-
Russell Royal
- Director
- 770.822.8724
- Russell.Royal@GwinnettCounty.com
Gwinnett County
Government
Government
Winter Weather Alert : Some County services will be impacted by inclement weather conditions.
Learn MoreWelcome to the new GwinnettCounty.com : Read about all the exciting enhancements and changes.
Learn MoreOrganization
About Russell Royal
Russell was named Director of the Department of Financial Services in June 2025. He began his career with Gwinnett County in 2006. He has held roles in Budget and Grants Management, as well as the Department of Transportation. He served as the Fiscal Analysis Manager for more than seven years prior to becoming Deputy Director of Financial Services, a role he held for four years. Russell earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in finance from Georgia State University. He is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association. Russell has more than 25 years of experience in various financial roles in the public and private sector.
-
Laurie Puckett
- Deputy Director
- 770.822.7715
- Laurie.Puckett@GwinnettCounty.com
About Laurie Puckett
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.
-
Natalie Williams
- Deputy Director
- 770.822.7712
- Natalie.Williams@GwinnettCounty.com
About Natalie Williams
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.
-
Brian Yen
- Accounting Division Director
- 770.822.7702
- Brian.Yen@GwinnettCounty.com
About 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.
-
Joe Johnson
- Budget Division Director
- 770.822.7832
- Joseph.Johnson@GwinnettCounty.com
About Joe Johnson
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.
-
Phinda Hillmon
- Grants Division Director
- 770.822.5079
- NdePhinda.Hillmon@GwinnettCounty.com
About Phinda Hillmon
Dr. Nde Phinda Hillmon (also known as Phinda) was appointed Director of the Grants Division in October 2025. She holds a Doctorate in Education, a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Community and Economic Development, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University. Dr. Hillmon brings more than 15 years of experience in public-sector programming and grants management, with extensive expertise across federal, state, and local government operations. She is a member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. Dr. Hillmon resides in Grayson with her husband, Kavien, and their two children. Outside of work, she enjoys attending community and sporting events with her family and supporting humanitarian efforts around the world.
-
Holly Cafferata
- Purchasing Division Director
- 770.822.8721
- Holly.Cafferata@GwinnettCounty.com
About Holly Cafferata
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.
-
Jonathan Hansard
- Treasury Division Director
- 770.822.8743
- Jonathan.Hansard@GwinnettCounty.com
About Jonathan Handsard
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.