CONTACT:  Susan Melnyk, Chief Communications Manager, (360) 867-2097 or susan.melnyk@co.thurston.wa.us   

Thurston County’s Fiscal Policy Secures Prestigious National Certification 
County’s professional approach to managing public investment leads to national recognition.    

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Treasurer’s Office announced today it has earned a national Investment Policy Certification from the Government Investment Officers Association (GIOA) for the County’s Investment Policy marking another significant benchmark in the County’s commitment to professional financial stewardship.   

Coming just months after receiving a statewide excellence award from the Washington Public Treasurers Association (WPTA) in January, this national recognition signals that Thurston County is not only meeting strict state guidelines for investing but is also adhering to the highest professional standards in the nation.  

“Our investment strategy is built on a three-pillar hierarchy that never wavers,” said Thurston County Treasurer Jeff Gadman. “First is the safety of the principal, second is liquidity – or ensuring that cash is available the moment the County needs it, and third is the rate of return. We only focus on maximizing the yield after the first two requirements are met.”  

The impact of this national certification extends across all 40 of the taxing districts represented by the County’s Treasurer. By managing a high-performing investment pool that follows not only state best-practices, but also rigorous national standards, the County’s investment practices are generating non-tax revenues that can help offset the need for additional tax dollars.   

“This award tells the public that their money is being managed by specialists who follow the same rigorous standards as the best-run public institutions in the country,” said Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners Wayne Fournier. “It’s simple math. The more efficiently we generate money through disciplined investing, the less we must ask from our taxpayers.”   

Unlike broader state guidelines that cover general accounting, investing, and debt, the GIOA national certification is focused exclusively on the technical expertise of investing. The award highlights the Treasurer’s dedication to continuing education, including ongoing training in banking standards, current law, and peer-to-peer reviews.  

“Not every County pursues this level of certification, and even fewer receive it,” Gadman said. “It requires a lot of hard work and constant monitoring, but it’s important for our community to know that we are following the best practices available today.”  

To learn more about the County’s investment policy and to view the latest financial reports, visit https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/treasurer 

Photo: Thurston County officials gather on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to celebrate a recent honor for the Thurston County Treasurer’s Office. From left, Vice-Chair of the Board of County Commissioners Wayne Fournier, Commissioner Carolina Mejia, County Investment and Banking Officer Rodney Reynolds, County Treasurer Jeff Gadman, Commissioner Rachel Grant, Commissioner Emily Clouse, and County Manager Leonard Hernandez.