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UST Professor Joins Controller's Transition Team
3/5/2010
 After winning the December 12 Houston Controller’s run-off election, Ronald Green knew he would need to appoint a transition team. Green recalled the run-off debate hosted at the University of St. Thomas, where he was impressed by the caliber of students and their Cameron School of Business professor, Ramon Fernandez.
Green asked Fernandez, assistant professor of accounting, to bring his experience in income taxation, financial, governmental and non-profit accounting to his emerging transition team.
Fernandez is now part of a 10-member transition team that aimed to fulfill vacated positions in the controller’s office, including the city auditor and a director of communications.
“Whenever there is a new city controller, especially when the Mayor formerly held the position, there is a high probability that many slots will be left vacant.” Fernandez said. “Ron could have simply appointed individuals to fill the positions, but I think he wanted to have a more open and democratic process to fill the empty slots in the Controller’s office.”
Fernandez said political transition teams have been used to pave the way for incoming politicians to assert their brand of administration and the tone of their office and policies. These teams provide an important and substantial migration and integration into the new political office and duties.
“Ron wants to establish a tone of accountability and strict money management,” Fernadez said. “I think he is focused on looking at every option that would save the city money, particularly in the present economical climate. He wants to be absolutely certain that he has the right people in the right positions before embarking on his plan to evaluate city expenditures.”
There is a mutual benefit to the run-off debate held at the University. Green has gained the services of an accounting business professor with experience in government accounting, and Fernandez said he has gained the opportunity to take his newly allotted experiences back to the classroom.
“I think this experience allows me to be a more effective professor,” Fernandez said. “I think it is important for city governments to have a connection with local universities because schools can be a great resource for future employees and interns. The collaboration can be mutually beneficial.”
Since the election, Green’s office has posted several job openings with the UST career services Web site.
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