Karen Sanchez, Montgomery County Controller. (Credit: Montgomery County)
Sanchez is the first female Montgomery County Controller and the second controller overall from the county to serve as President of PSACC in its 110-year history.
Last week, Montgomery County Controller Karen Sanchez was elected as the new President of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Controllers (PSACC), which comprises controllers from 38 counties in Pennsylvania. She is the first female Montgomery County Controller and the second controller overall from Montgomery County to serve as President of PSACC in its 110 year history.
“I’m honored to have been elected by my colleagues today as President of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Controllers (PSACC)," said Karen Sanchez, Montgomery County Controller. “County controllers have very important and often challenging positions as they serve as the financial watchdogs for their counties. In Montgomery County, I take my role seriously. I have proven to be a crucial part of safeguarding taxpayer dollars and achieving and maintaining our AAA Bond status. PSACC has been a valuable source of professional development for me; I'm proud to serve as President and to have the opportunity to lead in supporting and educating county controllers across the Commonwealth.”
Ms. Sanchez was first elected as Montgomery County Controller in 2015 and is currently serving her third term for the County. Sanchez is an accomplished business lawyer with a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration, both from Temple University. She uses her financial and legal skills in her role as county controller to monitor the County’s finances, including annual audits, payrolls, retirement, contracts, and accounting.
Pennsylvania counties with populations of over 90,000 residents are legally required to have a controller. Their roles are significant as they supervise public money and authorize the County's fiscal transactions. Controllers also have the power to investigate fraud and abuse of public money.
PSACC convenes county controllers across the Commonwealth to provide education and training, and up-to-date resources. It is led by a seven-member executive team. Sanchez previously served as First Vice President before her election to President.
As a commercial lawyer, Sanchez manages legal cases relating to complex financial transactions. She previously served as a Senior Hearing Committee Member for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and has also been awarded a “Top Lawyer of Montgomery County” award for 2024.
Sanchez will be the first President of PSACC from Montgomery County since Dr. Frank P.K Barker held the position in 1944.
