Carrie Guarino is the Assistant General Manager of Cucamonga Valley Water District, CSMFO Board Member and CSMFO Member for 26 years. Her humorous, lighthearted and loving nature are reflected in her member spotlight. Let’s discover the world of Carrie.

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

Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen – I love historical novels and Jane Austen was an incredible and witty author.

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

I try to watch and observe multiple professionals and incorporate the things they do well – my best example is public speaking. I have been fortunate to work for organizations that value good staff reports and presentations. Throughout the years I have learned to use their successful styles and incorporate them into my presentation delivery.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

No two days are the same – I love special projects because I learn new skills and/or apply what I have learned over the past 30 years.

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

I have no regrets – I have been blessed with an awesome career. My best advice is to keep pushing yourself, obtain certifications or an advanced degree, and be dependable.

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

When my son was young and I occasionally brought him to work when he wasn’t feeling well, I would set him up with a portable DVD player to keep him entertained while I worked. He thought that my job was to watch movies at work.

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

CSMFO, of course!

7. How do you motivate staff and yourself?

It all depends on who I am working with – I really try to tailor it based on their skills, confidence and abilities. I never want to over-manage someone who doesn’t need it. My colleagues know that I trust them, and I hope they see me as a resource just as much as I need their advice.

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

I have to say that the current pandemic has been the most challenging and longest lasting. Working from home has been a challenge because I enjoy interacting face-to-face with my colleagues. My workdays at home don’t seem to end and the workdays bleed into the night. Since we have a lot of employees at home, I find that coming into the office helps me with more structure.

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

Well I didn’t play in a minor league baseball team nor do I play three instruments…. but I learned how to make homemade bricks! My time early in the pandemic was spent trying to bake homemade bread. Well, I still haven’t figured out how to make a good loaf and they are hard as rocks!

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

Get involved – even if you are shy. Chapter meetings are a great way to meet new colleagues and our awesome commercial members. Ask your chapter chair if they need help at the registration table or with the prize raffles. If that’s not your gig, talk with a Board member, Committee Chair, and/or Chapter Chair. They can help you get involved in a way that you are comfortable.