May 4, 2023 – May the Fourth be with You!
Calling all you Star Wars fans out there! Did you know that Star Wars Day is celebrated every May 4th (May the 4th, get it)? Did you also know that the 2024 Annual CSMFO Conference will be held at the Disneyland Hotel? This is the perfect time to roll out the conference theme of May the Magic of Finance be with You and let your imagination run wild with all the Star Wars related themes.
As you may have guessed, the conference will have a focus on Star Wars and everything Light and Dark Side related. The 2024 Host Committee has been hard at work planning the conference, which will include a lot of surprises, so you are not going to want to miss this conference. The conference will kick-off on January 30, 2024, and run through February 2, 2024, so please make sure to book early to ensure you will be at the “happiest place on earth.”
In addition to all the Star Wars related fun, you can also count on the same high-quality education you expect from CSMFO. This year’s platform will include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) so we would love to see as many members attend the conference and participate in all the festivities and everything else that CSMFO has to offer its members at the conference. So, whether you are a long-time member or if this will be your first time attending a conference (and you picked a great one to start with), let the force run through you and take full advantage of all the great benefits CSMFO can offer to you.
As mentioned, the conference will begin on Tuesday, January 30 and will start with the pre-conference sessions (more information to be provided soon on these sessions.). Also included on Tuesday will be the annual golf tournament as well as pickleball. Both events are great ways to get out and connect (or reconnect) with CSMFO members. Remember, networking is a great way to grow and CSMFO can certainly help you in this manner.
The conference sessions will start on Wednesday with lots of great content scheduled through Friday morning. Don’t forget to visit our vendors as well as they will be back in full force looking to provide you with excellent products and services. Also don’t forget about the vendor reception on Wednesday night and get out to mingle with our commercial members. Lastly, at the Thursday night event, you’ll feel the full force of CSMFO’s ability to plan and throw a great party.
I’ll leave you with this saying. A wise being once said, “Try not. Do, or do not do. There is no try.” So, don’t try to be at the 2024 conference, be at the 2024 conference and May the Magic of Finance be with You!
Ernie Reyna is the 2024 CSMFO President-Elect. He has 25 years of experience working in Accounting and Finance and has currently been with the City of Perris since November of 2019, first serving as the Director of Finance and for the past two years, as the Deputy City Manager.
Before joining the team at the City of Perris, Ernie was with the City of Eastvale as their Finance Director / City Treasurer for a year-and-a-half. Prior to accepting the position with the City of Eastvale, Ernie spent seven years as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG). And before his time at WRCOG, Ernie was employed a total of 13 years with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The first 6 ½ years was spent with the casino performing accounting duties as they relate to the gaming industry. The next 6 ½ years was completed on the administration side working closely with the Tribal Council.
Ernie has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the California Baptist University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Riverside in Business Administration. He also earned his certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
