October 8, 2021

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Announces Key Changes to Executive Leadership Team

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today several key changes to his executive leadership team. Effective Nov. 1, Tom Currah will assume the role of Associate Deputy Comptroller (ADC) for Fiscal Matters, Korry Castillo will take over as ADC for Agency Operations and Phillip Ashley, who currently serves as ADC for Fiscal Matters, will shift focus to become ADC for Tax. 

The changes come as long-serving ADCs Karey Barton and Robert Wood plan to leave the Comptroller’s office to pursue new opportunities.

“I am very pleased that Phillip, Tom and Korry have agreed to step into these executive leadership roles at this agency, and at the same time, I want to thank Karey and Robert for their service to this office and to the people of Texas,” Hegar said. “Since taking office, I have focused on fostering a commitment to customer service at this agency to ensure Texas taxpayers get consistently high levels of service regardless of internal administrative changes. Phillip, Tom and Korry are committed to that goal and have the leadership and experience to safeguard the customer-focused reputation of this agency and this administration.”

Ashley has been ADC for Fiscal Matters since 2015 and has been with the agency since 2001. In that role, he has overseen numerous high-profile agency functions including statewide accounting and financial reporting; treasury operations; unclaimed property; the investment of the state’s treasury pool, rainy day fund and other endowment funds, as well as the state’s 529 plan and other educational opportunity programs; and has helped manage the creation of the nation’s first state-administered precious metals depository.

Ashley previously served as the director of fiscal management and held various other positions within the agency. He holds Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from Baylor University and is a certified public accountant and certified government financial manager.

“I am excited for this new challenge and thankful to Comptroller Hegar for his trust and confidence in my leadership,” Ashley said. “I look forward to continuing the important work that has established the agency as the gold standard for taxpayer assistance and an invaluable resource for businesses, lawmakers and Texas taxpayers. Those are the stakeholders we work for, and they deserve nothing less.”

Currah is currently the state’s Chief Revenue Estimator and director of the Revenue Estimating Division at the Comptroller’s office. Revenue estimating is a highly visible, core constitutional duty of the office, and the division is responsible for producing the Biennial Revenue Estimate before each regular legislative session, informing the Texas Legislature how much money is available to be appropriated in the state budget.

Additionally, Currah has developed and led an array of in-depth, complex and award-winning data analysis and research projects related to critical issues affecting Texas and its economy during his more than two decades with the agency.

“As Chief Revenue Estimator, I have had the good fortune to work closely with Comptroller Hegar daily as he executes his plans to build a transparent agency that provides reliable and trustworthy guidance to lawmakers, businesses and individual taxpayers,” Currah said. “I am honored that he’s selected me to continue to support him and this agency as we tackle the issues that come with managing the finances of the world’s ninth largest economy.”

Castillo joined the agency in 2009 and serves as the director of the Property Tax Assistance Division (PTAD). Prior to joining PTAD, Castillo served in many roles at the Comptroller’s office, including the assistant director of Tax Policy, director of Data Analysis and Transparency, manager of Economic Development and Analysis and stimulus program coordinator. She is a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program and a licensed registered tax assessor/collector (RTA) with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

“Serving under Comptroller Hegar has been a true honor, and I am humbled that he has chosen me to take on this role,” Castillo said. “I've had the chance to learn from so many talented and intelligent people throughout the agency, state and local government and the private sector through my wide range of experiences here at this agency. I look forward to applying those lessons in this new role to ensure the agency’s operations remain a model for state government and an efficient, effective tool for taxpayers.”

As part of the transition, Shannon Murphy will take over as the director of PTAD, having served as assistant director for three years under Castillo. Allison Mansfield, currently the assistant director of Legislative Affairs, will move into the role of assistant director of PTAD. Both are well-versed in property tax law and have served at this agency for many years.

Brad Reynolds will assume the role of Chief Revenue Estimator, while Tetyana Melnyk will become director of Revenue Estimating. Both are agency veterans with years of experience in revenue estimating. Reynolds served previously as deputy chief revenue estimator, and Melnyk has been assistant director of the Revenue Estimating Division.

Robert Wood will remain with the Comptroller’s office until  spring of 2022 in a role handling special projects that include the Texas Broadband Development Office and the wind-down of the Tax Code Chapter 313 program.

“This is a bittersweet day, and I am very thankful for the steady leadership that both Robert and Karey have provided over the last seven years. They will continue to be informal advisors to me and resources for agency leadership, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of leadership and vision,” Hegar said. “These changes create the foundation needed to tackle pressing issues facing Texas in the current biennium. In the coming years, we will establish and grow Texas’ first Broadband Development Office, we will manage opioid settlement dollars and federal relief funds, and we will continue to update our tax policies to meet the needs of the nation’s most dynamic and business-friendly economy. Phillip, Tom and Korry have the talent, managerial expertise and thoughtful insight to accomplish these and countless other critical efforts.”