At the July 28, 2025 meeting of the Tollway Finance and Audit Committee, Executive Director Cassandra and Chief Financial Officer Kathy Williams recognized Controller Patricia "Patty" Kern and the agency's senior debt manager, identified in meeting remarks both as Bill O'Connell and as William O'Connor, who are heading into retirement after long tenures with the agency.

The recognition came as the committee opened its meeting and before the committee began its annual comprehensive financial review. "Patty has definitely been very passionate about the work for the Tollway," Executive Director Cassandra said, praising Kern's work during audits and her long partnership with internal audit. Kathy Williams said Kern "has been with the Tollways for 26 years and has been the controller for the last 13 years," and noted Kern manages a staff of 42 employees responsible for accounts payable, payroll and financial reporting.

Kern's tenure included leading monthly accounting closes, statutory reporting and work through the COVID shutdown, Williams said. Williams also reported that the Tollway had "0 audit findings" at the audit then under discussion. Williams described the pair as "the backbone of the financial operations," and said O'Connell had "steered our debt management group for nearly 18 years." Both, Williams said, are "heading into some well-earned retirements."

The committee approved routine minutes from its June 18, 2025 meeting by motion and voice vote before the recognitions. There were no public commenters at the start of the session.

The remarks were celebratory and focused on continuity in the finance office; no personnel appointments or formal staffing actions were proposed or taken during the portion of the meeting covered by the transcript. The committee proceeded to the day's financial review after the recognitions.