Jason Al-Imam, Finance Director/City Treasurer at the City of Tustin also serves CSMFO as the Chair of the Professional Standards Committee, which keeps members informed of emerging issues and best practices. He has been a CSMFO members for 11 years, grew up surrounded by professional municipal organizations, and often enjoys the happiest place on earth or a night under the stars with family.

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

My favorite TV show is Seinfeld because you need to be able to laugh after a long day of debits and credits. This show about nothing is my SERENITY NOW.

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

My dad, Ken Al-Imam, has had a huge impact on my career. For 15 years, my dad authored most of the white papers of the California Committee on Municipal Accounting (CCMA), a joint committee comprised of members of the League of California Cities and the California Society of CPAs. Therefore, he has been a huge resource to me on accounting and financial reporting issues. He has also taught me many important life lessons. I am thankful that I have had such an amazing mentor and father.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy my profession because I recognize the important role that finance professionals play in maintaining fiscal stewardship of public funds.

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

I would have become involved with CSMFO much earlier.

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

I am the Finance Director and City Treasurer for the City of Tustin, a full-service city in Orange County. I have three children (ages 2, 9 and 12). My kids think I drink coffee all day at work, which is pretty accurate.

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

I am the Chair of the Professional Standards Committee whose primary mission is to operate as a technical resource by keeping CSMFO members informed of emerging issues and best practices through Committee Highlights. The municipal and commercial members on the Committee are industry experts that help keep me (and CSMFO) up to date on emerging issues.

7. How do you motivate staff and yourself?

I have learned that developing relationships with my staff is key to understanding what motivates them. I try to show my staff that I care about them and that I am an advocate for them and our department.

I also enjoy finding ways to achieve cost savings and maximize the City’s financial resources, which I find personally motivating.

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

COVID-19 has created many challenges from the shelter-in-place restrictions (which has required us to re-think how we do business) to the financial implications of these State mandated health orders (which has created unprecedented budgetary challenges). Fortunately, we have great support staff and strong executive leadership that has allowed us to work through these challenging times.

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

I enjoy backpacking and camping with my son. We have made some great memories over the years at places like Joshua Tree and Mammoth. Our family is also a huge fan of Disneyland. We live about 10 miles away from Disneyland and can’t get enough of the happiest place on earth.

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

In 2014 I began serving on a CSMFO Committee because I wanted to be part of the collaborative process, which has allowed me to meet a lot of great people across the State of California. I encourage members to get involved and connected by joining a Committee or get involved with your local chapter.