2026 CSMFO Conference Magazine

CONFERENCE Magazine

2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2026 COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Sara Castro, Board Liaison

Heidi Schoeppe, Chair

Erika Gomez, Vice Chair

Jennifer Fillinger, Vice Chair

Alberto Preciado, Member

Karla Romero, Member

Rich Lee, Member

Thomas Leung, Member

Neil Murthy, Member

Wing-See Fox, Member

James Russell-Field, Member

Jennifer Becker, Member

Will Fuentes, Member

Tori Roberts, Member

Trevor Mael, Member

Todd Craghead, Member

Travis Hickey, Member

Drew Corbett, Senior Advisor

Editorial Design - Impact AMC | Photography by Tim Przybyla and R.N. Mendoza

ANNUAL CONFERENCE MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE....................................................

PRESIDENT-ELECT’S MESSAGE.........................................

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE..................................

2026 AWARDS FOR INNOVATION.................................

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD..................................

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD.................................

PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS.........................................

FEATURED SPEAKERS......................................................

GOLF HIGHLIGHTS..........................................................

PICKLEBALL HIGHLIGHTS................................................

2026 CSMFO PRESIDENT’S DINNER...............................

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT................................

THURSDAY NIGHT EVENT...............................................

EXHIBIT HALL & THANK YOU SPONSORS......................

OUT OF STATE ATTENDEES/VIPS....................................

CHAPTER EXPERIENCE.....................................................

MOBILE PHONE PHOTO GALLERY..................................

CONFERENCE METRICS “BY THE NUMBERS”..................

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS - CONCURRENT SESSIONS.........

TESTIMONIALS/FAVORITE

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Stephen Parker, 2026 President

We certainly did “Explore Our Financial Landscape” together at CSMFO’s 2026 Conference! The conference is always one of my favorite weeks of the year, but when you’ve spent a year helping plan it, it takes on an even more special meaning.

In many ways, this wasn’t my conference. Karla Romero was elected by CSMFO members in to plan the February 2026 conference – and she did so with remarkable dedication. Karla selected the Host Committee, developed the conference theme, and worked diligently through the countless details that make the conference what it is – including planning every element of the unforgettable “Fund Fest.” However, serving as Chair of an incredible Program Committee, participating on the Host Committee, and being fortunate enough to stay closely involved with Karla in key decisions like selecting Melissa Stockwell as our Wednesday morning Featured Speaker made it much easier when CSMFO members elected me in October 2025 to preside over this year’s conference.

I’ve always known that producing a conference requires significant effort from many dedicated individuals, but there’s nothing quite like being in the middle of it all to truly appreciate just how much work goes into hosting 1,900 attendees over several days. This conference would not have been possible without the Host Committee, the Program Committee, Harriet Commons, Meeting & Association Management Services (MAMS), Impact Association Management, and our Executive Director, Margaret Moggia, who helped to bring it all together.

I extend my sincere thanks to the following committee members whose significant volunteer efforts contributed to this conference’s success:

Host Committee:

Karla Romero, Jennifer Becker, Claude Kilgore, Wing-See Fox, Matt D’Avanzo, Mia Corral-Brown, Veronica Alvarado, Stephanie Reimer, Claudia Martinez, Kofi Antobam, and Maritza Solis

Program Committee:

Stephanie Reimer (Vice Chair), Craig Boyer (Vice Chair), Amber Johnson (Board Liaison), Viki Copeland (Senior Advisor), Margaret O’Brien (Senior Advisor), Rich Lee, Laura Nomura, Dennis Kauffman, Karan Reid, Mary Bradley,

David Cain, and of course our fearless staff leader, Harriet Commons.

While the conference officially begins on Wednesday, Tuesday had plenty of offerings to draw attendees into the desert early. CSMFO set multiple records that day, beginning with six pre-conference trainings – offered in both three-hour and six-hour options. In addition, thanks to excellent planning by Brandon Young and Terry Shea, we had a record-setting more than 130 golfers participate at Tahquitz Creek Golf Course. Meanwhile, BMO and Oracle continued the tradition of hosting the pickleball mixer, where nearly 50 participants enjoyed warm weather, friendly competition, and great networking.

Our Wednesday general session began with the recognition of board transitions and the presidential changeover. Amber Johnson (North) and Jason Al-Imam (South) completed their three-year terms on the Board, and Ernie Reyna (Past President) concluded his time on the Executive Committee. While their formal terms ended, their leadership certainly did not. All three graciously accepted my request to continue serving in key volunteer roles in 2026:

• Amber Johnson as Finance Committee Chair, overseeing the important responsibility of reviewing and approving every check written throughout the year.

• Jason Al-Imam as Professional Standards Committee Chair, where he has already committed to increasing the committee’s meeting frequency to ensure timely and valuable information reaches our members.

• Ernie Reyna as Vice Chair of the Past Presidents Advisory Committee, which has been tasked with advancing three strategies in the 2026 Strategic Plan.

Stepping into Board leadership roles are Jennifer Becker (South), Sara Castro (North), and Will Fuentes (PresidentElect).

Next came the ceremonial passing of the gavel, as Jenn Wakeman officially concluded her outstanding tenure as CSMFO’s 2025 President. Jenn expertly led the organization through a year of significant transition, including moving association management services to Impact, welcoming our new Executive Director Margaret Moggia, and guiding CSMFO’s volunteer leadership to accomplish nearly every objective in the first year of our three-year Strategic Plan.

Thankfully, Jenn is not going far—she now serves as Past President, ensuring we continue to benefit from her thoughtful leadership throughout 2026.

Once the formalities concluded and I shared my first remarks as 2026 President, our Featured Speaker Melissa Stockwell launched the conference in unforgettable fashion – much like the moment she became the first woman to lose a leg in combat during the Iraq War: with a bang. Melissa’s powerful story of perseverance, courage, and determination reminded us that we always have a choice in how we respond to challenges. She encouraged us to dream big, set ambitious goals, and take purposeful steps toward achieving them.

With that inspiration, the conference was officially underway.

This year’s 54 concurrent sessions provided outstanding opportunities to explore our financial landscape through both technical and leadership development. Sessions covered a wide range of topics, including innovation, accounting, leadership, treasury, information technology, budgeting, financial management, and more.

Beyond the sessions themselves, the Program Committee created several additional opportunities for engagement, including CalPERS Actuary appointments, Interview Quick Takes, and Ask the Experts sessions at the CSMFO booth. The Exhibit Hall featured 121 commercial partners sharing services and technologies to support our organizations. Attendees could also take advantage of the Wellness Room for a moment of quiet recharge and a Headshot Station to refresh professional photos.

Thursday included one of my favorite moments of the conference: recognizing Steve Heide with the Distinguished Service Award for his extraordinary contributions to CSMFO. Following that presentation, we heard insightful updates on California’s fiscal outlook, legislation, and key legal developments from our Featured Speakers – Michael Coleman, Kyle Packham (CSDA), and Ben Triffo (Cal Cities). Their perspectives highlighted the ever-changing policy environment in Sacramento and the vital role our partner organizations play in supporting local governments.

New this year was the Volunteer Recognition Event on Thursday evening. More than 150 volunteers and commercial partners joined us for appetizers and drinks as we celebrated the individuals who make CSMFO’s success possible. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with many of the dedicated people working behind the scenes to support our organization.

The evening then transitioned seamlessly into the week’s biggest celebration: Thursday night’s “Fund Fest.”

Held at the Convention Center’s Primrose Ballroom and Foyer, Fund Fest captured the vibrant spirit of the Coachella Valley.

DJ Alf Alpha kept the energy high, joined by live guitar and saxophone performances that kept the dance floor packed. Guests enjoyed a wide variety of food options, photo opportunities, and games – from cornhole to giant Connect 4. Karaoke carried the festivities all the way to the 11:00 PM closing time. It was epic!

After two final rounds of concurrent sessions, Friday’s keynote brought the conference to a memorable close. Everyone’s favorite economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg, delivered a fast-paced and engaging presentation that blended economic insights with plenty of entertainment.

What an incredible week!

