Chris Walker—New CFO for the Court of Appeals of Georgia—Supports the Court’s Work by Providing Financial Counsel and Fostering a Healthy Work Environment

JC/AOC staffer, Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, recently spoke with Chris Walker, the new CFO/Director of Fiscal Services for the Court of Appeals of Georgia.  Interview condensed and edited for clarity.

Chris Walker, CFO/Director of Fiscal Services for the Court of Appeals of Georgia

Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez:  Good morning, Chris, and congratulations on your new role as the CFO/Director of Fiscal Services for the Court of Appeals of Georgia.  Would you please share your professional background with our readers? 

Chris Walker:  Certainly, I got my undergrad degree in accounting from Georgia State University in 1994 and my CPA in 2000.  I started my career in state government in 1994 with the Department of Audits and then moved on to OPB, Office of Planning and Budget.  After that, I was the Accounting Director for the GBI for a couple of years.  Then, I was the first Finance Director/CFO for the Department of Revenue for approximately five years.  From there, I took a position with the Insurance Department and most recently, I was the Director of Strategic Planning for the Department of Corrections, before coming to the Court of Appeals.

NL-A:  When did you start at the Court of Appeals?

Chris Walker:  I started on December 1, 2020.

NL-A:  Why did you seek your new position?

Chris Walker:  From my vantage point, working in state government for many years, I’ve always thought that courts serve such a vital and interesting role, and I wanted to be a part of that.  And, interestingly enough, when I was with the Department of Audits, I was the auditor for the Court of Appeals and several other judicial branch entities. So, I had some familiarity with the Court of Appeals from back in the early days of my career.  I’ve always thought the judicial branch was a great part of state government—the final interpreter, where the rubber meets the road in the government process.

NLA:  Well, welcome!  I agree with you about the judicial branch.  It’s the place to be.

Chris Walker:  Thank you. I’m definitely excited and pleased to be here.

NL-A:  What do you hope to achieve in your new role?

Chris Walker:  I want to be a good steward and to do an exceptional job supporting the Court of Appeals in accomplishing its critical mission.  I want to provide outstanding service to ensure that resources are handled wisely.  It is my role to provide financial counsel to the Court.  

I also want to maintain an environment where we develop and train staff to make sure that our employees are given the opportunity to grow in their positions and beyond.  I will also make sure that we continue to maintain a healthy work environment.

NL-A:  Is there anything else you’d like to share about your first few months with the Court of Appeals?

Chris Walker:  I’m excited to be here. I look forward to working not only with the Court of Appeals, but with everyone in Georgia’s judicial branch.  I’m committed to being a good partner to all of my colleagues in the judicial branch.  If I can be of service to anyone in the judicial branch, I’d be happy to do so. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

NL-A:  Switching gears, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Chris Walker:  Well, I grew up showing Appaloosa horses on the national level, and we still have a couple of horses back home on family land. I enjoy snow skiing, when I can get away. I have two daughters and I love spending time with them, especially snow skiing with them.  They’re the highlight of my life.  I also love the outdoors—hunting, fishing, boating.  I especially love trout fishing, so you’ll often find me in a stream in North Georgia or on my old 1960 wooden boat.

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