City of Bowling Green, Kentucky

Erin Ballou Chief Financial Officer

Erin Ballou is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Bowling Green, Kentucky. She is responsible for the general supervision of all financial affairs of the City and leads the Department of Finance. Erin began her career with the City as an Office Assistant in 2002 and served in multiple positions in payroll, accounts payable, and accounting until her promotion to Assistant Chief Financial Officer supervising the Accounting Division in 2015.

Erin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), both from Western Kentucky University. She is a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Erin is an active member of the Kentucky Government Finance Officers Association and is currently the President Elect as well as Chairperson of the Membership Committee; she also previously served as the President from 2019 through 2021. She is also a member of the national Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and has served on special review committees for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). She has authored two articles for the Government Finance Review, one in 2019 titled “City of Bowling Green Creates Physical Inventory to Safeguard Its Equipment Assets” and another in 2014 titled “Streamlining Processes: Looking at the Details”.

She also volunteers with the United Way of Southern Kentucky as an Allocation Committee Chairperson. In her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling with her husband Brian.

Brent Belcher Director, Parks & Recreation

Brent Belcher began working at Bowling Green Parks and Recreation in 1993 as an intern, and his first full-time job was as the Special Populations Coordinator.  He worked 14 years in this position until he was promoted to the Recreation Division Manager in 2008. In 2012, he was selected as the department’s 4th Director.

Brent has attained both his Bachelor’s (Recreation major and Business Administration minor in 1993) and his Masters of Science (Recreation Administration) from WKU.

He is a Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (first in the state of Kentucky in 2012). 
Brent’s wife, Angie, and 2 children love Bowling Green and are proud to make this great city their home.

Justin Brooks Chief, Bowling Green Fire Department

Justin Brooks attended Warren East High School. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and an Associate’s degree from Columbia Southern University in Fire Science. He joined the Bowing Green Fire Department in 2006, promoted to Engineer in 2011, to Captain in 2015, to Battalion Chief in 2019, and to Fire Chief in 2021.

He has achieved his Fire Officer I and II certification, Hazardous Materials Incident Command, Incident Command System Train the Trainer and Incident Command System 100 – 800 through FEMA, the National Fire Academy and the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. He is currently pursuing his Chief Fire Officer Credential through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

He is a Youth Minister and former Deacon at Oakland Baptist Church and volunteers with the Warren County Parks/City of Bowling Green Parks Departments as both a softball and basketball coach. Chief Brooks has a passion and devotion for the Fire Service and protecting the lives and properties of the residents of Bowling Green.

Brent Childers Director, Neighborhood & Community Services

Brent’s eclectic department includes Building Permits and Inspections, Code Compliance & Animal Protection, Section 8 Housing, International Liaison, Neighborhood Services, Downtown Development and Grants. In addition to these divisions, Brent oversees the City’s investment of federal and state funding initiatives, including annual investments like CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and various special appropriations like the CARES Act, Disaster Recovery funds and more. He also leads economic development efforts through planning and implementation for various neighborhood, downtown and strategic plan objectives.

Born and raised in Warren County, Brent’s first job in public service was working a concessions stand near the ball fields at Lampkin Park. A former collegiate student athlete with experience in public safety, policy and grants and with a knowledge and knack for building things, Brent is committed to the thriving of people in our community and has established a broad network that includes all kinds of organizations, community groups, and diverse populations to create a more flourishing Bowling Green.

Named one of VIP Magazine’s 40 Under 40, Brent currently serves as the founding chairperson for the BG-WC Long Term Recovery Group, formed after the December, 2021 tornadoes to guide Warren County’s long term recovery efforts for this and any future disasters.

Brent has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of the South and a Masters of Public Administration from WKU. He lives in Bowling Green with his wife, Brittney and their son Ryder. He enjoys a good podcast, is quick with a movie reference or song lyric, and is still capable of causing some damage playing pickup basketball.

