Eric Woolery, CPA has long been an advocate for the taxpayer, first as the founder of a regional CPA firm specializing in services for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and later in the public sector as the chief financial officer for a major County department and as a City Treasurer.
Eric was elected County Auditor-Controller in June of 2014 by a historic margin of 57% in a field of five candidates and was sworn into office in January 2015.
As a CPA he vigorously represented businesses, governmental agencies, and individuals against the state and federal government in matters of interpretation of the law. In his auditing experience, Eric created and implemented controls resulting in efficiencies in personnel, equipment, and cash.
For seven years he served as the Deputy Director of Administration for the Riverside County District Attorney’s where he was responsible for the administrative services for the almost 750-member staff and the department’s $100 million budget. He represented the District Attorney’s Office in financial matters with the Riverside County Auditor-Controller’s Office and other County agencies in order to create best business practices for the County and to safeguard taxpayer resources.
In addition to an extensive financial professional background, Eric has been active civically to ensure good governmental practices and transparencies are at work in his community.
Eric served as an elected member of the Orange County Board of Education, where he provided a common sense and responsible approach to using educational funds within the County Department of Education.
As Treasurer for the City of Orange helped the Council forecast pension costs with new accounting standards so the Council could make policy changes balance employee compensation and benefits while providing a high level of service to its citizens. Prior to serving as Treasurer, Eric was a valued member of the Orange Audit Oversight Committee for ten years. There, he acted on behalf of the City Council by helping establish auditing policies, reviewing audit reports and recommendations, and choosing the City’s auditing firm.
Eric graduated from Lutheran High School of Orange County and from the California State University at Fullerton, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Accounting. After graduating from college, he went to work for the public accounting firm Ernst & Young and quickly earned a California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
Eric resides in Orange with Lisa, his high school sweetheart and wife of twenty-two years; their two young children, Liam and Kate; and the family dog, Twix, a Labrador retriever. The family enjoys gardening, backyard chickens, reading, hiking, and going to the beach.