Everyone who attended the 2026 CSMFO Conference gained valuable education from exceptional presenters and enjoyed abundant opportunities to connect with colleagues – strengthening the two of our organization’s pillars: professional development and member engagement.

I hope that once you recovered from a few late nights and a generous amount of great food, you returned to your agencies feeling energized and empowered to pursue your goals – with CSMFO proudly standing beside you as a partner in that journey.

PRESIDENT-ELECT MESSAGE

Will Fuentes, 2026 President-Elect

I was honored and humbled to be on the CSMFO ballot last fall, and I remain so today as your President-Elect for 2026. As stated in my candidate statement, I am a strong believer in the power of people and the power of connection, as well as a strong proponent of training and professional development. Over my term, I will work collaboratively with our leadership, governmental members, and commercial partners on initiatives to advance these priorities.

While I certainly want to accomplish those goals, there are two additional things I hope to achieve during my term: (1) inspire others to accomplish things they did not think possible by stepping outside of their comfort zones, and (2) demonstrate the value of living life to the fullest and never taking for granted the relationships we have with our family, friends, colleagues, and those who work for us.

For the first, as many are aware, I have a speech impediment that makes public speaking a challenge. Nevertheless, I will not be the first CSMFO President who has struggled with speaking, nor will I be the last. The courage shown by those before me—standing on the conference stage in front of thousands—has truly inspired me. This is not something that comes easily to me, but I embrace the challenge and the opportunity to continually improve. Hopefully, along the way, I can inspire others to try things that make them profoundly uncomfortable. Life is too short to be controlled by fear.

The second is rooted in an event that changed my life forever on July 12, 2002. That was the day my younger brother and

best friend died in a car accident at just 19 years old. Such a loss shakes a person’s world, and while I miss my brother every day, his passing taught me that life is never guaranteed and that every day should be treated as a blessing. That is why you are just as likely to see me dancing the night away in Belgium at an EDM festival as you are to see me balancing a city’s budget. It is also why I always make time for my family, friends, colleagues, and those who work for me. The relationships we build and the time we spend with others are the most important things we have. They make our jobs better, they make our lives better, and they make CSMFO better.

With that, I sincerely thank you again for the faith and trust you have placed in me. I look forward to another great conference, February 1–4, 2027, in Sacramento—one day earlier than our typical schedule. It is truly going to be something you won’t want to miss, so I encourage you to mark your calendar now.

Because it is: Too Fast, Too Finance – Sacramento Drift!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE

Margaret Moggia, Executive Director

What an incredible backdrop, the San Jacinto Mountains, desert landscape, and palm trees, to “Explore Our Financial Landscape.” While I certainly enjoy the desert’s color hues from sunrise to sunset, I am equally moved by the time spent with colleagues who gather each year to connect in a space dedicated to local government finance.

Welcome back from Palm Springs, where 1,900 attendees gathered for a week of engagement and learning. The days were full, from Tuesday’s kickoff with pre-conference activities to the final conference speaker on Friday.

Tuesday began with deep-dive training sessions ranging from communication and procurement to hands-on training for those exploring how to use AI. And if you needed time in the warm sun, we had that too with golf and pickleball. Perhaps there was a little competition, but the time for 130 golfers on the course and 40 players on the courts was really meant to provide an opportunity to network, learn a new skill, or showcase one’s prowess in the sport.

The evening concluded with a recognition of past presidents to celebrate and reflect on their contributions to CSMFO. This

is especially poignant as we look ahead to celebrating our 70th anniversary next year. We were fortunate to have 15 in attendance, ranging from our most immediate past president to George Ferrone, who served in 1986 (yes, 40 years ago). What an honor to connect with him and see how much has grown, not just in numbers, but in what we offer and represent to our members. Personally, I have seen this evolution from my time serving as President in 2018 to today, as I proudly serve as Executive Director: more training, more connections, and more member engagement.

At this point, I had celebrated a week in one day (at least my feet were telling me that). But as Wednesday began, you could feel the energy as attendees gathered and reconnected with familiar faces. Hugs and photos were shared as greetings were exchanged with colleagues you may only see once a year in person, instead of online in forums or across the screen in a square box. Early sessions, from CalPERS to utility rates, along with CSMFO’s session for first-time attendees, led into the morning general session. The passing of the gavel from Jennifer Wakeman, Immediate Past President, to Stephen Parker, your 2026 President, along with their remarks and pride in serving in this capacity, was a fitting way to officially kick off the conference and demonstrate their commitment to serving members and advancing CSMFO’s vision. Following their reflections, we heard an emotional keynote from Melissa Stockwell, who shared her passion to serve through adversity and rise above challenges.

Over the next three days, there was ample time to connect and learn from subject matter experts through concurrent sessions and exhibit time with sponsors. Each session was curated to bring forward foundational topics, case studies demonstrating proof of concept or lived experience, and solutions to common challenges. We were also fortunate to have 119 sponsors exhibiting, including 21 new sponsors this year. Thank you to each sponsor who joined us to make new connections, reconnect with colleagues, and share the services they offer.

Thursday morning’s general session brought together leading voices in local legislative issues, with Kyle Packman representing CSDA and Ben Triffo representing Cal Cities, facilitated by Michael Coleman. The conference concluded with remarks from Chris Thornberg, who shared his insights on the economy.

While the days were focused on learning, the evenings were filled with opportunities to connect, whether at hosted vendor dinners, through quiet conversations with friends, or at Thursday evening’s Fund Fest, which brought the Coachella Valley festival spirit to our space.

Amid all this activity, I also took time to reflect on the connections that will help sustain and expand what CSMFO represents. There was inspiration around every corner: oneon-one conversations with a first-time attendee, a volunteer serving as an ambassador at our membership booth, or members stepping up as speakers and moderators. These moments created space to hear why members are here and to think more deeply about what comes next, how we continue to grow, evolve, and deliver meaningful value to our members in the year ahead.

I may have walked away with more questions than answers, but I’m thrilled. I’m energized by the possibilities ahead and excited for how CSMFO will continue to grow and deliver meaningful value to our members.

So many decisions were made this past year to bring us to conference week. Thank you to the conference host committee, the program committee, the Board of Directors, and the staff for your time, thoughtfulness, and energy. For some, a little rest is ahead, but we are ready to begin laying the foundation for next year’s conference in Sacramento.

As we look ahead to 2026, we already have exciting initiatives in motion, mentorship and cohort programs, celebrating Government Finance Professionals Week, and actively advancing 29 strategies across our goals of organizational sustainability, member engagement, and professional development.

It is my honor to serve.

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2026 AWARDS FOR INNOVATION

James Russell-Field, Communications Committee Member

The CSMFO Innovation Award recognizes agencies that implement creative, effective solutions to improve public sector finance and operations. This year, two agencies were selected for their outstanding and forward-thinking approaches.

City of Moreno Valley – Managing Surplus Office Supplies & Furniture

In 2022, the City of Moreno Valley recognized an opportunity to improve its process for managing surplus office supplies and furniture. Requests were routed through interoffice mail, handled by a single staff member, and were often delayed for several days, particularly when that employee was unavailable. At the same time, limited visibility into available surplus inventory led departments to make unnecessary purchases, while usable items were frequently discarded due to a lack of awareness.

The City of Moreno Valley’s MoVal Marketplace offers other agencies a practical and scalable model for modernizing surplus management by emphasizing process redesign, transparency, and automation rather than costly technology investments. The Marketplace demonstrates how a paperbased surplus system can be transformed into an efficient, user-friendly internal platform that improves service delivery and reduces waste. By digitizing surplus request forms, automating notifications, and enabling parallel approvals, the City eliminated delays caused by manual routing and singlestaff dependencies, enabling requests to be processed within hours rather than days.

Providing employees with real-time visibility into surplus inventory through photos, descriptions, and an internal browsing portal encourages departments to reuse existing assets before making new purchases, directly supporting cost savings and sustainability goals. This approach also reduces unnecessary disposal of usable items.

Other local governments can readily replicate this model using existing intranet systems or low-code tools, customizing workflows and approval structures to align with their own policies and organizational size. Performance measures such as processing time, actual and avoided costs, inventory reuse rates, and employee participation can be used to demonstrate effectiveness and build long-term support.

Moreno Valley’s experience shows that with modest staff time, commonly available technology resources, and clear procedures, surplus management can evolve from a fragmented administrative task into a strategic tool for fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and interdepartmental collaboration. This innovation is highly transferable, as it addresses a common challenge faced by public agencies and delivers measurable benefits without requiring significant new expenditures.

Dublin San Ramon Services District - Automating Bank Reconciliation with Existing Tools

Bank reconciliation is a critical internal control, but for many agencies it remains a manual and time-intensive process. At Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD), this challenge was driven by high transaction volume—approximately 18,000 receipts per month—and the use of multiple banking, lockbox, and merchant platforms, each producing reports in different formats and posting transactions on different dates. Limited automation within the District’s ERP system further complicated timely reconciliation.

To address these challenges, DSRSD focused on process improvement rather than new software purchases. The goal was to reduce repetitive data preparation and minimize manual transaction matching using tools already available to staff. After testing several options, including Excel formulas, VBA, and Power BI, the District implemented an automated reconciliation process using Power Query within Microsoft Excel.

Power Query allows staff to import and transform data from multiple sources with a one-time setup process. Reconciliation templates were developed to consolidate bank statements, merchant reports, internal deposit logs, and ERP data into a single workbook. With a single refresh, data is updated automatically, and built-in formulas flag unreconciled items for review. This approach significantly reduced manual handling while improving consistency and accuracy.

Since implementing its “Power Bank Rec” process, DSRSD now completes bank reconciliations as early as the 15th of each month, supporting Finance’s performance goal of closing the month by mid-month. Reconciling items are now identified earlier in the process, allowing staff to focus on resolution rather than data assembly. Overall, staff time spent on reconciliation has been reduced by an estimated 50% to

75%, paper files have been eliminated, and documentation has been centralized.

The solution required no additional software costs and minimal training, making it scalable and replicable for other agencies using Microsoft Excel. While the templates were tailored to DSRSD’s banking structure and data sources, the underlying approach demonstrates how thoughtful process design and existing tools can meaningfully improve efficiency, internal controls, and sustainability in public-sector accounting.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

James Russell-Field, Communications Committee Member

The Distinguished Service Award is conveyed by CSMFO to an individual in recognition for outstanding services over a period of years in the field of municipal finance. This is CSMFO’s most exclusive award. This Distinguished Service Award is not presented annually. Instead, it is reserved for individuals whose contributions to municipal finance and to CSMFO reflect exceptional service, leadership, and commitment.

Few individuals embody those qualities as fully as Steve Heide, who joins CSMFO’s Distinguished Service Award recipient list.

Steve’s service to CSMFO and the municipal finance profession includes service in some of CSMFO’s most impactful committees, including Membership, Student Engagement, the Commercial Partner Committee, and the Past Presidents Advisory Committee. In each role, Steve has contributed expertise, thoughtful leadership, strategic vision, and a genuine desire to strengthen both the organization and the people within it.

One of Steve’s most meaningful recent contributions has been his work to strengthen collaboration between the Student Engagement Committee and the Commercial Partner Committee. Steve recognized that the future of municipal finance depends on developing the next generation of professionals and championed a more coordinated approach to student outreach. His vision expanded how students are introduced to the field and connected them not only with public agencies but with the broader ecosystem of local government finance. This vision reflects Steve’s long-standing perspective that the profession must continuously invest in those who will carry it forward.

Many CSMFO members experienced Steve’s leadership most clearly during his term as CSMFO President in 2020. What began as a year filled with promise quickly became one of the most challenging periods in recent history. Within weeks of the 2020 Conference at Disneyland, the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed how we worked and connected with one another. CSMFO, like many organizations, was forced to quickly transition to remote meetings, virtual conferences,

and uncharted territory. During that time of tremendous uncertainty, Steve led CSMFO with clarity and composure. He listened deeply, encouraged participation, and built consensus. People respect and trust Steve, and that trust helped unify CSMFO.

What truly distinguishes Steve is not simply what he has accomplished, but how he has done it. Steve is known throughout CSMFO for his humility. He rarely seeks recognition and consistently redirects credit to others and to the broader mission of the organization. For Steve, leadership has always meant creating opportunities for others to succeed.

Over the years, he has mentored countless professionals across Southern California and beyond. Many members trace their first involvement with CSMFO back to Steve’s quiet encouragement. Whether at a conference session or networking event, Steve has a way of noticing the person standing alone and making the effort to welcome them into the conversation. In doing so, he has helped build the inclusive and supportive culture that defines CSMFO today.

Steve’s mentorship often extends beyond professional development. Colleagues frequently share stories of Steve reaching out privately when someone is facing a challenge, offering support and encouragement without seeking recognition. Those small acts of kindness, repeated over decades, have made a lasting impact on many within the municipal finance community.

After more than 30 years in local government, Steve continues to serve both the profession and the broader community. In addition to his ongoing involvement with CSMFO, most recently as Committee Chair of the Past Presidents Advisory Committee, Steve also serves on the Board of Directors of Words Alive, a San Diego nonprofit dedicated to advancing literacy and lifelong learning.

Steve Heide exemplifies the highest ideals of public service and professional leadership. His career reflects a commitment not only to the technical excellence of municipal finance, but to the people who make the profession strong.

For his visionary leadership, his steady guidance during one of CSMFO’s most challenging years, and his decades of mentorship and service, CSMFO proudly recognizes Steve Heide with the Distinguished Service Award

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

James Russell-Field, Communications Committee Member

The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented by CSMFO to volunteer members who demonstrate commitment to advancing CSMFO’s mission and strengthening the municipal finance profession across California.

CSMFO’s vision and accomplishments are built on the dedication of members who generously contribute their time and expertise to strengthen this professional community and elevate the standards of municipal financial management across California. Volunteers are the backbone of CSMFO. Volunteers drive committees, shape our educational offerings, support our chapters, and help build meaningful opportunities for engagement, learning, and innovation.

For his selfless service, thoughtful leadership, and sustained dedication to advancing CSMFO’s values, CSMFO is excited to recognize Nick Kurns as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year.

Nick’s contributions have been instrumental in ensuring that CSMFO’s educational initiatives and professional development programs continue to meet the evolving needs of CSMFO’s membership. Through a collaborative and forwardthinking approach, Nick has helped expand and refine learning opportunities that serve members at every stage of their careers.

In 2025, Nick played a key role in advancing five strategies from CSMFO’s 2025 work plan. Under his leadership of the Career Development Committee, CSMFO successfully reintroduced in-person training opportunities, including the Weekend Training program and Public Speaking for Finance Professionals, creating valuable spaces for connection and skill development. These efforts complemented a detailed catalog of offerings, including 33 core courses serving 1,240 registrations and 11 webinars reaching 3,498 participants. In addition, a new course was offered in 2025.

Beyond the numbers, Nick’s impact is felt in how he approaches leadership. Known for his steadfast commitment and humble approach, he often follows up on even casual suggestions for new courses with genuine curiosity. While he may not be the loudest voice in the room, Nick’s perspective carries weight. When he speaks, CSMFO peers listen.

Nick’s willingness to go above and beyond in support of his committee, fellow volunteers, and the broader CSMFO community reflects the very best of what volunteerism means within CSMFO.

For his selfless service, thoughtful leadership, and continued dedication to advancing CSMFO’s mission and values, CSMFO proudly recognizes Nick Kurns as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Nick was presented the award at the March 19th Board Meeting.

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PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS

Drew Corbett, Communications Committee Senior Advisor

While the CSMFO annual conference in Palm Springs officially began on Wednesday, February 25th, 220 finance professionals arrived the day before to attend one of the very popular pre-conference educational sessions. Pre-conference sessions have been a staple of the CSMFO conference for years, and the offerings have continued to expand as demand has increased. The 2026 conference featured six options from which to choose, up from the five sessions available in 2025 and the four sessions that had been available over the past few years. The increase in the number of pre-conference offerings over the past few years demonstrates the impact of CSMFO’s training offerings for the state’s municipal finance professionals.

This year’s pre-conference offerings featured sessions on process automation, including the strategic and practical use of artificial intelligence; the essentials of public procurement; communicating with key stakeholders; public speaking; internal controls in action; and the current municipal bond landscape. The sessions provided flexibility for attendees, with three of the sessions covering a six-hour timeframe over the morning and afternoon and providing 6 CPE credits, two three-hour morning sessions (3 CPE), and one three-hour afternoon session (3 CPE).

CSMFO’s vision is to be the preeminent resource for promoting excellence in government finance, and a significant part of promoting that excellence is the training and education programs offered. These programs are developed and provided based on what CSMFO is hearing from its members and are often delivered by its robust group of volunteers that fuel the organization. We’re fortunate to have these volunteers who have developed a level of expertise in one or more areas of municipal finance and are willing to share that expertise with our membership, including during the pre-conference sessions.

As we look forward to next year’s conference in Sacramento, I hope you will consider taking advantage of the great opportunity (and CPE credits) provided by CSMFO by getting to the conference a day early and attending a preconference session (or two). It’s a great way to kick off the conference and meet some of your colleagues with similar interests.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Thomas Leung, Communications Committee Member

Featured Speaker Report: Resilience, Fiscal Leadership, and the Economic Outlook

This year’s CSMFO Conference featured an outstanding lineup of speakers who inspired and challenged attendees to think differently about leadership, public finance, and the future economy. Featured speakers included Melissa Stockwell, Michael Coleman along with Kyle Packman and Ben Triffo, and Dr. Christopher Thornberg, each of whom provided valuable insights and perspectives for public finance professionals.

Melissa Stockwell: Resilience, Positivity, and Perspective

Melissa Stockwell, the featured opening keynote speaker, shared her inspiring story, from serving in the U.S. Army to becoming a Paralympic athlete. She spoke about her experience serving in Iraq, where she was injured and lost her leg, and how that life-changing moment led her to redefine her goals and perspective.

Following her recovery, she went on to compete as a Paralympic athlete, demonstrating resilience, determination, and perseverance. Her story focused not only on overcoming adversity, but also on mindset, perspective, and choosing how to respond to challenges.

A central theme of her presentation was focusing on ability rather than disability, maximizing what you do have rather than what you do not, and embracing what she described as the “power of choice.” She emphasized the importance of positivity, gratitude, and perspective, and spoke about how family and support systems played a major role in her journey.

Her message reminded attendees that challenges and setbacks are part of life, but attitude and perspective determine how those challenges shape us. Her presentation set a positive and energizing tone for the conference and left a lasting impression on attendees.

Michael Coleman: California Fiscal Outlook and Local Government Finance

Michael Coleman, a fiscal policy advisor specializing in California local government finance, along with Kyle Packman and Ben Triffo, delivered one of the most anticipated sessions of the conference. Their annual session is widely

attended by finance professionals from cities, counties, and special districts for its comprehensive update on California local government revenues, legislation, financial conditions, and other pressing fiscal issues.

The session covered trends in local government revenues, state budget impacts, and legislative developments affecting local agencies. The speakers emphasized the importance of long-term financial planning, maintaining reserves, and preparing for economic uncertainty. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A discussion on current fiscal issues facing California local governments.

Dr. Christopher Thornberg: Economic Trends Shaping Public Finance

Dr. Christopher Thornberg, founder of Beacon Economics, concluded the conference with an engaging and insightful economic forecast. Known for his candid and data-driven analysis, Thornberg provided a clear overview of the economic trends shaping the future and how they impact local government finance.

He discussed inflation, interest rates, labor markets, and broader economic conditions, and how these factors influence local government revenues, budgeting, and longterm financial planning. His presentation helped attendees better understand the economic environment and the importance of planning for economic uncertainty and longterm fiscal sustainability.

Thornberg challenged common economic assumptions and encouraged finance professionals to focus on long-term trends rather than short-term headlines. His presentation provided valuable perspective on preparing for economic cycles and maintaining strong financial management practices in an evolving economic environment.

A Lasting Impact

The featured speakers at this year’s conference provided valuable perspectives on resilience, leadership, fiscal planning, and economic trends. Together, their presentations reminded attendees that public finance requires not only technical expertise, but also resilience, leadership, and the ability to plan for an uncertain economic future. Their insights left a lasting impact on this year’s conference and on the professionals who serve their communities every day.

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GOLF HIGHLIGHTS

Alberto Preciado & Tori Roberts, Director & Communications Committee Member

The 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference Golf Tournament welcomed attendees to Palm Springs with a morning of sunshine, camaraderie, and friendly competition. Held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the tournament teed off in the morning on the Resort Course at Tahquitz Creek Golf Course, offering a record 124 participants a refreshing and scenic start to their conference week.

This year’s setting was especially memorable. Recent snowfall across the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains created a dramatic contrast—crisp white peaks rising above warm, golden fairways—giving golfers a rare and stunning backdrop for their round. The cool morning air quickly gave way to perfect playing conditions as the sun climbed, making for an ideal day on the course.

Thanks to the continued generosity of our corporate sponsors, CSMFO was able to secure the course exclusively for the tournament, ensuring a smooth pace of play and a relaxed, private club atmosphere. Participants gathered early for breakfast burritos, hot coffee, and pre-round conversation before heading out to their carts. Boxed lunches and plenty of “swing juice” kept everyone energized throughout the day.

President-Elect Will Fuentes, from Campbell, CA, welcomed the group with opening remarks, expressing appreciation for the sponsors who make this long-standing tradition possible. Under clear skies and with the mountains glowing in the morning light, golfers posted strong performances across the board.

Beyond the competition, the tournament delivered what it always does best: connection. Colleagues reconnected, new friendships formed, and plenty of good-natured rivalry played out across the fairways. Whether participants came for the golf, the networking, or the rare combination of sunshine and snow-capped mountain views, the 2026 tournament set a warm and memorable tone for the week ahead.

Tournament Results

1st Place Foursome

• Bobby Young — HdL Companies

• Ron Trimmer — US Bank

• Nick Nelson — US Bank

• Will Kaholokula — City of San Gabriel

2nd Place Foursome

• Carter Kimberly — PARS

• Ryan Nicasio — PARS

• Rochelle Patterson — Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency

• Kim Grass — Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency

Most Honest Team

• Riley Greenlee — LSL, LLP

• Berrett Warnick — LSL, LLP

• Christie Donnelly — City of South San Francisco

• Mayxay Xiong — Sacramento Area Council of Governments

On-Course Contest Winners

• Longest Drive – Men: Parker Swoish — Great Pacific Securities

• Longest Drive – Women: Kim Grass — Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency

• Closest to the Pin (Front 9): Nick Nelson — US Bank

• Closest to the Pin (Back 9): Bret Black — Eastern Municipal Water District (Hole-in-One!)

• Straightest Drive: Trevor Mael — EverBank

PICKLEBALL HIGHLIGHTS

Jennifer Becker, Director

For years, I have watched in amazement as the sport of pickleball has swept the nation. I see pickleball fanatics lined up at our local parks waiting for a turn on the court. I’ve witnessed “pickleball lobbyists” urging our City Council to convert more tennis courts over to pickleball. We even had a pickleball movie starring Ben Stiller that recently filmed at the Burbank Tennis Center. I’ll admit, I didn’t really get what all the fuss was about, so when the CSMFO News team needed a writer to cover the very popular CSMFO pickleball tournament, I decided it was time to step off the sidelines and find out for myself.

The 14th Annual CSMFO Pickleball Mixer was once again hosted and sponsored by Bank of Montreal (BMO), and joined by trophy sponsor, Oracle. On Tuesday, February 24, guests entered the pristine grounds of the Palm Desert Resort Country Club and arrived at the state-of-the-art Courts at Palm Desert Resort to be greeted by the organizers and hosts with water and snacks. The desert scenery was spectacular, with crystal-clear skies, and the unseasonably warm temperatures did not stop 42 registered CSMFO members from showing up ready to work up a sweat.

After some warm-up time, participants were welcomed by our hosts and introduced to our professional pickleball coaches, who divided us up by skill level for the group clinic. Advanced players participated in live drills and learned tips to advance their skills, while beginners like myself got the full Pickleball 101 course, learning everything from serving to scoring to dinking. As a former tennis player, I picked up the general movements quickly, but boy, did I have a lot to learn about where to stand, how to announce the score, who serves when, and how to stay out of the kitchen (IYKYK).

After the clinics, it was game on. Groups were organized into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced skill/experience levels and the round robin tournament commenced. The friendly competition heated up under the desert sun as players dinked and volleyed their way to victory or defeat. I chose to stay with the newbies and practice my skills, but I secretly wished I was out on the court competing. I’ll admit it – after a couple hours of practice, I was totally hooked. If anyone in SoCal is looking for a pickleball partner, let me know. I plan to attend next year’s event ready to compete!

Big thanks to Lily Ng and Tito Ibarrola from Bank of Montreal (BMO) along with Henrik Beijar from Oracle for sponsoring and organizing this fun event, as well as all the CSMFO staff who helped make it happen. And congratulations to the tournament winners listed below!

Beginner:

• 1st Place - Rosendo Ruiz - Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District

• 2nd Place - Ashley Doyle - City of Fairfield

• 3rd Place - Jack Liang - City of Glendale

Intermediate:

• 1st Place - Stephen Parker - City of Upland

• 2nd Place - Jason McBride - California Joint Powers Insurance Authority

• 3rd Place - Mark Alvarado - Retired Member

Advanced:

• 1st Place - Rosa Schulte - Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

• 2nd Place - Eric McKean - Ramirez & Co., Inc.

• 3rd Place - Jason Huk - Oracle

2026 CSMFO PRESIDENT’S DINNER

Stephen Parker & Will Fuentes, President & President-Elect

This year’s CSMFO President’s Dinner was hosted by current President Stephen Parker and 2025 President-Elect Karla Romero.

Karla had planned the evening as part of her President-Elect duties before stepping away from her CSMFO leadership role due to health concerns.

In recognition of the limited availability of large restaurants in Palm Springs – and in an effort to return the President’s Dinner closer to its roots of celebrating CSMFO’s Past Presidents – the Board voted in 2025 to reduce the number of participants for this year’s gathering, creating a more intimate and reflective evening.

That spirit of camaraderie was evident on Tuesday, February 24, when 17 Past Presidents gathered at Kaiser Grille Palm Springs, including 1986 CSMFO President George Ferrone, the evening’s elder statesman.

The evening began as the sun dipped behind the desert mountains, casting a warm glow over Kaiser Grille’s covered open-air courtyard. Past Presidents and their guests mingled easily, reconnecting over shared memories and stories from their years of service. Passed hors d’oeuvres, glasses of wine, and the warmth of an outdoor fireplace – accented with CSMFO blue lighting – created an inviting atmosphere.

As the reception concluded, President Stephen Parker gathered the group for a few remarks and first invited Karla Romero to speak. Karla expressed heartfelt thanks to those who assisted in planning the conference and to those who supported her during the transition away from CSMFO leadership.

Stephen then thanked Executive Director Margaret Moggia and Karla Romero for asking Past Presidents three questions with their RSVP responses. They were asked what they were most proud of during their presidency, what key lessons they learned, and what advice they would offer CSMFO today. While the responses – some displayed on tables throughout the venue – could fill an article of their own, Stephen highlighted two examples illustrating how today’s organization is built upon past leadership.

John De Russy, President in 1989 and unable to attend the evening, shared that he was most proud of establishing

Bill Statler (2001) reflected on creating CSMFO’s current logo, representing an organization that is “on the move” and committed to continual progress.

After remarks and a group photo of the Past Presidents, guests moved into the main dining room for dinner featuring wild Alaskan halibut, chicken piccata, or filet mignon. While the cuisine was exceptional, it was the company that truly defined the evening. Past Presidents shared stories with their guests and current Board members – some of whom may one day join the ranks of CSMFO Presidents themselves. The hours passed quickly in the warmth of fellowship and shared purpose.

Eventually, the mild February desert evening beckoned everyone away from the restaurant, but the spirit of the gathering – honoring leadership, legacy, and friendship – will linger long after the conference has concluded.

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT

Raising a Glass to Those Who Raise Their Hands

Erika Gomez & Will Fuentes, Communications Committee Vice Chair & President-Elect

Set against majestic mountain views and a vibrant desert sunset by the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel pool, CSMFO hosted its inaugural Volunteer Recognition Event to honor the 160 volunteers serving across 11 committees and 20 chapters, as well as those supporting conference sessions, events, planning, and smooth operations throughout the year. The event recognized the government members and commercial partners whose year-round efforts power the organization. This was more than a reception—it was a moment of intentional appreciation.

Volunteers received limited-edition commemorative pins—a small token, but a symbolic reminder that volunteer service deserves to be seen. The atmosphere balanced gratitude with celebration. Glowing fairy headbands dotted the crowd, and champagne was served by waitstaff as colleagues gathered over charcuterie. An open bar encouraged conversation and connection before the energy of the Thursday Night Fund Fest began. Official conference photographer Tim Przybyla captured candid moments that reflected both joy and pride.

The true highlight of the evening came from CSMFO’s leadership. President Stephen Parker opened the event by acknowledging the extraordinary commitment volunteers make on top of demanding careers and full personal lives. Volunteering is meaningful work, and it is not easy work. His message was clear: the organization runs because its members choose to serve.

Past President Jennifer Wakeman followed with deeply personal reflections about what CSMFO has given her. She spoke about growth, connection, and the sense of belonging that makes even the stress of public speaking worthwhile. She described CSMFO as the best kind of second family, built on shared service and mutual support. She also recognized the balancing act volunteers manage every day and emphasized that what they contribute is seen, valued, and impactful. Her message resonated throughout the evening: the work we do here matters.

Stephen later returned to the microphone and reflected on the scale of volunteer efforts behind the scenes. Last year, every objective requested by the Board under the Strategic Plan was completed. His challenge for year two? Let’s do twice as many. His confidence in our members and volunteers was unmistakable. We have not reached the limit of what is possible when we work together.

As remarks concluded, volunteers were encouraged to speak with someone they hadn’t yet met, reconnect with longtime colleagues, and enjoy the evening they had earned. The celebration flowed seamlessly into the Thursday Night Fund Fest, carrying forward the energy of appreciation and ambition.

If you were inspired by the recognition of your peers, or if you are looking to grow your own connection within CSMFO, now is the time to get involved. CSMFO offers multiple pathways to volunteer, including committee participation; chapter support and leadership; budget and ACFR award review; and conference planning initiatives. Whether you can commit year-round or prefer to assist at a single chapter meeting, there is a place for you.

Interested in volunteering? Scan the QR code to complete the Volunteer Interest Form and explore opportunities.

Saying yes is how this organization grows. It’s how leaders are developed. It’s how strategic goals are achieved. Palm Springs reminded us that the strength of CSMFO lies in its volunteers. The recognition event may have been the first of its kind, but the invitation to serve continues.

THURSDAY

NIGHT EVENT

Fund Fest: A Municipal Finance Take on Coachella

Heidi Schoeppe & Jennifer Becker, Communications Committee Chair & Director

By Thursday evening, the CSMFO Annual Conference is typically in full swing. Attendees have spent the first part of the week diving into sessions, exchanging ideas with colleagues, exploring the exhibit hall, and soaking up insights from speakers. But seasoned conference-goers know that when Thursday night arrives, it’s time for one of the most anticipated traditions of the entire event. And once again, CSMFO members proved that when public finance professionals gather after hours, the result is anything but ordinary.

This year’s Thursday night celebration, Fund Fest, paid playful tribute to the legendary Coachella music festival. While the event didn’t quite replicate the desert dust and festival crowds of Indio, the theme was clearly evident upon arrival. Some attendees fully embraced the festival spirit with themed outfits and fun accessories, while others maintained their usual business casual style. Either way, the vibe was unmistakably festive as municipal finance officers and consultants gathered to relax, reconnect, and enjoy a lively evening together.

The event featured a food-truck-inspired spread of bite-sized favorites, perfect for grazing while mingling. Guests moved easily from one conversation to the next while sampling a variety of casual fare, creating the relaxed feel of a festival food court—only with fewer lines and far better networking opportunities. Nearby, bartenders kept the evening festive with flowing beverages, ensuring that glasses—and conversations—never stayed empty for long. Throughout the space, colleagues caught up with familiar faces, shared stories from the week’s sessions, and welcomed new members into the ever-growing municipal finance community.

The focal point of the event space was a giant multicolored LED swing set that greeted attendees as they entered the main hall. Guests were tempted to take a turn on the swings while others were entertained by the glowing cornhole games nearby. But of course, the crowd favorite throughout the night was the photo booth, where attendees stepped into a variety of fun and entertaining scenes designed to capture the playful spirit of Fund Fest. Groups gathered to strike poses, laugh

through multiple takes, and leave with photo memories that will likely resurface in offices across the state in the weeks to come.

Of course, a festival theme wouldn’t be complete without music. Inside the main hall, DJ Alf Alpha spun a wide range of tunes – from classic rock to hip hop to latin pop – all from the top of a vintage VW bus, while party goers packed the light-up dance floor below. A live saxophonist enhanced the music and added to the overall vibe, mingling with guests as they showed off their best dance moves.

Out in the lobby area, the stage quickly became the focal point of the evening as guests took turns stepping up for karaoke, performing everything from classic sing-alongs to modern hits. Some singers impressed the crowd with surprisingly strong vocals, while others leaned into the fun of the moment, drawing enthusiastic cheers and laughter from their colleagues.

As the night continued, the energy in the room only grew. Attendees gathered around the stage, clapping along and encouraging the next brave performer to grab the microphone. For a group of professionals who spend much of their time focused on budgets and financial reports, the opportunity to let loose and celebrate together was clearly well appreciated.

By the time the final karaoke songs wrapped up, Fund Fest had once again proven why the Thursday night event is such a beloved conference tradition. Guests slowly made their way out, already sharing their favorite moments from the evening and looking ahead to the final day of the conference.

Because while the CSMFO conference may be built around professional development, Thursday night reminds us that even in the world of municipal finance, there’s always room for a little festival fun.

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SCHOLARSHIPS, FIRST TIME ATTENDEE & STUDENT RECAP

First-Time Attendees Connect, Learn, and Build Community at the CSMFO Conference

Trevor Mael, Communications Committee Member

Each year, the CSMFO Annual Conference brings together public finance professionals from across California to share ideas, build connections, and learn from one another. For first-time attendees and scholarship recipients, the conference represents more than just a series of training sessions—it is an opportunity to engage with a community of experienced professionals, gain practical insight from peers, and begin building the relationships that support long-term careers in public finance.

During the First-Time Attendee session, Scott Michael Meyer-Mina, Accounting & Payroll Supervisor with Fresno Irrigation District, emphasized the importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing within the profession. As many experienced public sector professionals approach retirement, Meyer-Mina noted that preserving institutional knowledge is becoming increasingly important.

While technical skills can be taught through training and education, Meyer-Mina explained that the deeper value of professional relationships comes from learning through the experiences of others.

“Anyone can teach you that two plus two equals four,” Meyer-Mina shared. “But the value of experience is when someone can tell you, ‘We tried that approach before, and here’s why it didn’t work.’”

He encouraged first-time attendees to take advantage of the conference by connecting with more experienced members and learning from the practical insights they have gained throughout their careers.

For many attendees, the conference offers an opportunity to expand their networks and learn new approaches to the challenges they face within their organizations.

Claudia Chavez of the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District shared that she is looking forward to connecting with peers in similar roles.

“What I’m looking forward to is networking with other wastewater districts. I’m hoping to connect with other individuals and learn new processes as well,” Chavez said.

Nathan Bassett from the Town of Colma noted that working in a smaller organization presents unique opportunities and challenges, and the conference provides a chance to gather new ideas and resources.

“I’m in a very small organization that’s like 40 FTE,” Bassett said. “I’m hoping to round out and get some more information, particularly about online procurement.”

Another first-time attendee shared an interest in learning more about improving internal processes and modernizing systems within their organization.

“I’m really interested in learning about process improvement and automation. My organization was very antiquated before I started. We just started electronic timecards three years ago, so I’m trying to bring them to the present. I’m looking forward to learning about that at CSMFO.”

The First-Time Attendee session serves as an important introduction to the broader CSMFO community. By creating opportunities for new members to connect with experienced professionals and learn from their collective experiences, the session helps ensure that valuable institutional knowledge continues to be shared across the profession. As the public finance workforce evolves and new professionals step into leadership roles, these connections play a critical role in strengthening the profession and maintaining the collaborative spirit that has long defined CSMFO.

We

Not

EXHIBIT HALL & THANK YOU SPONSORS

Neil Murthy, Communications Committee Member

The Exhibit Hall at the 2026 conference was alive with energy. The hall’s layout, and conference scheduling, once again created tremendous foot traffic, ensuring that attendees and exhibitors alike had ample opportunity to connect, converse, and explore new partnerships. The thoughtful planning of breaks, desserts, and everyone’s favorite draw, coffee, made sure that there was not a bad spot in the hall. The exhibit hall game encouraged attendees to seek out supporting sponsors and engage with vendors.

This year’s Exhibit Hall was our biggest yet, welcoming 120 sponsors and exhibitors across all levels: 3 Oasis, 10 Diamond, 27 Sapphire, 57 Gold, and 23 Silver sponsors. Notably, 21 first-time sponsors joined us this year — 10 at the tabletop level and 11 with booths — bringing fresh perspectives and new solutions to the CSMFO community. The conference would not be possible without the generous support of our exhibit hall sponsors.

Beyond the numbers, the Exhibit Hall isn’t really about who has the best giveaways; it’s about creating meaningful connections, growing relationships, and enriching friendships. Conversations about partnerships, budgets, and projects often transition to discussions about a bucket list vacation, the newest member of the family (always baby photos!), or a recent promotion. A big shout out to the CSMFO community for embracing commercial member partnership throughout its conference and organizational planning process.

We appreciate the CSMFO host committee for all the hard work that goes into planning this event. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of our sponsors and exhibitors. Your commitment to CSMFO makes the Exhibit Hall what it is. We also thank the attendees for taking the time to stop by our booths. The desert sun may have been warm, but the conversations inside were warmer. See you at the 2027 CSMFO Annual Conference in Sacramento!

OUT OF STATE ATTENDEES/ VIPS

Take a Selfie and Say “Cheese” with a VIP, a VIP!

Wing-See Fox, Communications Committee Member

Bad Bunny isn’t the only one hanging in the VIP section taking selfies! This year, CSMFO once again welcomed VIP leaders from California Municipal Treasurers Association (CMTA), Government Finance Officers of America (GFOA), and West Coast Alliance outof-state finance associations to join as special guests at the 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference.

CSMFO has made it a priority to strengthen mutual learning, pooling of resources, and strategic partnerships with these distinguished associations and looks forward to hosting their leaders at the conference each year. VIP attendees included: Nadia Feeser, President of CMTA; Grace Martinez, President-Elect of GFOA; Chris Morrill, Executive Director of GFOA; Mickie Cooper, President of Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA); Gloria Butsch, Past President of Oregon Municipal Finance Officers Association (OMFOA); and Jordan Nelson, President-Elect of the Alaska Government Finance Officers Association (AGFOA).

And of course, where there are VIPs, there is security detail— or security detail “adjacent”, otherwise known as liaisons that were comprised of CSMFO leadership assigned to each VIP. Jennifer Wakeman, Past President; Jennifer Becker, Board Member; Amber Johnson, Board Member; Debbie Rosales, Board Member; and Michael O’Brien, Chapter Chair, all served as liaisons this year, sitting with their assigned VIPs at designated lunch tables and being a valued resource throughout the conference.

In addition to attending the keynote speaker and breakout sessions throughout the conference, the VIPs were extended invitations to CSMFO’s inaugural Volunteer Recognition Event at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel Pool. They were able to toast and connect with committed volunteers in recognition of their commitment and lasting impact on CSMFO. After prepartying at this event, VIPs carried the celebrations into the Thursday Night Event Fund Fest!

