County in 2012 as a Financial Analyst in the Accounting Division of the Financial Services Department. Brian departed Gwinnett County in 2018 and began his career as an Internal Auditor, before rejoining Gwinnett County in 2021 as a Financial Manager. Brian graduated from Georgia State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, concentrating in both Accounting and Finance and earned a master’s degree in business administration with a focus in Managerial Accounting from Brenau University in 2017. Brian is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Georgia.
Budget Division Director:
Joe Johnson
Joseph.Johnson@GwinnettCounty.com
Joe began his career with Gwinnett County in 2008. He has worked in the Accounting Division and also served as the Budget Manager prior to his current position as the division director of Budget. Joe has more than 20 years of experience in various financial roles in the public and private sector. Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University with an emphasis in finance. He has received certification as a Certified Financial Officer Level II from the University of Georgia and earned the designation as a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Joe resides in Snellville along with his wife, son and daughter.
Purchasing Division Director:
Holly Cafferata
Holly.Cafferata@GwinnettCounty.com
Holly began her career with Gwinnett County in 2008. She worked in the Administrative Office of the Courts prior to joining the Purchasing Division in 2009. Holly worked as a Purchasing Associate and a Purchasing Manager before being promoted to Purchasing Division Director. Holly earned a Master’s Degree of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia. She is a member of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and the Georgia Chapter of NIGP. Holly has received her certification as a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), and NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP). She has more than 13 years of experience in public sector procurement.
Chief Appraiser:
Stewart Oliver
Stewart.Oliver@GwinnettCounty.com
Stewart Oliver was appointed as Chief Appraiser by the Board of Assessors in January 2017. Prior to becoming chief, he had served as deputy chief appraiser for the County from 2011 to 2016 after joining the County in 2010. Before his employment in the Assessor’s Office, he was a residential fee appraiser. His other experience includes mortgage insurance, retail management, restaurant management, and franchise relations. Stewart holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia State University, a bachelor degree in psychology from the University of Georgia, and an associate’s degree in small business from the University of Southern Maine. He has been a licensed Georgia residential appraiser since 2005 and is an active member of the Georgia Association of Assessing Officers.
Treasury Division Director:
Jonathan Handsard
Jonathan.Hansard@GwinnettCounty.com
Jonathan was named Treasury Director in June 2025. He began his career with Gwinnett County in 2012 in the Strategic Business Development Division, where he was responsible for enterprise-level programs and system solutions. In 2014, he was promoted to lead the Cash Management team in the Finance Treasury Division, overseeing cash and banking operations, accounts receivables, merchant processing, and treasury management. Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia in 2006 and is also a recent graduate of the Gwinnett Internal Management Academy. He has over 10 years of experience in public sector finance and is a Certified Public Pension Trustee and a member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. He lives in Buford with his wife, Kelly, and their four children. Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys Georgia football and coaching his kids in sports.