Meet Our Staff
We are committed to help serve our counties and their employees
Alan Fernandes
Chief Executive Officer
Alan joined the CSAC Finance Corporation as the Chief Executive Officer in November 2015 after a successful career in government affairs. He has a broad range of professional work experience having worked in both the private and public sector. Alan has published on effective government advocacy including a Law Review Article on the topic of Ethics in Government and is occasionally requested to speak publicly on these topics. He has spent much of his career in government, law and public policy where most recently he was the Chief Legislative Representative for Los Angeles County.
Prior to that, Alan practiced law at a Government Law Firm where he was an active member of the Public Law Section of the State Bar. In addition, Alan worked at a major investment firm where he was an accountant for an international pension fund group. Alan earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and English minor at UC Davis, and subsequently earned his law degree where he completed a certificated concentration on Taxation.
Rob Pierce
Chief Operating Officer
Rob joined the CSAC Finance Corporation as the Vice President in October 2022 after a successful 25-year career in public business administration and legislative advocacy. Rob is dedicated to assisting public entities and making positive change. Rob served as the Deputy Superintendent of Business Services for the Elk Grove Unified School District, the fifth largest school district in the State with an annual budget in excess of $1 Billion.
Prior to joining EGUSD in 2008, Rob was the Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Operations for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Rob has served at a Cabinet level for approximately 20 years where he forged positive relationships with elected officials and constituents in multiple jurisdictions. Early in his career, Rob served as a legislative advocate for a lobbying firm and was a consultant with Murdoch Walrath & Holmes.
Rob has served on multiple Statewide committees, public boards, Joint Powers Authorities and benefit trusts. Rob was a constant legislative advocate and directly administered billions of dollars in bonds and special financings. He prides himself on serving others, building positive relationships and being a people person. Rob is a graduate of the University of California at Davis where he earned two Bachelors of Arts degrees in Political Science, emphasis in Public Administration, as well as Nature and Culture and he also studied Religious and Native American Studies.
Christy Higgins
Director of Operations
Christy joined CSAC Finance Corporation in 2020 as Operations Manager. She brings an array of experience from the world of Insurance, Public Relations and Real Estate along with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento. In addition to planning, directing and coordinating the operations of the Finance Corporation and Corporate Associate relations.
For the past 6 years Christy navigated a successful career in real estate. Prior to this, she oversaw the operations of a successful Public Relations firm and worked as a Senior Property & Casualty Claims Adjuster for State Farm Insurance.
Jim Manker
Director of Business Development
Jim Manker joined the CSAC team in 2013 after leaving the Sacramento River Cats (AAA affiliate of the Oakland Athletics) and their Corporate Partner team. Prior to that he was a successful Major Accounts Client Executive for the world’s largest payroll company, ADP.
Since Jim’s arrival in 2013 the Corporate Associates program has become a strong revenue source for CSAC. At the CSAC Finance Corporation, Jim is responsible for directing the corporate partnership program, working with new business opportunities, and helping companies expand their footprint in California Counties. Jim’s top 5 strengths according to Clifton StrengthsFinder are: woo, communicator, activator, positivity, and strategic.
Jim earned his undergraduate degree in Communications from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. He then went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Religious Education at NTS in Kansas City, MO. Jim has spent his entire career connecting people in the private and public sector and helping them pursue personal health and corporate success.
Chase Broffman
Business Development Manager
Chase Broffman joined the CSAC Finance Corporation in 2019 as Member Services Associate and promoted to Business Development Manager. Chase focuses on business development, member outreach and marketing, as well as partnership cultivation and more. Chase provides administrative services to Easy Smart Pay by managing the customer service and marketing team, in addition to growing the programs county coverage.
Prior to this role, Chase worked as a residential real estate agent in the Sacramento area and specialized in single family income property opportunities. Chase received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento.