Government Finance Off icers Associa tion of A labama

FROM TH E PR ESI D EN T… I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

GFOAA 36th Annual Conference and Training Seminar

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Past Presidents at GFOAA 36th Annual Conference GFOAA Scholarship Recipients

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Upcoming Events In Memory Charles W. Clack Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

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Board of Directors and Officers

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Committee Chairpersons

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$$ MONEY TALK $$ The Alabama Journal of Government Finance

Volume XX Issue I Spring 2020

Our world has been rocked a bit (okay, a lot) these first few months of

2020. All that we know as normal is suddenly different. Sheltering at home and

social distancing were unfamiliar expressions for most of us. We have been

pushed beyond our comfort zones and have adapted to the way our lives have

changed. Change can be scary, but change can also be good. Suddenly, we

have a new normal. Many of us travel no further than our dining room table to

meet with colleagues; parents are home schooling children; families are playing

board games, going for walks, or learning to ride bikes TOGETHER. Change can

be good!

Even as we spend more time with our immediate families, we are missing

our work and extended families. Life has been tough as we long for a hug from

a grandchild or parent. Weddings, vacations, parties, and even funerals have

been postponed. Our calendars no longer reflect life as we had planned.

The same is true for our GFOAA calendar. The organization continues to offer

learning opportunities; GFOA National Conference will be held virtually and CGAT

classes are being taught online. The Professional Development Committee con-

tinues to plan for the CGAT summer conference and the Conference and Train-

ing at the beach in August; however, the way those events will be conducted is

uncertain at this time. Stay tuned for updates.

I am thankful to be a part of an organization that values people and rela-

tionships. We may not physically be together but we can count on each other in

difficult times. A wealth of knowledge lies in our GFOAA

members. Please do not hesitate to reach out to fellow

members for help. Chances are someone has already

tackled the roadblock you are currently facing.

The future of GFOAA continues to be bright!

Together we will get through this. I am honored to serve

you, GFOAA members. Please let me or another Board member know if you are

interested in serving. Stay safe and well. See you soon!

Kathy

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GFOAA 36T H AN N UA L CO N F E R E N C E A N D TR A I N I N G SE M I N A R

The GFOAA Winter Conference and Training was held at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel in

downtown Mobile on February 18-20, 2020. There were 108 conference attendees, 14 guests, and 28

sponsors.

Sessions began on Tuesday afternoon with Warren Averett speaking on the topic of Why

Cyber Security Matters to Accountants. Brian Harris, Himmelwright, Huguley & Boles, LLC spoke on

Internal Controls. Greg Blake from BB&T Capital Investments ended the day with Municipal

Investments. A welcome reception was held that evening at the hotel with music provided by

Demetrius Martin.

Wednesday’s session began with opening remarks from Mayor Sandy Stimpson. The Keynote

Address was given by Steve Gibson, GFOA Past President on Ethics and the GFOA Revised Code of

Ethics. Various topics were presented throughout the day ranging from topics on Personal Branding

in the Workplace, by Charles Baughman, ITAC Solutions; Lee Garrison, Frazier Lanier spoke on

Continuing Disclosures—Best Practices; Tim Quinlan, Wells Fargo Economic Update, and Dan Sigmon,

FBI/Mobile Office on Public Corruption. Dinner was held in the Bon Secour Bay along with

entertainment provided by The Fifth K’nection Jazz Band.

On Friday morning, we heard from Marcus Castro BBVA on Payables for Municipalities, The

Honorable Bess M. Parrish Creswell, United States Bankruptcy Judge Middle District of Alabama on

Bankruptcy Basics and the Impact on Local Communities, and Leavie D. King, III M.S. CEO CoachedUP

on Me, Myself and Us. The conference ended at noon.

Candace Moore

Director, GFOAA

2020 Annual Conference Sponsors…

Platinum Sponsors: BBVA Compass, Regions Bank Corporate Trust

Gold Sponsor: PFM Financial Advisors LLC

Silver Sponsors: BMSS LLC, BNY Mellon, ENCO Utility Services Florida LLC,

The Frazier Lanier Company, J. P. Morgan, LeaseQuery, Mauldin & Jenkins, PNC Bank, Point and Pay,

Reliant Investment Management LLC, S&P Global Ratings, BB&T/Suntrust Now Truist, Synovus Bank,

Tyler Technologies Inc., U.S. Bank, Warren Averett, Wells Fargo

Bronze Sponsors: American Data Group Inc., Andrews Technology BB&T Capital Markets.

