Ernie Reyna is the dynamic Director of Finance for the City of Perris, a current CSMFO Board Member and active in CSMFO since 2011. His smart, driven, yet humble character are highlighted in his member spotlight. Let’s discover his perfect mix of magic and storyline.

1. What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show and why?

I love science fiction movies because it allows you to escape reality and with all the stress of balancing work/home life, it is the perfect way to unwind. With that being said, growing up every kid my age loved the Star Wars series and every character within the movies. It was a perfect mix of magic and storyline and hey, who didn’t want to be a jedi that could move things with their mind and yield a really cool light saber?

2. How has a previous or current mentor impacted your career?

I’ve been very fortunate to have many mentors throughout my career. The first and most important mentors to me were my parents who always wanted more for me and pushed me to be the best possible person I could be. I looked at my dad, who was a strong male role model as a basis of how to treat people and took to heart all the wonderful advice he gave me throughout his life.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love a good challenge and need to be kept busy and as other Finance people know, our industry is one that presents many, many great opportunities for personal and career growth. Besides the duties of the job, the people you work with always make your job that much more satisfying and the City of Perris has so many great individuals, including my staff.

4. Knowing what you know now, if you were new to government finance what would you do differently when you started your career?

If I could change one thing from the start of my career, I would have gotten my CPA license right after I graduated from college. I got my CPA license right after my youngest son was born and that was very hard to do.

5. What is your current position and what do your children or friends think you do at work?

I’m currently the Director of Finance for the City of Perris. My wife, Dolores, is also a CPA and works for a governmental agency so both of my sons are stuck with having two accountants as parents. I don’t think they understand the concept of what an accountant does, nor do they care to find out, but I can’t help feeling my poor kids will end up working with numbers in the near future.

6. How do you keep up to date with upcoming regulations?

It’s easy to keep up with regulations since CSMFO offers so many great learning opportunities via webinars and live in person events (when there isn’t a pandemic present).

7. How do you motivate staff and yourself?

At Perris, most of my staff works remotely so motivation has to be done via Zoom, for the most part. I’m encouraged and excited because working remotely is a new challenge that our work force has not experienced, but the work is getting done and the City Manager and the City Council are pleased with how everything has turned out thus far, which is very motivating for me.

8. What has been the most challenging time in your finance career and how did you overcome it?

Downsizing and budget cuts are always the most difficult times a Finance person can go through. With that being said, when you have been around long enough, sometimes you have to lay-off your employees and that is never a fun task. On the flip side, expansion and growth are great and when you get to hire your own employees and train them, that is very satisfying.

9. What is something about you that no one would ever guess or expect?

I had intentions to get my MBA in Paris, France, but decided not to go because while I toured the school, I got homesick and decided to stay in the US.

10. What advice do you have for a CSMFO member on getting more involved with the organization?

I would highly encourage CSMFO members to get more involved because the benefits are so rewarding and the people that you get to work with are some of the best individuals you will ever meet. Plus, you get to provide your input on how the course of CSMFO’s future might take shape.