Michael Delaney Chief of Police, Bowling Green Police Department

Chief Delaney began his career with the Bowling Green Police Department in 1998. His first promotion to Sergeant was in 2005, and his most recent promotion to Deputy Chief was in 2018. During his career he has supervised the patrol, CID, training and professional standards divisions. He has an Associate and Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Phoenix and several advanced leadership training certificates from the Department of Homeland Security, Southern Police Academy, Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice, Texas A&M, New Mexico Tech and National Tactical Officers Association.

During his career with the BGPD Chief Delaney has received a Life Saving Medal, two Meritorious Medals and a Distinguished Medal of Service. In 2014 he received the BGPD Character Counts Award and was the BGPD Officer of the Year in 2003. Outside of the Police Department, Delaney received the Martin Luther King Jr. Black Achievers Award in 2020, was invited into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni for Warren County Public Schools in 2016, and received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, Bowling Green/Warren County Trail Blazer Award and WKU President’s Award for Diversity. He sits on the boards for the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police Foundation, Bowling Green/Warren County Welfare and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). He is on the Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee and the Bowling Green Independent Schools Advisory Board.

Chief Delaney is highly respected within the Police Department and the City of Bowling Green as a servant leader. As Chief he will be dedicated to enhancing the Department’s commitment to community oriented policing, intends to increase transparency and communication with the public, and will focus attention and resources on the physical and mental well-being of the Department’s police officers.

Hillary Hightower City Attorney & Director, Department of Law

Hillary Hightower is the Director of the Law Department for the City, while also serving as the City Attorney. Hillary started her law career in 1995 at Satterfield and Harmon, where she represented the City of Bowling Green on a contractual basis. Prior to coming to work for the City of Bowling Green full-time, Hillary was an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for 16 1/2 years.

Hillary was born and raised in Bowling Green, graduating from Bowling Green High School in 1988. She graduated from the University of Kentucky, with distinction. She received her Juris Doctor Degree, Cum Laude, from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, where she was a member of the Brandeis Honor Society. She and her husband, Trey, have three children, Nash, Patrick, and Graham.

Erin Hulsey Director, Human Resources & Risk Management

Erin Hulsey joined the City of Bowling Green as the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management in 2018. The Human Resources Department is responsible for overseeing the employment lifecycle of all City employees which includes recruitment, training and development, benefits administration, safety, and risk management.

Erin was raised in the Chicago metro area. Her Bachelor of Arts Degree is from the University of Illinois. She completed her Master of Professional Studies degree from Penn State University in Human Resources and Employment Relations in 2016. She is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management, the International Public Management Association for Human Resources and the Kentucky Public Human Resources Association. Prior to joining the City she worked in various Human Resources roles in the private sector including hospitality, automotive, and financial investing.

The Hulsey family moved from Indianapolis to Bowling Green in 2018. Erin is married to her husband, David, and they have three sons, Ethan, Deacon and Calvin. As a family they love being outdoors and enjoy traveling to visit family all over the United States.

Deborah Jenkins Internal Auditor

Deborah Jenkins was appointed as the City's first Internal Auditor in June 2006 to provide independent and objective review of the City's risk management, internal control and governance processes to improve efficiency of procedures, effectiveness of operations and aid in preventing fraud, waste, or abuse. Mrs. Jenkins also administers and conducts investigations reported to the City's Employee Ethics Hotline. Mrs. Jenkins is a graduate of Bowling Green High School and Western Kentucky University earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Government Audit Professional. Prior to working for the City, she worked as a Legislative Auditor for the State of Tennessee's Office of the Comptroller as well as accounting positions at locally owned businesses within Bowling Green. Mrs. Jenkins is active with the Association of Local Government Auditors and currently serves on their Board of Directors.

She is married to Craig Jenkins and has three children She enjoys camping and visiting as many national and state parks as possible.

Jeff Meisel City Manager

Jeff Meisel started with the City in January 2002 as the City Treasurer and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in February 2006, overseeing the City’s Finance Department. Jeff was born and raised in Bowling Green, graduating from Bowling Green High School, Class of 1989.