CSMFO presidents throughout the years have highlighted their wonderful experiences traveling to partner association conferences, and it appears the VIPs were equally as excited

to attend this year’s CSMFO Conference in Palm Springs. Red carpet sound bites from the VIPs are captured below:

“The 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference was an outstanding opportunity to connect with dedicated public finance professionals, exchange ideas, and learn from peers tackling many of the same challenges facing governments today. Events like this strengthen our profession by encouraging collaboration and the sharing of best practices. I hope many of you will continue the conversation and join us at the end of June at GFOA’s 120th Annual Conference in Chicago as we work together to advance excellence in public finance. GO CHICAGO!”—Grace Martinez, President-Elect, GFOA.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the CSMFO conference. The sessions I attended were engaging and informative, and I loved meeting so many new people and hearing their perspectives. The opening speaker was fabulous and incredibly moving— she had me in tears several times. I also had a lot of fun at the Thursday Fund Fest and appreciated that there were a variety of activities spread out, along with many great food options.”—Mickie Cooper, President, WFOA.

“Thank you CSFMO for graciously hosting me as a visiting representative from Oregon and a member of the West Coast Alliance. Your conference is so well organized, and I really appreciated the variety of session options. Remember that as a member of the West Coast Alliance, you have the opportunity to attend Oregon’s conferences and webinars at member rates, expanding your training opportunities!”— Gloria Butsch, Past President, OMFOA.

“As President of the California Municipal Treasurers Association, attending the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers conference as a VIP was a wonderful experience. The extra touches—like the leadership “Know Before You Go” guide, a designated table, and a CSMFO liaison—made it easy to get the most out of the conference. Most of all, I enjoyed connecting with peers from across California, learning from each other, and spending time networking and laughing together. To build on that momentum, CMTA has invited CSMFO President Stephen Parker to attend the CMTA Conference at Disneyland from April 28 to May 1!”—Nadia Feeser, President, CMTA.

Exploring Our Landscape, One Chapter at a Time CHAPTER EXPERIENCE

Tori Roberts, Communications Committee Member

The 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference in Palm Springs brought together public finance professionals from across the state, but for many attendees, the experience was shaped most clearly through their chapters.

From the moment participants arrived at the Renaissance, those connections were already evident. Familiar faces were easy to spot, introductions happened naturally, and new attendees were quickly welcomed into conversations that felt both established and inclusive. In what could otherwise feel like a large and busy conference environment, chapters provided an immediate sense of place.

That sense of connection carried throughout the week. Conversations that began in sessions continued in hallways, between meetings, and around shared tables. Colleagues from the same regions gravitated toward one another while also expanding their networks across chapters, creating a balance between familiarity and new engagement. What might have felt overwhelming instead became accessible, grounded by those chapter relationships.

As the conference progressed, these connections deepened in meaningful ways. Chapter leaders took the opportunity to exchange ideas on programming, member engagement, and the evolving needs of their regions, while members discussed shared challenges and compared insights from sessions. For newer attendees in particular, chapters offered a natural entry point into the broader CSMFO community, turning initial introductions into ongoing dialogue.

By Friday morning, that momentum came into clear focus at the annual Chapter Breakfast. The room filled quickly with a mix of longtime members and first-time attendees, creating an environment that encouraged both reconnection and new relationships. Conversations moved easily from introductions to shared experiences, from reflections on sessions to ideas for future chapter events and collaboration.

More than simply a well-attended gathering, the breakfast served as a meaningful working moment for the organization.

Chapter leaders discussed upcoming programming and opportunities to strengthen engagement, while members identified ways to remain connected beyond the conference. New participants left with a clearer understanding of how to get involved at the local level, reinforcing the role chapters play as the foundation of the organization.

Taken together, these moments defined the chapter experience in Palm Springs. Rather than being centered on a single event, the chapter experience was reflected in a continuous thread of connection that ran throughout the conference. Chapters provided the structure that made a large event feel manageable, as well as the relationships that made it genuinely meaningful.

That sense of connection does not end when the conference concludes. It continues throughout the year at chapter meetings, trainings, and other events, where ideas are revisited, relationships are strengthened, and members find ongoing support in a constantly evolving profession.

The takeaway from Palm Springs is clear: the strength of CSMFO is built at the chapter level. Staying engaged, attending chapter meetings, and participating in chapter activities ensures that the value of the conference extends well beyond a single week each year.

We were glad to see you in Palm Springs and look forward to connecting again at your next chapter event, and in Sacramento in 2027.

14 Years of Friendly Competition and Community

Oracle is a proud sponsor of the CSMFO Pickleball & Tennis Mixer, honoring 14 years of friendly competition, lasting connections, and the community that makes it possible.

Thank you to all past and present participants and champions, with special recognition to Lily Ng (BMO) for leading this event for 14 incredible years.

MOBILE PHONE PHOTO

GALLERY

Say “Cheese!”

Use the CSMFO to see all mobile phone photos:

CONFERENCE METRICS “BY THE NUMBERS”

CSMFO Staff

The California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) 2026 Annual Conference was a highly attended and well-received event, demonstrating strong engagement and enthusiasm from municipal finance professionals across the state. With an impressive turnout, high participation in pre-conference sessions and networking events, this year’s conference showcased the growing impact of CSMFO.

Conference Engagement at a Glance:

• Exhibit Hall: 121 organizations showcased their services and innovations, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities.

• Recreational Events: 42 attendees participated in the pickleball tournament, while 123 hit the greens for the golf outing.

• Pre-Sessions: 217 registrants signed up for educational pre-sessions, reinforcing the demand for professional development.

• Check-In Rate: With an outstanding 95.7% checkin rate, 1,849 of the 1,932 registrants attended the conference.

Session Engagement and Certification Requirements

CPA’s were offered 29% of their biennial credit requirements in one conference and CPFO’s were offered more than a full year of credit requirements in one conference

• Credit hours offered: 17.5

• Pre-conference credit hours offered: 6.0

• Total number of credit hours offered in 3.5 days: 23.5

• Average amount of credit hours earned: 8.2

• Total credit hours awarded: 15,215.5

Attendee Engagement:

• Membership Interest: 84 members joined or renewed membership with the organization during the conference.

• Conference App Downloads: 1,623 attendees downloaded the conference app, further demonstrating the value of digital resources.

• Schedule Session Views: Matching overall app engagement, 82,488 schedule session views were tracked, reinforcing how attendees relied on the app to navigate the event.

The 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference set a new benchmark for attendee engagement. With robust participation across sessions, events, and networking opportunities, CSMFO continues to foster a thriving community of municipal finance professionals. As the organization looks ahead to future conferences, these numbers reaffirm the value of inperson collaboration, professional development, and digital connectivity in the evolving landscape of municipal finance.

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS -

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Jennifer Fillinger, Communications Committee Vice Chair

As attendees gathered in Palm Springs for the 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference, the concurrent sessions once again served as the heart of the conference’s educational programming. Designed to provide practical insights, emerging ideas, and opportunities for collaboration, the sessions reflected the wide-ranging expertise of CSMFO members and partners across the public finance profession.

Planning for the conference sessions began nearly a year in advance. During that time, the Conference Program Committee received an impressive 127 session proposals from across the public finance community. From these submissions, the committee had the difficult task of selecting 54 concurrent sessions to be included in the final program. The Committee aims to select sessions that cover a wide range of topics, including accounting and auditing, financial planning, budgeting, debt and treasury, leadership, and technology.

This year’s concurrent sessions featured 142 unique speakers, and the lineup reflected the collaborative nature of CSMFO by bringing together professionals from both the public and private sectors. Eighty-seven speakers represented government agencies, sharing their firsthand experience and lessons learned from managing the complex financial operations of local governments and special districts. They were joined by 55 speakers from commercial organizations, who provided technical expertise, industry insights, and innovative tools that support the work of public finance professionals. Attendees also benefited from sessions led by partner organizations and subject matter experts from GASB, GFOA, and CalPERS addressing key statewide topics.

