Voting for the 2021 Board of Directors Election is now open! Please cast your vote for one candidate each for President-Elect; Board Member – North; and Board Member – South. Voting closes December 18, 2020.
Bylaw changes approved by the membership earlier this year included, among other modifications, that the nominating committee shall develop a slate consisting of at least one (1) candidate for northern California board members, one (1) candidate for southern California board member and one (1) candidate for president-elect. The nominating committee has opted to put forth a single slate of candidates for your consideration. Also please note that now all members in good standing, regardless of member type, may vote.
Nominee for President-Elect
(Southern California)
Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO
I believe that CSMFO is doing better than ever in 2020. We have had amazing attendance and speakers at our Annual Conference in 2020, a record number of webinars this year, and a continued expansion of our core course program in recent years that is providing a variety of useful trainings to member throughout the State. Our Chapters are strong, and new leaders are emerging to take the organization into the next decade. In the latter part of 2020, the pandemic has presented challenges, but CSMFO has adapted with training shifting online, webinars taking on a greater role, and virtual chapter meetings successfully held in a number of chapters. I am thankful for having participated in the leadership of this great organization for the past 10 years as a chapter chair, committee chair, and board member from the south, working alongside a diverse and energized group of volunteer leaders from across our state.
In the years ahead, I see CSMFO continuing to grow its membership benefits and number of members, while making strategic adjustments to account for that growth. Growth is a good thing, but we must ensure that our growth is well-planned and that we add the programs and benefits that our members most want to see. Most importantly, we must continue to focus on our core mission – training – and listen to our members to add additional training resources that they find to be of the most value. I also see providing additional resources for newer members to connect them with mentors and partnering with GFOA in their roll-out of an enhanced CPFO program as important goals in the years ahead, along with a continued focus on CSMFO’s expanding online resources to provide members with more easily-accessible tools such as sample policies, RFPs, and reports.
CSMFO is positioned well for the decade ahead. I look forward to being one piece of the leadership puzzle that will turn our collective goals for this great organization into reality.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Management and Finance – Tulane University
- Master of Public Administration – CSU San Bernardino
Professional Experience
Financial Consultant to Cities, States, and Commercial Airports – 2000-2006
Principal Management Analyst, City of Riverside – 2006-2008
Budget and Debt Manager, City of Riverside – 2008-2010
Assistant Finance Director, City of Riverside – 2010-2016
Finance Director / City Treasurer, City of Yorba Linda – 2016-Present
http://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcatlett
CSMFO Involvement
- Member since 2006
- Inland Empire Chapter Chair – 2012
- Professional Standards & Recognition Committee Chair – 2012-2013
- Career Development Committee Chair – 2013-2017
- Annual Conference Host Committee Member – 2016
- Board Member, South – 2017-2020
- Annual Conference Host Committee Member – 2018
- Program Committee Member – 2017-2020
- Administration Committee Chair – 2020
- Career Development Committee Vice Chair – 2020
Other Professional Affiliations
- GFOA Member since 2006
- CMTA Member since 2010
Nominee for Board
(Northern California)
Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO
I appreciate the opportunity to be a candidate for this year’s Board of Directors. My goals are to support programs that provide professional development and networking opportunities for members. I want to continue to broaden the membership base and facilitate strong working relationships among existing members.
CSMFO can broaden its membership base by reaching out to groups who have not regularly participated in CSMFO. As the chair of the Student Engagement Committee, I was able to increase student participation in CSMFO this year by recruiting a dozen student members to the committee. Student members have participated in student outreach events, developed programs to network with colleges, and contributed to the committee handbook.
I can draw on my experience as Recognition Committee Chair to help broaden membership and facilitate networking. I automated the award programs by introducing new award management software. If elected, I will continue to seek opportunities to use technology to increase member participation.
Thanks for considering me as your board candidate for 2021. Please vote so CSMFO can continue to have Board members who help to achieve its mission to be the preeminent resource for promoting excellence in government finance!
Education
- B.A. Economics and Political Science, UCLA
- M.A. Political Science, UCSB
- Certified Public Accountant since 2004
Professional Experience
- County of Alameda – General Accounting Assistant Controller and Internal Audit Division Chief – 4 years
- Transbay Joint Powers Authority – Finance Manager – 3 years
- City of Oakland – Deputy City Auditor – 1 year
- Over 11 years in public accounting with MGO and BPM serving primarily local governments
CSMFO Involvement
- Joined CSMFO as a commercial member in 2011
- Converted from a commercial member to a municipal member in 2012
- Joined the Professional Standards and Recognition Committee in 2013
- Became Vice Chair of the Professional Standards and Recognition Committee in 2014
- Became Chair of the Professional Standards and Recognition Committee in 2016
- Presented CSMFO award winners and Innovation Award plaques at the Annual Conference from 2015 to 2018
- Became Vice Chair of the East Bay Chapter in 2018
- Became Chair of the Student Engagement Committee in 2020
Other Professional Affiliations
- GFOA member
- AICPA member
Nominee for Board
(Southern California)
Statement of Ideas and Goals for CSMFO
Continuing to support our CSMFO Committees and Chapters will always be a priority and passion for me. I appreciate that these experiences are usually a new member’s first interactions with and impressions of CSMFO. I shall continue to share my knowledge, promote and empower others, while also listening to our members and being open to change in order to engage the next generation of local government, special district, and vendor members.
We cannot rest on our many great accomplishments. Continuous improvements and asking why, what can we do better, how can we help, are common questions revolving in my thoughts. Together we can sustain CSMFO as a leader in the professional government finance education and professional development arena and strengthen our membership.
Lastly, I enjoy seeing others succeed and know CSMFO will propel anyone’s career by providing the needed training, support, and lifetime mentors. I look forward to meeting more members in the coming years as we continue our evolving journey’s together in government finance.
Education
- Karla has earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration and has over 20 years of progressive private and public finance experience.
Professional Experience
Since 2016 Karla serves the City of La Quinta as the Finance Director/City Treasurer but her government career and involvement in CSMFO began while working at the City of Indio from 2007 to 2016. She seemed to always be on probation as she moved up the ranks from an Accounts Receivable Technician to the Interim Finance Manager; having worked in both the Finance Department and Water Authority, which allowed for a variety of experiences and challenges. Before government she worked for a general contractor, was a mortgage agent, organized nationwide conferences, was a K-12 tutor, and even threw the newspaper.
CSMFO Involvement
Karla is currently CSMFO’s Communications Committee Chair and has been on the Committee since 2017. Karla was also CSMFO’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year, Coachella Valley’s Chapter Chair from 2016 to 2019, has served on a conference host committee, a board nomination committee, several sub-committees when called up, and has been a presenter at conferences and a CSMFO webinar. She is a a proud CSMFO member since 2007.
Other Professional Affiliations
Karla is also a member of GFOA and CMTA.