Executive Staff

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).

Ashanti Austin serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller. In this role, she provides strategic management and leadership for all administrative functions with the Executive Office of the Clerk and non-court divisions within the organization.   

Austin began her career as a second-generation clerk at the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Office as a Student Page Clerk. As the youngest person ever employed by the office, she quickly became familiar with handling all criminal functions ranging from criminal traffic to circuit felony case management.  

Austin joined the team in St. Johns County as a court clerk in 2017. She worked in both the Criminal and Family Divisions before transitioning into leadership. Austin served as a supervisor in Traffic and Family Law. In 2020, Austin joined Brandon Patty’s leadership team serving as the Special Assistant to the Clerk.  

Austin served as the Assistant to the Deputy County Administrator in St. Johns County Administration from October 2021 – December 2022. In this position, she gained invaluable insights into county operations. This experience not only deepened her understanding of county government but ultimately led her back to the Clerk’s Office where she could apply both personal and professional experience to continue her career in public service. 

Austin proudly serves in the United States Navy Reserve as an Intelligence Officer. Commissioned in March 2023, Austin provides operational support and leadership in support of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, 5th Fleet.  

In addition to public service, Austin is committed to involvement in her local community. She is a member of the Rotary Club of St. Augustine and active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Johns County. Austin was presented with a Meritorious Public Service Certificate for service on a Florida Bar Grievance Committee from 2022-2025.  

Austin is a lifelong resident of Florida, raised in Crescent City and now lives in St. Augustine. She earned an associate in arts degree from St. Johns River State College, a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Flagler College, and a master’s degree in public policy from Jacksonville 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.

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.

Travis Hutson serves as Senior Advisor for Intergovernmental, where he advises the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller on key County and State priorities, including long-term budget strategy and legislative policy. He also acts as the Clerk’s liaison to the County for all construction and facility-related needs.

Hutson previously served as an elected official representing St. Johns County in the Florida Legislature – first as a State Representative from 2012 to 2015, and then as a State Senator from 2015 to 2024. During his tenure, he successfully navigated complex legislative matters and secured key appropriations for the residents of St. Johns County.

Hutson brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, with a focus on facilities management and improvements. He has overseen the buildout and enhancement of both new and existing facilities.

Hutson resides in St. Augustine with his wife, Tanya, and their children – Taylor, Tyler, Turner, and Tucker. Hutson holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Lafayette 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.

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.