Bradley Grant, 2007 CSMFO President from the City of Merced
Throughout 2021, CSMFO plans to highlight past presidents and others in leadership to share info on how they first got involved in our organization, fondest CSMFO memories, the role of mentoring others, and other experiential knowledge.
Some remain very involved with CSMFO by being active on committees or teaching training classes. Both David Cain and I have approached these leaders with a series of questions about their past experience with CSMFO and some words of wisdom to share with our members. Here is the first in the series as we highlight past-president Bradley Grant, 2007 President from the City of Merced.
CSMFO: It is always interesting to find out how one first got involved with CSMFO and with what agency were you working at the time?
BG: My first job in municipal finance in California was Deputy Finance Officer for the City of Merced. Pat Samsell, the Finance Officer, believed strongly in the value and benefits of CSMFO for one’s career. He made sure I took advantage of all the education and career development that CSMFO had to offer.
CSMFO: What is your fondest memory with CSMFO?
BG: Having the opportunity to work with a group of positive “can do” individuals, the annual conferences and having the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with Raymond Wood, founder of CSMFO.
CSMFO: When you were a finance professional, and even now in retired life, what tools helped you de-stress?
BG: Early on in my career someone told me that when I retired I would not look back and wish I had worked longer hours and spent more time in meetings. Excellent advice, so I have always tried to keep a balance between work time and family time no matter how challenging things seemed to be. Every finance problem has a solution and finance professionals are problems solvers, and that is why we find this profession so challenging and rewarding at the same time.
There are many professionals beginning their career in government finance, including individuals from the private sector and hopefully some recent college graduates as a part of CSMFO’s student engagement effort. Brad noted that these newer finance professionals should take advantage of the knowledge and experience of their colleagues that are in surrounding agencies, and to never stop learning or thinking outside the box.
Perhaps you will have a chance to see Brad at the next Central Valley Chapter meeting or at the annual conference, as he continues to attend these events, and the webinars presented by the Career Development Committee.
Joan Michaels Aguilar began her career in municipal government over 40 years ago and recently retired with the latter part of her career focused on local government finance. Joan served as the 2019 CSMFO President and has worked for a variety of agencies throughout California and been active for many years in CSMFO on a variety of committees (Administration, Budget, Membership, Communications, and various Host Committees). Currently, Joan is one of the Senior Advisors of the Communications Committee. Even during these trying pandemic times, she enjoys travel and has discovered the beauty of the National Parks recently, visiting four in the past six months.
David Cain is Senior Advisor to the CSMFO Communications Committee and member of the 2021 annual conference committee. David is a retired Director of Finance from the City of Fountain Valley, having worked in the cities of San Bernardino, Chino, Sierra Madre, and for the Moulton Nigel Water District. He is also an Adjunct Professor for the MPA programs at CSUN and CSULB.
