BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:America/Los_Angeles X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:VEVENT UID:247@usrotary.org DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241024T073000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241024T083000 DTSTAMP:20241022T192125Z URL:https://usrotary.org/events/program-shaon-hanek-candidate-for-washingt on-state-treasurer-october-24-2024/ SUMMARY:Program: Sharon Hanek\, Candidate for Washington State Treasurer\, October 24\, 2024 DESCRIPTION:\nJoin the University Sunrise Rotary Club for a program featu ring Sharon Hanek\, candidate for Washington State Treasurer.\n\n\n\nNote: It is our Club's policy to invite both candidates to speak to us for cer tain selected elected officials.\n\n\n\nThe \;program will be presente d on Zoom on Thursday morning with the Zoom line opening at 7 a.m. The for mal meeting including the program runs from 7:30-8:30 a.m. No registration is required\, and the program is free.\n\n\n\nClick here to join the meet ing Thursday morning.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSharon Hanek (R)\n\n\n\nTell us about yourself.\n\n\n\nI grew up on military bases in Japan and moved t o Seattle to attend University of Washington to obtain my business and acc ounting degree. Over the past 30 years I have operated a CPA business serv ing a variety of corporate and individual clients. I believe in giving bac k to our community and have been on the boards of several youth sports org anizations and school boards. I have also served as Chair of the Pierce Co unty Charter Review Commission and Pierce County Redistricting Commission. Currently I am a Pierce County Planning Commissioner and member of the Pi erce County Birth -25 Advisory Board.\n\n\n\nWhy are you running for Washi ngton State Treasurer?\n\n\n\nIn recent years\, we have seen an increase o f concerns in the security of the State's financial system. One notable in cident was the Employment Security scandal to send millions to a foreign c ounty. This is a good time to bring in a professional CPA that has experie nce in strengthening financial internal control systems.\n\n\n\nWhat are y our qualifications?\n\n\n\nAn accountant's mindset is trained to protect a ssets and strengthen cash flow systems. I will bring my professional exper ience to the job in securing our investments\, overseeing our obligations\ , and maintaining strong cash flow process. I also have strong private sec tor experience in understanding the tax structure of Washington State and can advocate for lower taxes for all taxpayers.\n\n\n\nWhat do you see as the number one job for Washington's next State Treasurer?\n\n\n\nAll aspec ts of the job are important however my priority will be to focus on streng thening the protection of our cash flow. This area is where I believe we h ave been lacking and incidences of mismanagement of funds seems to be incr easing.\n\n\n\nHow would you as State Treasurer make Washingtonians' lives better?\n\n\n\nIn addition to the changes mentioned above\, I will also w ork to creating better reporting and disclosure of information so the publ ic can understand how their tax dollars are spent. I have often looked up financial data and find that it is not easy to navigate the government acc ounting reports. Citizens need to know where their tax money is going to a nd how it is being used.\n\n\n\nHow would you describe the financial healt h of Washington state and what would you do\, if anything\, to improve it? \n\n\n\nI believe that the investment system and obligations are in good c ondition. I have also read audit reports that disclosure certain procedure s are not be followed consistently leaving room for mismanagement of funds . I think Washington's finances are in a good position but it is time to h ave leadership that will help strengthen our system in the face of new cha llenges of cybersecurity. We will continue the good practices we are doing and resolve issues that need change.\n\n\n\nWhy should people who live in Washington vote for you?\n\n\n\nVoting for Sharon Hanek will be a vote fo r someone that has the accounting experiences needed for this position.\n CATEGORIES:Speakers END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20240310T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR