Randie Stein – Bio
Randie Stein has 20 years public finance experience which includes most general government categories of financing with particular expertise in Arizona tax policy and State budget issues. She is a former Research Staff Director for the Arizona State Senate. She works on all State of Arizona engagements including prior engagements for the School Facilities Board, ADOT (as a co-manager), the Department of Administration and the Governor’s Office of Education. Ms. Stein’s financial advisory experience also includes financings with Pima County RTA, La Paz County, Valleywise Health and numerous Arizona cities and school districts.


Mark Reader – Bio
Mark Reader is a Managing Director with over 34 years of Arizona public finance experience, starting in 1989. His primary focus is Arizona Cities, Towns, Counties and School Districts, where he has developed a passion and expertise within this specialized area of Public Finance, consistently managing approximately 25 Arizona financings per year.

During this time, he has structured and managed a wide variety of traditional tax-exempt bond transactions including general obligation bonds, excise tax revenue bonds, water and sewer utility revenue bonds, special assessment bonds, HURF bonds and Certificates of Participation over the years.

Doug Sandstrom – Bio
Doug Sandstrom has over 30 years of municipal government experience that includes management, finance, infrastructure, CIP, budget, long-range financial forecasting, and public/private partnerships. He is dedicated to open, transparent communication giving him strong, collaborative leadership skills.

20 years of his career has been spent in the rapidly growing environment of the West Valley. He has worked for several cities in Arizona throughout his career, including Buckeye, Goodyear, Surprise, Show Low and Casa Grande.

In his various roles, he implemented LEAN Management and Continuous Improvement programs, led two successful bond elections, and facilitated complex projects with advisory boards, internal departments and public and private partners.

Doug has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Cloud State University and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He is a member in the national and local chapters of the Government Finance Officers Associations, the International City Manager’s Association and an Executive Board Member of the Arizona Municipal Risk Retention Pool.


Paul Bentz – Bio
Paul Bentz Senior Vice President ‐ Research & Strategy, has more than two decades of experience in strategy, messaging, and campaign management. Mr. Bentz and the HighGround team are five-time winners of “Best Pollster”/ “Best Polling Firm” by the Arizona Capitol Times including in 2024.





Jillian Johnson – Bio
Jillian Johnson has 20 years public finance experience which includes most general government categories of financing with particular expertise in Arizona tax policy and State budget issues. She is a former Research Staff Director for the Arizona State Senate. She works on all State of Arizona engagements including prior engagements for the School Facilities Board, ADOT (as a co-manager), the Department of Administration and the Governor’s Office of Education. Ms. Stein’s financial advisory experience also includes financings with Pima County RTA, La Paz County, Valleywise Health and numerous Arizona cities and school districts.


Ken Cherevka – Bio
Ken Cherevka’s experience in municipal finance includes general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, certificates of participation and lease-purchase agreements for school districts, cities, towns, counties, improvement districts, fire districts and jail districts through public bond offerings and private placements. Assisting the lead banker, Mr. Cherevka has worked with a large number of school districts and municipal entities throughout Arizona.

Jean McGann – Bio
Jean McGann is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in government finance and auditing as well as six years as an operations leader for a Big Four accounting firm. Since joining the team in 2013, she has been instrumental in designing unique solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Her wealth of experience has equipped her with invaluable skills in accounting and financial management, process evaluations, and long-term planning. Jean's acumen extends beyond finance and auditing; she is adept at identifying and implementing cost containment processes, policy development, and internal control evaluation. As a project manager, she is known for her effective leadership and strategic planning skills. Jean's extensive experience, combined with her commitment to excellence and continuous learning, make her an invaluable asset in the government finance and auditing sector.

Charlie Francis – Bio
Charlie Francis is a municipal finance expert. He has more than forty years of local government financial management experience in both the public and private sector, including twenty years of experience as a local government Chief Financial Officer. Francis pioneered the use of Section 115 Trust Funds before he retired from the City of Sausalito. Now a senior consultant with PARS, Francis assists local governments with developing innovative strategies for addressing their pension liabilities and costs.


Carter Kimberly – Bio
Carter Kimberly has made a significant impact at PARS since joining over a year ago, providing innovative solutions for Arizona local governments facing rising retirement costs and pension liabilities. With four years of experience in public agency work, he holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from California State University, San Bernardino.