In her second term as Beaufort County’s Treasurer, Maria Walls is a wife, mother of four, and Certified Public Accountant focused on safeguarding public funds, customer service development, and maximizing investment opportunities for Beaufort County. Maria’s prior professional experience as an auditor and Beaufort County’s Deputy Treasurer, laid a strong foundation for building a Treasurer’s Office that is innovative and service-focused. This has included launching two major online service initiatives; working with State representatives to change South Carolina law; becoming the first County in the state to deliver tax bills electronically; implementing a staff development program to create a culture of leadership and ownership; achieving the highest collection rate for Beaufort County in over a decade; and developing an investment protocol that has increased investment returns 1,103%. Ms. Walls is a two time winner of Thomson Reuters’ Office Holder of the Year award, selected from public servants around the world, for having achieved excellence in planning, leadership and service in the Treasurer’s Office; and is the only recipient to receive the award more than once. She was also awarded the Local Government Award in 2016 by the South Carolina Republican Party for outstanding service to Beaufort County through the exemplification of conservative principles in public office.