BS&A Software, CentralSquare

General Sponsor: Wilmington Trust

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G FOA A P A S T P R E S I D E N T S AT T E N D I N G T H E 3 6 T H A N N UA L C O N F E R E N C E

CO N G RATUL ATIO N S TO GFOAA SC HO LAR SH IP REC I P I EN TS

GFOAA has awarded the Patrick W Kelly scholarship to two worthy applicants, Emily Willeford, and Tommie

Johnson. Emily is a Junior at Troy University majoring in accounting. She works part time while pursuing her

degree, and hopes to graduate from college with no student debt. Tommie is pursuing a Masters of Accountancy

degree at Auburn University Montgomery. Tommie is currently working as an intern with the Alabama Department

of Revenue and will continue her internship program with KPMG in Washington, DC. Her goals include sitting for

the CPA exam and pursuing a career in government finance. Congratulations Emily and Tommie!

Pictured:

Melinda James Lopez, Ph.D, Mike Wright, Roger

Rendleman, Allison Edge, Derek Reeves, Sarita Price,

Sarah L. Williams, and Steven Boone.

Allison Edge receiving the 2020

Edward and Judith Kamnikar Award

from Kathleen Baxter (left)

Derek Reeves receiving thanks for

being President of GFOAA 2019-

2020 from incoming president

Kathy James (right)

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UP COM I N G EV EN TS

2020 CGAT Summer Training Program To Be Determined

GFOAA 2020 Summer Conference and

Training Program To Be Determined

CGAT Certified Government Accounting Technician

August 26, 2020—Purchasing/Accounts Payable

Elective

Registration fee $150.00

For additional information, click here.

IN M EMO RY OF CHA RL ES W. CL AC K 1965-2020

GFOAA member Charles Clack passed away

January 19, 2020. Charles served GFOAA as

president during program year 2010-2011 and

remained an active member until his death. He

received the Edward and Judith Kamnikar Award of

Merit in 2015.

Charles graduated from Handley High School

in Roanoke, AL in 1983. He then received his

bachelor's degree in Accounting from Jacksonville

State University. He retired from the State of

Alabama Department of Revenue where he was

Chief Financial Officer. He also served on the

Accounting Advisory Committee of Auburn University

Montgomery.

Charles was a member of Redland Road

Church of Christ where he served as a Deacon.

Charles was an Eagle Scout, served as Assistant

Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 50, received the

Silver Beaver Award and the Vigil Honor Member

Order of the Arrow.

GFOAA sends sincere sympathy to Charles' wife Melinda and their sons Will and Andy, his mother,

Mary Frances Clack and sister Ellen Clack. Donations may be made in his name to the Tukabatchee

Area Council, BSA Cabin Fund, 3067 Carter Hill Road, Montgomery, AL 36111.

The Quarterly Board of Directors meeting was held December

5, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. President Derek Reeves

called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. Minutes of the

August 14, 2019 board meeting were reviewed and approved.

Minutes from the electronic board meeting were also reviewed

and approved.

Treasurer’s Report—Kathleen Baxter presented the

Proposed Budget for FY 2020-2021.

Administrative Assistant’s Report—No report.

Public Information Officer—No report

Committee Reports –

Professional Development – Kathleen Baxter gave an update

on her trip to UAB to speak on Governmental Finance and

passed out brochures for GFOAA and AGA. Four scholarships

were awarded for 2019. The 2020 scholarship deadline was

moved to January 31, 2020. The committee is also working

on establishing student chapters at the universities and

colleges throughout the state.

Communication and Engagement - Sarita Price gave an up-

date on the Meet the Firms events that were held in August

and September, 2019. The events went well and were a great

success. The students seemed interested in joining GFOAA.

GAAF Forum Update – Keren Deal reported that there were

130 attendees with some live screen attendees. The

conference was approved for 16 CEU’s. The 2020 GAAF

conference will be held December 9—10, 2020 and on

December 9, there will be a networking reception held. There

is discussion to move the 2020 GAAF conference back to

Wynlakes in Montgomery. Wynlakes offers live screening and

as a benefit part of the fees for the live screening cost will be

given to the organization.

Annual 2020 Conference—Keren Deal reported that along

with herself, Kathleen Baxter and Patrick Bowman had all

obtained speakers for the Annual Conference. Candace has

done a great job of putting this year’s conference together.

The GFOAA 2021 Annual Conference will be held in February

2021 in Auburn, AL.

Summer Conference Recap Orange Beach August 14-

16, 2019—Erika Sprouse provided an update on the 2019

summer conference. There will be more discussed at the next

board meeting..

Summer Conference Update Orange Beach August 12-

14, 2020—Discussion was had on whether to continue with

the Hampton Inn or move to another location. For now, it

appears the Hampton still offers the lowest rate.

