Donna Graham has been an integral part of government in Washington Parish for many years, serving as Director of Finance for the Parish School System and for the past 15 years as Director of Finance for Parish Government. Her retirement from Parish Government became official at the end of June.
She is widely credited with being an important force for a major improvement of the Parish Government’s financial situation, and she has also been a quiet but influential advisor to first Parish President Richard Thomas and then Parish President Ryan Seal.
Donna has worn many hats but for The Era-Leader her most important role was that of Franklinton High School sports photographer. For 16 years she attended many FHS athletic contests, driving long distances when necessary, and always capturing perfect photos that clearly demonstrated the talent, work ethic, and intense pride of Demon players and teams.
Donna has been happily married to William Graham for the past 11 years. Their home is in Abita Springs, where William enjoys retirement after a distinguished career with NASA. His daughter, Sarah Joy, is wrapping up her final class at LSU, where she's earning her degree in Civil Engineering.
Donna's five children, all well-known in Franklinton, are now spread across the country, each carving their own path:
•Joey lives in Franklinton and works at International Paper in Bogalusa. He's a proud father to two wonderful children, Gabriel and Olivia.
•Brandi has spent the last decade as the head softball coach at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She lives in nearby Onalaska with her wife, Chelsey.
•Jordan is based in Washington, D.C., where he serves as a managing pharmacist for CVS.
•Donovan is currently stationed in Georgia with the U.S. Air Force. He lives there with his wife, Kylie, and their son, Anthony James.
•Pierre, her bonus "foster" son, works as a lineman for a utility company in Austin, Texas. He lives there with his wife, Ikia, and their daughter, Gabby.
Donna is deeply rooted in her faith and community. She regularly attends Christian services at Church of the King in Covington, where her spiritual life continues to grow and thrive.
She remains actively involved in civic and professional organizations, including:
•Rotary Club of Franklinton, where she continues to serve and connect with local leaders
•Washington Parish Economic Development Foundation Board, contributing to the region's growth and prosperity
•Louisiana Government Finance Officers Association, where she recently completed her term as President, a role that reflects her dedication to public service and financial leadership.
Upon Donna Graham’s retirement, The Era-Leader interviewed her about her life, her government roles, and her role as The Era-Leader’s FHS sports photographer.
---What was your early life like?
I was born in Tylertown and raised in Franklinton.
I attended Franklinton Elementary through the fourth grade and graduated from Bowling Green School in 1977. My high school years were filled with activity and creativity: I played basketball, danced with the Buccanette dance team, served on the annual staff all four years, and captured school memories through my camera for the yearbook.
Growing up in Franklinton was a joy --- surrounded by good friends, I spent countless hours riding horses, playing sports, and cheering from the sidelines. It was a close-knit community that shaped who I am today.
I went on to earn a BS degree in Accounting from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1981. After graduation I moved to New Orleans and began my career at a CPA firm. One of the first audits I worked on led to the discovery of a fraud scheme -- an early and unforgettable milestone in my professional journey.
In 1982 I married Joe Alonzo, and we relocated to Houston, Texas, where I continued my accounting career at a CPA firm. By the fall of 1983, life took us to Wyoming. During our time there, I passed the CPA exam and worked as a controller for Sky Harbor Air Service, Inc., a Fixed Base Operation at the Cheyenne airport. It was also in Wyoming that I experienced one of life's greatest joys -- the birth of my first child, Joseph A. Alonzo, Jr.
---Tell us about your CPA practice with Bill Durden.
In August of 1985 we returned to Franklinton, where I joined Bill Durden's CPA firm. It felt good to be back in familiar surroundings, contributing to the community that had given me so much growing up.
By January 1991, I became a partner in the firm -- Durden and Alonzo, CPAs. For the next 12 years, we provided a wide range of services including financial audits for local governments and non-profit organizations, corporate and individual accounting, and both sales and income tax preparation and consulting. It was a dynamic and fulfilling time in my professional life, marked by growth, trust, and service.
During this period, my family also grew --- I was blessed with three more children, making our home even more lively and full of love. Alongside my work and family life, I remained deeply involved in the community. I was active in the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce, a proud member of the Rotary Club, and engaged with the Louisiana Society of CPAs, staying connected to both civic and professional circles.
---When did you move to the Parish School System?
In 2003, I took on a new and rewarding challenge as Chief Accountant and Operations Manager for the Washington Parish School Board. From 2003 to February 2010, I had the privilege of overseeing the financial operations of the district, working closely with school leaders to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency.
During my tenure, we consistently received clean audit opinions-an achievement that reflected the integrity and diligence of our financial practices. One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of is helping the district earn the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This prestigious recognition, awarded for our comprehensive annual financial reports, has continued as a standard of excellence for the district ever since.
