BRENDA ZNACHKO, J.D., LL.M.

*** *** ***** *****, *******, MS 39110, actebh@r.postjobfree.com, 601-***-**** SUMMARY

EXPERIENCED TAX, BUSINESS, AND FINANCE ATTORNEY WITH WORK HISTORY IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, SELF-STARTER WITH STRONG ANALYTICAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS

BAR MEMBERSHIPS

MISSISSIPPI (admitted 1988), LOUISIANA (admitted 1987), FLORIDA (admitted 1989) EXPERIENCE

ATTORNEY, Self-Employed, 117 Ivy Brook Drive, Madison, MS 39110, 601-***-****, April, 2011 – present (part-time 20 hours per week).

Specialized in tax law, business and corporate law, estate planning. Negotiated and drafted for small business owners employment contracts, finance agreements, loan agreements, leases, shareholders agreements, partnership agreements, wills and trusts. Attended the American Federal Tax Institute annually for continuing legal education. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER and DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, 401 N. West St. Jackson, MS 39201, 601-***-****, July 2004 – March 2011 (full- time 40+ hours per week).

Managed one of the State’s largest agencies, more than 3000 employees and a billion dollar per year budget with 80 billion dollars of assets under management and 5 billion dollars of federal and state contracts under administration.

Provided strategic leadership and coordination of the agency’s financial planning, debt financing, and budget management functions.

Direct responsibility and oversight of agency budget, accounting and financial reporting, procurement, treasury and cash management including cash forecasting, bond issuance, internal control and audit, contract administration, consulting and engineering contracts, training and professional development, inventory and asset management, building services and security, equipment and print shops.

Designed and implemented multi-billion dollar bond financing program for new interstate highway construction that funded five new interstate projects to promote economic development and safety. Met annually with rating agencies and investment bankers to obtain highly rated AA rating on MDOT bonds.

Designed and implemented new internal control programs and assessments throughout the agency to address changes in federal and state laws regarding oversight and accountability. Reviewed and revised all financial operating procedures, ensured all accounting procedures conformed to GAAP, primary point of contact for outside auditors and outside accountants. Designed and implemented customer service training for all employees. Designed and implemented legislative tracking system for pending legislation. Prepared testimony for agency executives for appearances before the State Legislature. Prepared and presented the Agency budget to the LBO and the State Legislature.

Winner of the prestigious AASHTO President’s Award for financial management of the Agency after Hurricane Katrina.

Attended the Stennis Leadership Institute, the AASHTO Leadership Institute and the MDOT Leadership Institute for management training.

Attended the NYU Tax Institute and the National Association of Bond Lawyers Annual Meeting annually for continuing legal education.

ATTORNEY, MISSISSIPPI ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE, 550 High St. Jackson, MS 39201, 601-359- 7600, December 2002 – July 2004 (full-time 40+ hours per week). Attorney assigned to the legal department of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). Provided legal advice to the following MDOT divisions: procurement, contract administration, financial management, consulting contracts, construction contracts, budget, and legislative services. Extensive knowledge of state and federal laws regarding procurement, contracts, budget, bond issuance, internal control, taxation, ethics and the federal acquisition regulations (FAR). Negotiated and drafted consulting contracts, construction contracts, engineering contracts, bond documents and other finance documents; drafted RFPs for consulting and other services. Provided legal advice on all phases of procurement and contract law including RFPs, contract award, allowability of costs, changeorders, indemnification, insurance, disputes and terminations, audit and closeout.

Provided assistance to the Opinions Division of the Attorney General’s Office for opinions dealing with tax matters.

Attended the NYU Tax Institute and the National Association of Bond Lawyers Annual Meeting annually for continuing legal education.

ATTORNEY, EATON AND COTTRELL LAW FIRM, 1310 25th Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501, 228-***-****, March 1992 – February 1999 (full-time 40+ hours per week). Specialized in tax law, business and corporate law, gaming law, bond law, and estate planning with a special expertise in tax-exempt organizations, private foundations and charitable giving. Represented all types of businesses from Fortune 500 publicly traded companies like Mississippi Power Company and national gaming companies to privately held start-ups. Served as local counsel on the various financings of Mississippi Power Company such as preferred stock, first mortgage bonds and pollution control bonds. Assisted Mississippi Power Company in updating its Code of Ethics and legal compliance program. Represented Mississippi Power Company before various state agencies including the Mississippi Tax Commission. Assisted five nationally recognized gaming corporations to obtain site approval and gaming licenses in Mississippi, representing the companies before all state agencies for permitting and licensing. Researched and drafted legal memoranda on various state law and tax issues. Negotiated and drafted for small business owners employment contracts, bond documents, finance agreements, loan agreements, leases, shareholders agreements, partnership agreements, wills and trusts.

Worked with various community and economic development agencies to promote special projects for Mississippi Power Company.

Attended the Tulane Tax Institute annually for continuing legal education. ATTORNEY, ANNIS MITCHELL LAW FIRM, 201 N. Tampa St., Tampa, FL, 33602, 813-***-****, August 1989 – March 1992 (full-time 40+ hours per week)

Specialized in tax law, business and corporate law, and estate planning with a special expertise in tax- exempt organizations, private foundations and charitable giving. Represented all types of businesses from Fortune 500 publically traded companies to privately held start-ups.

Strong transactional and tax practice focused on real estate development, corporate acquisitions and tax planning for wealthy professionals.

Researched and drafted legal memoranda on various tax law issues. Negotiated and drafted employment contracts, bond documents, finance agreements, loan agreements, leases, shareholders agreements, partnership agreements, closing documents for corporate and partnership buyouts, and wills and trusts. Attended NYU Estate Planning Institute annually for continuing legal education. ATTORNEY, PHELPS DUNBAR LAW FIRM, 365 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-***-****, December 1986 – August 1988 (full-time 40+ hours per week). Specialized in corporate and business law. Researched and drafted legal memoranda on various corporate and business law issues.

EDUCATION

MASTER OF LAWS IN TAXATION (LL.M.), UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LAW SCHOOL, Gainesville, FL, August 1988 – July 1989. Graduated with honors.

JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.), UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI LAW SCHOOL, Oxford, MS, August 1984 – December 1986. Graduated first in class, received Dean’s award for highest GPA. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.), UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, Hattiesburg, MS, August 1980 – May 1984. Graduated with honors.

DIPLOMA, GULFPORT HIGH SCHOOL, Gulfport, MS, August 1975 – May 1978. Graduated with highest honors.

OTHER

UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVES, 1984 -1988, COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE USNR. Specialties included cryptology and intelligence. Top Secret security clearance. Highest rank, Lieutenant. Currently inactive. (Active Duty - February 18, 1984 to July 27, 1984).

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