Harrison Metropolitan Housing Authority earns Auditor of State Award for sixth straight year

The Harrison Metropolitan Housing Authority didn’t just win the Ohio Auditor of State Award this year; it won it for the sixth consecutive year. The award is for excellence in financial reporting and was awarded April 16 to HMHA’s executive director and chief financial officer, Debra K. Yeater.

Yeater was presented the award by Stephen Cicak, southeast regional liaison for the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office.

“The distinction places HMHA in an elite tier of public agencies, marking over half a decade of perfect fiscal integrity,” according to an official news release. “The Auditor of State Award is far from a participation trophy.”

The award is reserved for public entities that navigate through an audit process with zero red flags. To qualify, the agency must file timely reports and receive an audit free of findings for recovery, or misspent funds, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies and, finally, no ethics referrals or public records issues.

“By keeping accurate financial records, governing bodies demonstrate their commitment to efficient, effective and transparent service,” according to the Auditor of State’s Office. “This award honors public entities that have put in the hard work to keep their finances in order.”

Yeater joined HMHA in 2012 as chief financial officer and extended her role into the executive director’s position in 2018. She has nearly 35 years of experience in financial operations and corporate management in the public and private sectors.

Yeater said she has guided organizations of all sizes and holds a healthy track record “in optimizing budgeting systems, financial modeling and long-term forecasting.”

“This latest recognition solidifies HMHA’s reputation as a pillar of reliability in Cadiz,” the Auditor of State’s Office said. “This legacy of excellence ensures the agency is well-prepared to meet the future needs of Harrison County with integrity.”

Yeater also manages core functions including business development, human resources and IT infrastructure. She has a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership and development from Wheeling Jesuit University.