The concurrent session program was designed to help attendees explore today’s evolving financial landscape. With multiple sessions offered during each time block across three days, participants had the opportunity to tailor their conference experience to their professional interests and career stage. Sessions were also conveniently classified by continuing professional education (CPE) category, helping licensed professionals easily identify applicable credit areas.

Accounting topics such as the GASB update, capital assets, payroll, and audit continue to be popular conference staples, with presenters offering their unique real-world perspectives.

Sessions were also offered on communicating effectively with unions, human resources, the public, and elected officials. Budgeting, debt and investment management, forecasting, and risk management sessions were available for those seeking deeper exploration of specialized topics, with valuable insight from both peers and vendor experts.

Technology and innovation also remained areas of strong interest. Sessions covered not only ERP systems, but also artificial intelligence, automation, and dashboard development, using case studies from agencies implementing tools and approaches to operate more efficiently in an increasingly digital environment. Additional sessions focused on leadership, mentorship, public speaking, and networking, helping finance professionals grow and develop throughout their careers. For those looking to strengthen their interview skills, advanced registration allowed a select number of attendees the opportunity to participate in a mock interview and receive valuable feedback.

The concurrent sessions exemplified one of CSMFO’s greatest strengths: the willingness of members to share their experiences and expertise with one another. Whether presenters were discussing lessons learned from implementing new financial systems, strategies for long-term financial planning, or approaches to building strong finance teams, the sessions created valuable opportunities for peer learning and professional growth.

Missed a session or need to revisit what you heard? Presentation materials are available through the conference app and on the CSMFO website at https://csmfo.org/ page/conference-presentations.

CONFERENCE TESTIMONIALS/

FAVORITE EVENTS/SESSIONS

Travis Hickey, Communications Committee Member

The 2026 CSMFO Annual Conference most certainly fulfilled its promise to “Explore Our Financial Landscape,” leaving a lasting impression on over 1900 attendees, who returned home from Palm Springs with meaningful learning, valuable connections, fresh inspiration, and a whole lot of fun. But you don’t need to take my word for it—read on for some inspiring testimonials from this year’s conference attendees.

“The ‘Let’s Avoid Common Errors Seen in GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement Program’ session was great; Michele is a fantastic presenter! The Thursday night event was a huge hit with karaoke—our team had a great time belting it out and providing backup dancing for the singers.”

— Evelyn Morentin-Barcena, CPA, Manager, RAMS Certified Public Accountants

“Attending the CSMFO Conference in Palm Springs was a great experience. The Palm Springs Convention Center was a great choice—well organized and perfectly suited for an event of this size. The sessions were highly valuable, especially my two favorites: ‘From Compliance to Clarity: A Dual Perspective for Capital Assets’ and ‘From Data Dump to Digestible: Making Information Clear for Councils and the Public.’ Both sessions provided valuable insights related to proper financial reporting and effective, transparent communication.

The Thursday evening event was very well organized and enjoyable. I liked the variety of fun activities and the great selection of food and beverages. The networking throughout the conference was outstanding and provided a great opportunity to connect with finance professionals across the state, where best practices could be shared. Overall, it was a well-executed and rewarding professional experience, and I would definitely be interested in future CSMFO Annual Conferences.”

— Amir Zaki, Finance Manager, City of Menifee

“My favorite aspect was a hard pick, as I enjoy all parts of the conference. If forced to choose only one, I’d have to say the Thursday night event—especially the karaoke. We have some talented singers at CSMFO!”

— Raymond Beeman, Director of Administrative Services, City of Gardena

“It’s always nice to connect with colleagues, friends, and former clients. The CSMFO conference has always been a great source of information, inspiration, and reconnection. I would say what I enjoyed most is, of course, the people and meeting up with friends, but I would also say that I really enjoyed the inspiring story and presentation by Melissa Stockwell. It was both inspiring and grounding.”

— Diana Acosta, Chief Financial Officer, Tri-City Mental Health

“I had a great time at CSMFO 2026 connecting and reconnecting with colleagues in a more relaxed setting away from work. I also enjoyed attending the sessions; the venue was very nice, with the convenience of having all the classrooms close to each other and the availability of different seating areas. I especially enjoyed the sessions ‘Balancing Rates with Sustainable Infrastructure Investment’ and ‘Modernizing Your Capitalization Policy.’”

— Teresa Velarde, CGAP, MPA, Manager of Internal Audit, Inland Empire Utilities Agency

“I think the conference overall was wonderful. The networking was amazing, as always, and there were several vendors in the exhibit hall, which was also great. My favorite session was ‘How to Talk So Your Electeds Will Listen.’ I think that session provided practical tips on improving the presentation of financial data to City Councils and Boards. The panel was both very entertaining and walked us through some excellent examples.”

— Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance, City of Commerce

CSMFO is grateful to these members for taking the time to share their impressions of this year’s conference. We hope this inspires you to share your own experiences with colleagues and to plan for staff from your agency to attend as you develop your training budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.

I can assure you—CSMFO 2027 in Sacramento is an event you won’t want to miss!

TECHNOLOGY MOBILE APP

Download the Conference Presentations on CSMFOs Mobile App!

How to Download the Presentations:

Open the CSMFO Conference App and tap the three lines in the upper left corner. In the side menu, select “Schedule,” then find and tap the presentation you would like to download. Scroll down to the PDFs section, then tap the presentation file for that session to view or download it to your phone.

Explore Your Financial Future

Since 1989, we’ve helped California municipalities

CAMP® is a registered trademark and the CAMP logos and designs are trademarks owned by the California Asset Management Trust (Trust). This information is for institutional investor use only, not for further distribution to retail investors, and does not represent an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any fund or other security. Investors should consider the Trust’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Trust. This and other information about the Trust is available in the Trust’s current Information Statement, which should be read carefully before investing. A copy of the Trust’s Information Statement may be obtained by calling 1-800-729-7665 or is available on the Trust’s website at www.camponline.com. While the Cash Reserve Portfolio seeks to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share and the CAMP Term Portfolio seeks to achieve a net asset value of $1.00 per share at the stated maturity, it is possible to lose money investing in the Trust. An investment in the Trust is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Shares of the Trust are distributed by U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., member FINRA (www.finra.org) and SIPC (www.sipc.org). PFM Asset Management is a division of U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc., which serves as administrator and investment adviser to the Trust. U.S. Bancorp Asset Management, Inc. is a direct subsidiary of U.S. Bank N.A. and an indirect subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. is a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and affiliate of U.S. Bank N.A.

Sponsors

Beacon Bid

Berry Dunn

Best Best & Krieger

BLX Group, LLC

California Municipal Finance Authority

Can/Am Teller Cashiering

Caselle

Columbia Bank

Computershare Corporate Trust Services

CORE Business Technologies

Davis Farr

DebtBook

DTA Municipal Solutions

Eadie & Payne CPA’s LLC

Eide Bailly LLP

Euna Solutions

Five Star Bank

Fieldman Rolapp & Associates

Aclarian

Arbitrage Compliance Specialists, Inc.

Bank of America

CalPERS

California Special Districts Alliance

Edwin Empower

Gold Sponsors

FinQuery

Forvis Mazars

Foster & Foster Consulting Actuaries

Gravity

GrayLopez Strategic Solutions, LLC

Holman Capital Corporation

IBank

InfoSend, Inc.

Jones Hall

Kirsch & Company

KNN Public Finance LLP

Kosmont Financial Services

Matrix Consulting Group

Maximus

Mechanics Bank

Meeder Public Funds, Inc.

Multi-Bank Securities

Nationwide

Silver Sponsors

Granicus

i3 Verticals

ImageMaster

Insight Investment

KeyAnalytics

Koa Hills Consulting

Merchant Cost Consulting

Neumo

PARS

Plante Moran

Price Paige & Company

Ramirez & Co

Rael & Letson

Revenue & Cost Specialists

SDI Presence

Springbook Software

Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth

TrueComp

VIA Actuarial Solutions

Weaver

Webb Municipal Finance

Willdan

Xerox

Xpress Bill Pay

Zions Bank Corporate Trust

Municipal Finance Corporation

Nicolay Consulting Group

PayIt

ScholarShare 529 Workplace Savings Program

System Innovators

The Baldwin Group

Time Value Investments, Inc

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!