I had the honor of serving under two dedicated superintendents -- Dennie Fowler and Darryl Fairburn, alongside a committed School Board. Together, we navigated the complexities of public education finance, always with the goal of supporting students, educators, and the broader community.
---And then you joined the Parish Government?
In February 2010, I began a new chapter in public service as the Director of Finance and Personnel for Washington Parish Government-a role I held with pride and dedication until June 2025. Over these 15 years, I worked under two Parish Presidents: Richard Thomas (2010-2023) and Ryan Seal (2024-2025), both of whom led with a commitment to transparency and progress.
Throughout my tenure, I collaborated with an outstanding group of parish leaders and elected officials. Among them were Parish Council members Randy Thomas, Aubrey Posey, Dr. Charles Nassauer, Ken Wheat, Greg Route, Andre Johnson, Mike Fussell, Pete Thomas, Perry Talley, Chris Workman, Phillipp Bedwell, David Anthony, Levi Lewis, Kim Wagner, Reggie McMasters, Shawn Rice, Carley King, Joe Culpepper, Steven Branch, and Clark Harry. Their dedication to the people of Washington Parish was evident in every decision and initiative.
I also worked closely with law enforcement and judicial leaders, including Sheriffs Robert Crowe, Randy Seal, and Jason Smith; District Attorneys Walter Reed, Warren Montgomery, and Colin Sims; and 22nd Judicial District Judges William J. Knight, Scott Gardner, William "Bill" Burris, Ellen Creel, and Billy Burris. Other key collaborators included Clerk of Court Johnny Crain (Sr. and Jr.), Assessors Randy Seal and Jimbo Stevenson, and Registrar of Voters Randy Strickland. I also valued strong partnerships with the mayors and council members of Franklinton, Bogalusa, Varnado, and Angie.
One of the most pivotal moments of my career came during a historic meeting called by the Parish to address a critical financial challenge: the $92 Parish Fund balance. For the first time in Washington Parish history, all elected officials and agency leaders came together to confront the issue head-on. That meeting marked a turning point. Through open dialogue and shared responsibility, we built consensus around a sales tax to fund the mandated costs of the criminal justice system. The unified support for that initiative not only stabilized parish finances -- it set a precedent for collaboration and long-term planning that continues to benefit the parish today.
Over the years, my role in parish government brought no shortage of challenges -- but each one was an opportunity to grow, adapt, and serve with purpose. From hurricanes and tropical storms to ice storms and devastating floods, Washington Parish has weathered its share of natural disasters. I was proud to be part of the team that managed the financial response to these crises, ensuring that state and federal relief funds were used effectively and transparently to support recovery and rebuild stronger.
What made this work so fulfilling was that no two days were ever the same. Each day brought new challenges, new lessons, and new opportunities to make a difference. Whether it was navigating a crisis or launching a long-term initiative, I approached every task with a sense of responsibility, curiosity, and commitment to the people of Washington Parish.
---Your role as The Era-Leader FHS sports photographer must have been very satisfying.
It was. My journey as the unofficial "sideline photographer" at Franklinton High School began in 2000, when my son Joey entered as a freshman. What started as a way to capture memories quickly became a 15-year passion project, documenting FHS football, basketball, softball, baseball, and track through my lens until the 2015 football season -- just after my youngest son, Donovan, graduated.
My time on the field coincided with Coach Shane Smith's arrival as FHS head football coach, and I had the privilege of photographing countless unforgettable athletes. Among the most memorable were the incredible young men of the 2010 state championship football team -- true standouts both on and off the field. Reggie Wilson's game-winning touchdown and Josh Robinson's heartbreaking injury are moments forever etched in my memory.
My love for photography began in high school as a yearbook photographer, and it naturally evolved into a deep connection with sports photography. One of my most unforgettable experiences was traveling all the way to Abilene, Texas, to capture an FHS pre-season game. That trip set the tone for the championship season and remains one of my proudest moments behind the camera.
Over 14 years, my four children -- and our bonus "foster" son, Pierre Wilson -- competed in nearly every sport FHS had to offer. Each left their mark in their own unique way, and through them, I had the honor of witnessing and preserving the spirit, grit, and heart of an entire generation of Franklinton Demon athletes.
---As you move into retirement, what would you say to the citizens of Washington Parish?
I deeply appreciate the opportunity to have served Washington Parish. It has been an honor to work alongside so many dedicated individuals and to contribute to the well-being of our community.
As I begin my retirement, I look forward to spending more time with my family, traveling, playing pickleball, and embracing all the joys life has to offer.