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Q U A R T E R L Y B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S M E E T I N G B I R M I N G H A M , A L A B A M A D E C E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 9

GFOA Conference—New Orleans, LA May 17-20, 2020—

The president usually attends the annual conference. Hotel

reservations are open and early registration ends January 31,

2020.

Old Business

Strategic Plan 2019-2021—Derek Reeves provided committee

members with a copy of the Strategic Plan for 2019-2021.

There was no other old business.

New Business

CGAT Contract Approval— Derek Reeves provided an update on

the CGAT contract.

Approval of 2020 Summer Conference Budget— Kathleen

Baxter provided the proposed budget for the 2020 GFOAA

Summer Conference. The budget was accepted.

Review and Discussion of 2020-2021 Budget—Kathleen Baxter

opened the meeting up to discussion about the 2020-2021

budget. The budget is based off of last fiscal year’s numbers.

Review and Discussion of 2020-2021 Slate of Officers, Direc-

tors and Committee-Derek Reeves opened the floor to discuss

the proposed slate of officers, directors and committee

members. It was suggested that we submit names of

individuals who meet the requirements and are interested in

becoming part of the committee.

Comments RE: Administrative Assistant and Public Information

Officer Contracts-Derek Reeves opened the floor for comments

regarding the Administrative Assistant and Public Information

Officer Contract Renewals. Keren Deal suggested comments

and suggestions be sent out electronically and feedback should

be sent back by January 10, 2020.

Approval of 2020 CPA Firm Engagement Letter—Kathleen

Baxter requested approval for the 2020 CPA Firm Engagement

Letter. Motion was made and passed.

2020 GAA Forum Representatives—It was decided that Keren

Deal, Michael Rushing and Kathleen Baxter would represent

GFOAA at the GAA Forum for 2020

Women in Finance Event in Conjunction with the GFOAA

Conferences—Derek Reeves opened the floor to discuss the

Women in Finance Event be held in conjunction with the Annual

conference.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

For a complete copy of the minutes, contact President Kathy

James or any board member.

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ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THE 36TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

President:

Kathy James

City of Auburn

First Vice President:

Kathleen Baxter, Ph.D, CGFM

CPM

Comptroller, State of Alabama

Second Vice President:

Erika Sprouse

City of Auburn

Secretary:

Ford Handley

City of Orange Beach

Treasurer:

Vita Smith-Parker

City of Birmingham

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BOAR D OF D I R EC TO R S A ND OF FI C ER S A P R I L 1 , 2 0 2 0 — M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 2 1

Associate Director

Patrick Bowman, CPA

Truitt, Tingle, Paramore and

Argent, LLC

Immediate Past President

Derek Reeves

Bibb County Commission

Administrative Assistant

Jamie Moyers

mail.gfoaa@yahoo.com

Public Information Officer

Melinda Clack

gfoaaemail@gmail.com

Directors:

Michael Rushing

Alabama Department of

Revenue

Jo C. Wood

Alabama Board of Pardons and

Parole

Candace A. Moore

Alabama Department of

Transportation

Andrew Zutter

City of Auburn

Scott Freeman

Huntsville Department of

Parking and Public Transit

Cian Harrison

Baldwin County Commission

GFOAA OF FI C E ADMI N I STRATION

Please notify Jamie Moyers to change your address, or other pertinent information,

at the following address:

P. O. Box 240574

Montgomery, AL 36124-0574

Phone: 334–312-2770 or

Email: mail.gfoaa@yahoo.com

$$ money ta lk $$

Professional Development Committee

Chair Kathleen Baxter, Ph.D., CGFM, CPM

Co-chair Erica Sprouse

Communication and Engagement Committee

Chair Derek Reeves

Co-chair Melinda Clack

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CO MMI TTEE FU N C TION S

CO MMI TTEE CHA IR P ER SO N S

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development Committee is responsible for the Certified Government Finance

Officer (CGFO) program, the Certified Governmental Accounting Technician (CGAT) program,

Education and Conferences, and Scholarships and Awards.

Communication and Engagement Committee

The Communication and Engagement Committee is responsible for:

Governmental Relations— Monitors legislative issues and provides a summary of bills passed

that impact the membership.

Service—Develops and maintains outreach and community service projects for member

involvement.

Communications and Marketing—Promotes GFOAA through effective marketing and promotes

the Scholarship and Awards programs.

P. O. Box 240574

Montgomery, AL

36124-0574

Government Finance Off icers

Association of A labama

$$ MONEY TALK $$ The Alabama Journal of Government Finance

Editor: Melinda J. Clack

Mission Statement

The mission of the Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama is to provide a professional association for gov-ernment finance personnel dedicated to professional develop-ment, educational opportunities, and collaboration.