Janet Dutcher has built a career defined by purpose, precision, and a passion for public service. With a longstanding background in financial leadership, she is the director of finance for the County of Mono in California. Since taking on this role, Dr. Dutcher has led initiatives that have reshaped how the county approaches financial management. Her leadership has introduced transparent accounting practices and implemented target-based budgeting strategies that continue to strengthen the county’s financial stability, support fiscal responsibility, and build community trust.
Dr. Dutcher’s academic accomplishments reflect a deep commitment to continuous learning. She has a Doctor of Public Administration, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. These credentials underscore her dedication to maintaining the highest financial governance and professional ethics standards.
Dr. Dutcher’s approach to public finance is both strategic and innovative. She consistently works to modernize processes and establish practices that improve efficiency, accountability, and service delivery. Her efforts have ensured that limited public resources are managed with integrity and purpose. She has also mentored staff and built collaborative relationships across departments, reinforcing a culture of shared responsibility for financial stewardship.
Previously, Dr. Dutcher was the assistant chief administrative officer for budget and finance in Alpine County, California. In that role, she led critical efforts to modernize the county’s financial operations, including implementing a paperless invoice processing system. She played a pivotal role in navigating the county through significant revenue shortfalls by introducing strategic budget planning techniques. Through these efforts, she reduced the county’s budget deficit by millions of dollars and helped establish a structurally balanced budget, laying the groundwork for long-term fiscal health.
Dr. Dutcher also was a senior finance officer in Alpine County, where she championed the integration of automation and artificial intelligence tools to streamline routine financial tasks. Her focus on adopting new technologies improved the efficiency of financial operations and allowed for more strategic allocation of resources. Earlier in her career, she worked in the private sector as an audit manager at regional accounting firms. These roles gave her a strong foundation in financial auditing, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance, all of which she has carried into her public sector leadership.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Dutcher remains actively engaged in industry organizations such as Beta Alpha Psi and the Government Finance Officers Association. She also volunteers at her local Lutheran church, further demonstrating her commitment to service inside and outside of government.
Outside of work, Dr. Dutcher enjoys spending time with her three children, traveling, and attending Broadway musicals. A native of Clovis, she is passionate about education and looks forward to teaching at the university level. She aims to inspire future finance professionals and promote public sector work as a meaningful and rewarding career path that makes a difference in people’s lives.