Meet Jean Rousseau, CSMFO’s First Employee

This past December, Jean completed a distinguished 31-year career serving local government in California, starting as an Accountant II with Fresno County. He moved up the finance ladder to Chief Accountant before moving to the Assistant County Administrative Officer position in 2004. In 2007, he moved into the County’s top position (County Administrative Officer), serving Tulare and Fresno counties to his retirement. He has served in several finance and accounting roles, including as Finance Director/Controller for the City of Fresno, Principal and Senior Accountant for Fresno County, and Staff Accountant for Sampson & Sampson CPAS.

Jean brings a wealth of experience to his new role with CSMFO. He has been actively involved in developing and guiding fiscal policies across the State, including serving on the State Treasurer’s committee to streamline policies and procedures. He continued to be actively involved in developing local government budget strategies until his retirement. Following the Great Recession, his leadership resulted in Tulare County being “one of the most financially sound counties in the state” (The Recorder, 10/05/15).

“We are fortunate to be able to fill this historic position with an accomplished and respected government leader. Jean has the skills and experience required to help CSMFO build upon past successes, while strategically enhancing our membership benefits and educational offerings,” said CSMFO 2022 President Scott Catlett

Some of Jean’s top responsibilities for CSMFO include:

• Guiding our strategic and operational plan
• Managing CSMFO contracts
• Coordinating management and updates of our website and documents
• Streamlining and documenting committee and chapter chair guidelines
• Helping to onboard new CSMFO volunteers
• Ensure committees have necessary staffing and budget resources
• Strengthen relationships with partner associations (Washington, Oregon, Alaska, GFOA, CMTA, etc.) and build new relationships (CalPERS, State-Controller & State Treasurer, CSAC, and other associations)
• Oversee the launch of our new Learning Management System by Tech/Admin Committee

“I am grateful to be selected to serve all the members of CSMFO,” said Mr. Rousseau. “While I feel I have a strong sense of the financial obstacles facing California cities, districts, and counties, I’m most excited to serve CSMFO by leaning into my passion in supporting career growth and giving back to create stronger leaders. I thank the CSMFO Board of Directors, Past President Steve Heide, 2022 President Scott Catlett, and President Marcus Pimentel for this opportunity.” – Jean Rousseau, CSMFO Executive Director

Born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, Rousseau has been married for nearly 40 years to his high school sweetheart, Andria. The couple has three children: Jordan, Alexandra, and Madison. Rousseau graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California State University, Fresno in 1986 and is an alumnus of San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno.

Jean will be introduced to our members on stage on February 16, 2022, at the kickoff of our 2022 conference in San Diego. And I hope you’ll get the chance to talk to him during our conference, virtually (or in-person) at our Chapter meetings, and during our Board Meetings.

Jean was unanimously selected following a highly competitive, three-month, state-wide recruitment process. This process included interviews by all our 2021 and 2022 Board Members, and other CSMFO leaders, a media and background check, and an employment agreement created by a leading labor law firm in California.