Kathy Gelston, CPA

As VisionFirst Advisors’ financial analyst, Kathy, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), is known near and far for her unparalleled abilities in understanding the numbers. With close to 30 years of executive-level public-sector experience, she brings a depth of understanding of public and private-sector finance particularly in the execution and compliance of economic development programs. Kathy has the unique ability to explain incredible complex financial mechanisms in a way that both the media and taxpayers can understand.

Prior to joining VisionFirst, Kathy served as associate vice president of corporate engagement and economic development at Mississippi State University working with industry to identify university and business partnership opportunities in research, training and problem resolution. As a member of the executive management team for the Office of Research and Economic Development for the university, Kathy set research policy, managed the university research park as well as several university level research centers, provided technical assistance and identified university opportunities for projects considering location or expansion in the state.

Before her tenure at the university, Kathy served as chief financial officer for the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), the state’s primary economic development entity, overseeing the agency’s Financial Resources and Accounting and Finance divisions. She was responsible for the agency’s legislative activities, coordinating state-funded incentive programs and developing incentive packages for industry locating or expanding in the state.

Previously, Kathy worked at KPMG, where she served as the Mississippi specialist and a state and local tax manager for two years, and at the Mississippi Department of Revenue, where she worked for 12 years. She served as deputy director of audit and compliance while at the agency.

Outside of work, spending quality time with family is Kathy’s biggest priority. She can usually be found doting on her four grandchildren, whom she greatly adores. She also enjoys reading a good book, croqueting and watching sports.