He received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s of Professional Accountancy degree from Western Kentucky University. Jeff has been a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 1998 and still maintains that certification through continuing education hours in Governmental Accounting and Finance each year. Before coming to the City, he worked in public accounting at a local CPA firm, as well as two local corporate headquarters’ offices in the accounting departments. Jeff has served on various boards and committees including the Bowling Green Economic Development Authority board, the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority board, the Bowling Green Police and Firefighters Pension board, the ITA Board and Finance committee, and the BG/WC Depot committee. In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife, Lou Ann, and twins Landon & Macy.

Katie Schaller-Ward Assistant City Manager

Katie E. Schaller-Ward is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Bowling Green. She has been with the City of Bowling Green since 1996 and previously held the positions of Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk, City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk. She also served as the Interim City Manager from March 2018 to May 2018 and Interim Public Works Director from May 2010 through January 2011. Ms. Schaller-Ward is the Director of the Office of City Manager, and provides advanced, operational, managerial, and administrative support to the City Manager, including the development of the City’s annual operating budget.

Ms. Schaller-Ward is a graduate of Western Kentucky University receiving a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance, emphasis in Financial Planning, and completed postgraduate courses in the Master of Public Administration Program at WKU. Additionally, Ms. Schaller-Ward graduated from the City of Bowling Green’s two leadership development courses (TEAM BG and TEAM BG II), the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce’s leadership development course (Leadership BG), and the University of Virginia’s Cooper Center for Public Service course on high performance organizations (LEAD). Ms. Schaller-Ward was also awarded the Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates from the Kentucky League of Cities’ (KLC) Public Officials Essential Skills Institute (POESI), and attained Level I – Achievement in Local Government, Level II – Excellence in City Governance, Level III – Master of City Governance, and Certified Municipal Officer (CMO) through the KLC City Officials Training Center.

Ms. Schaller-Ward is a member of the Kentucky City/County Management Association (KCCMA), the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).

Andy Souza Director, Public Works

Andy Souza joined the City of Bowling Green as the Director of Public Works in 2023. The Department of Public Works is a 65-person organization (with 1 intern) dedicated to maintaining the 272 miles of city streets, 55 miles of storm sewers, 1,062 mapped storm water injection wells and sinkholes, 226 miles of sidewalk, 23 traffic signals and 600 city vehicles and major pieces of equipment.

Public Works mission is to safely, efficiently and professionally enhance the quality of life for citizens of Bowling Green.

Andy was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and moved all over the world with his family in the military. Andy earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from the University of Wyoming and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force upon graduation in 1994. Throughout his 26-years of active duty service, Andy served around the globe and also earned three advanced academic degrees. He has a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree from the Air Command and Staff College and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the United States Naval Postgraduate School. In July 2021 Andy transferred into the United States Space Force and retired from military service in 2023.

Andy is married to his wife, Davonne, and they have two sons, Zach and Zane. Zach resides here in Bowling Green and Zane is currently serving on active duty as a Security Forces patrolman in the United States Air Force. In his free time Andy likes doing things with his family, reading, geocaching and building model planes.

Donnita Weeks Director, Information Technology

Donnita Weeks started with the City in May of 2002 as a part time IT Assistant. She has worked as a help desk technician, systems analyst and was promoted to IT Manager in 2019 supervising both the Helpdesk and Systems Engineering Divisions.

Donnita Weeks attended Butler County High School. She has an Associate’s degree from Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College in Computer Programming and a Bachelor’s Degree from WKU in Computer Information Technology. Her tenure with the City and numerous IT certifications has given her unparalleled experience in all areas of information technology. She will lead the IT Department providing software applications, technical support and a secure network infrastructure to all City operations.

Donnita enjoys home renovation projects, watching college basketball and traveling with her husband Sean. She is also a Sunday school teacher at her local church.