Meet Our Team

Phillip Hurd, CIA, CCEP
Chief Audit Executive

Phil began working in the UHS Internal Auditing Department in January, 2020.  For over twenty-one years Phil has delivered vital Ethics, Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance and Internal Audit leadership to organizations with multi-billion dollar operations.  Phil has recruited, trained and lead staffs of audit and investigative professionals that have changed the way business was conducted at the organization and system level. Phil’s responsibilities have included the development and implementation of policies, processes, standards and analytic work tools to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and operational savvy.

Phil and his teams have uncovered millions of dollars in fraud, malfeasance, theft and misdirection.  Hundreds of fraud and investigative interviews, participation in numerous prosecutions of fraud, and thousands of hotline cases have tempered his investigative skills and given him enhanced insight into ethics and the lack thereof.

Before entering the world of higher education he spent a decade in the United States Army. Through that experience as an electronic warfare and intelligence professional he learned the real world critical need of integrity, confidentiality and availability of information assets. His diverse portfolio of skills and experience has given him the ability to speak authoritatively on ethics, fraud, data analytics, leadership, internal control structures, compliance and motivation. Phil is a frequent presenter at professional conferences and teaches purchasing card and data analytics classes at the College Business Management Institute (CBMI).

Phil is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), and holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems (MSIS).  He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Brandee O'Neal, CIA
Director, Operational and Financial Audits

Brandee O’Neal, a Certified Internal Auditor, joined the UHS Internal Auditing Department in 2011 as a senior auditor.  She has over twenty years of experience in internal audit and accounting with Texas Department of Criminal Justice, one of the state’s largest agencies and the University of Houston System. Brandee supervises audits pertaining to UH System operations, and compliance with regulations, policies and procedures.  She is developing as an expert in UH operations.  Brandee is also setting a standard for leadership in our field by currently serving as the President of the Texas Association of College and University Auditors (TACUA) – the largest state centric higher education professional auditor organization in the nation. Brandee received a Master of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University.  She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Tony Moreno, CFE
Auditor IV

Tony Moreno, a Certified Fraud Examiner, began working in the UHS Internal Auditing Department in 2005.  He works closely with the compliance and investigation triage committee. Tony is developing an expertise in the UHCL operations, policy and procedures.  Other experience includes nine years of internal audit experience and ten years of banking experience. He received B.S. degrees in Economics and Anthropology from the University of Houston. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Kim Gerry, CFE
Auditor IV

Kim Gerry, a Certified Fraud Examiner, joined the UHS Internal Auditing Department in 2019 as an Auditor II.  She joined the department having five years of public accounting experience and over 15 years of bookkeeping, accounting and tax experience. Kim is passionate about changing the audit profession to embrace new technologies and methods.  She has chosen to specialize in data manipulation and analytics.   Additionally, Kim is developing as an expert in UHD operations.  She has embarked upon leadership within the profession by serving as a Board member of Texas Association of College and University Auditors (TACUA).  Kim received a Master’s Degree in Accounting from University of Houston – Clear Lake.  She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Connie Applebach, CISA
Auditor III

Connie Applebach, a Certified Information Systems Auditor, began working in the UHS Internal Auditing Department in 2017.  Connie is responsible for being a liaison with our co-sourced IT auditors.  She also oversees the computer security procedures of the office.  Other experience includes: nine years previous experience with the UHS Internal Auditing Department and two years with the Texas A&M University System Internal Auditing Department.  Connie is involved with leadership within the profession by serving as a member of the Professional Education Committee of the national Association of College and University Auditors (ACUA).  She received a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from Lamar University and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor.  She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics and the Information Systems Audit and Control Assoication (ISACA).

Eric Porter, CFE
Auditor III

Eric Porter, a Certified Fraud Examiner, began working in the UHS Internal Auditing Department in 2014. Other experience includes two years of internal auditing experience at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and 20 years of experience in the transportation, real estate, and energy industries. He received a B.B.A. degree in Finance, M.B.A. degree, and a M.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Houston. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Emily Tran, CFE, AIRC
Auditor II

Emily, a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and an Associate Insurance Regulatory Compliance (AIRC) joined the UHS Internal Auditing Department in 2015. Emily brings over 15 years of regulatory compliance audit/analyst experience in the insurance and financial industry. She received her B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Houston – Downtown. She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Aiden Ho
Auditor I

Aiden joined the UHS Internal Auditing Department in June 2023 as an Auditor I. He has some experience in accounting with the Office of Contracts and Grants at the University of Houston. He received a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from the University of Houston.  He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics.

Barbara White
Executive Administrative Assistant

Barbara began working in the UHS Internal Auditing Department in July, 2019. Other experience includes more than 30 years of administrative professional experience with various Fortune 500 companies which include engineering, construction, aerospace, energy, and public relations and advertising firms. She received an Associate’s Degree from San Jacinto College and a B.A. in Humanities from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.