Ashanti Austin serves as the Chief Administrative Officer. In her role, she provides oversight for all administrative functions within the Executive Office of the Clerk, including communications, support services, and data analytics.

Austin began her career as a second-generation clerk employee at the age of 14 years old. After fulfilling the high school community service hour requirement at the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office, Austin began working as a Student Page Clerk. As the youngest person employed by the office, she became familiar with Florida’s Public Record Laws in this role, responsible for public records requests on criminal traffic, misdemeanor, felony, and civil traffic cases. Sworn in as Criminal Deputy Clerk on her 18th birthday, Austin became a full-time employee upon graduation from Crescent City High School.

Following employment in Putnam County, Austin became a court clerk at the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office. Austin worked in both the criminal and family law departments, attending both circuit and county court proceedings before being promoted to supervisor. As a supervisor, she provided oversight to the Traffic and Jury Management Department before a shift back to Family Law to meet organizational needs. Austin then transitioned into the role of Special Assistant to the Clerk within the Executive Office of the Clerk.

After nine years of experience within the Clerk’s office, Austin joined the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners in October 2021 as Assistant to the Deputy County Administrator. While in this role, Austin provided executive-level support to the Deputy County Administrator and Assistant County Administrator, supporting 12 county departments.

Austin was recently selected for the Direct Commission Officer Program with the United States Navy Reserve.

Austin is a lifelong resident of Florida, raised in Crescent City. During high school dual enrollment, Austin completed her associate in arts degree at St. Johns River State College. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Flagler College. Currently enrolled in the Public Policy Institute at Jacksonville University, Austin is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy.

Elizabeth Gonzalez serves as the Interim Inspector General for the Office of Inspector General, whose mission is to promote integrity, efficiency, and accountability within St. Johns County Government and the COCC, through independent and objective audits, investigations, reviews, and outreach. Gonzalez oversees OIG programs which include BCC audits, emergent audits and reviews, enhanced guardianship audits and investigations, tourist development tax compliance audits, and fraud, waste, and abuse investigations.

Gonzalez previously served this office as the Deputy Inspector General. Prior to joining the Clerk’s office, Gonzalez worked as an internal investigator at the New York City Department of Correction and in three other Florida Inspector General offices as an investigator, investigations supervisor, and accreditation manager. She earned a bachelor’s in criminology from Florida State University and a master’s in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2020, Dwala Anderson leads the Clerk Finance Department, which includes the clerk’s budget and county comptroller functions.

In addition, Anderson oversees the preparation of St. Johns County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report each year.

Anderson has been with the clerk’s office since graduating high school. She earned an A.A. degree in Business Administration from St. Johns River State College, a B.S. in Corporate Finance from the University of North Florida, an MBA with a concentration in Leadership from Jacksonville University and is also a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO).

John Rundgren serves as the Chief Information Officer. In this role, he oversees network and technology services for the organization, implements upgrades for systems, and ensures proper data recovery practices.

Prior to employment with the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, Rundgren worked in technology roles within the public and private sector. His work experience includes: Information Technology Director for Putnam County Board of County Commissioners, Sr. Systems Administrator for JM Family Enterprises, Microsoft Engineer for StorComm, Systems Consultant for DataCom Consulting Services, and Technical Support Agent for America Online.

Rundgren earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University.

Julio Cruz serves as the Chief Operations Officer. Cruz is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of court and non-court divisions within the clerk’s office.

Cruz joined the team at the clerk’s office in 2012 as a Civil Court Clerk. He was later promoted to supervisor over the division. Prior to his current role as Chief Operations Officer, Cruz served as the Director of Civil.

Cruz earned an A.A. degree from St. Johns River State College and a B.S. in Public Administration from Flagler College.

Lisa Motes serves as the Chief Personnel Officer. In her role, she directs the day-to-day operations within the Human Resource department. She is responsible for the development of policies and procedures and ensures proper implementation across the organization.

Motes, a 21-year Air Force veteran, brings more than 30 years of human resources and administrative experience both in the military, civil service, and local government. She brings a unique and varied background to the office. She served on active duty at the Pentagon, the White House and ultimately retired from Air Force One after serving three presidents. Motes worked as the Executive Assistant to the Assistant to the President in the White House Military Office for several years before relocating to St. Augustine.

Motes resides in St. Augustine with her husband Jarrett and their daughter Sarah. Motes earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in human resources from National-Louis University. She also holds a certification through the Society for Human Resources Management.