GFOAT President’s Message
April 2026
Hello Finance Professionals,
The papel picado has been away for another year, the River Walk has quieted, and the Grand Hyatt has welcomed its next guests, but if you were with us in San Antonio last week, I hope you carried something home that no conference tote bag could hold.
What a conference it was.
From our Sunday Fiesta Party with Bri Bagwell and William Beckmann, and late-night karaoke to every session, every conversation over dinner, and every chance encounter in the hallway, you showed up. Not just in body, but in spirit. And when the Texas Cavaliers River Parade was rained out on Monday night, you did what finance professionals do best—you adapted. Rather than retreating to your rooms, you gathered, you lingered, and you made the most of the moment together. Honestly, that may have said more about the character of this membership than anything else all weekend.
The energy in that building was exactly what I had hoped it would be, and it was entirely because of you. Thank you. Sincerely and wholeheartedly, thank you.
Thank you to every member who made the trip, who engaged in the sessions, who introduced themselves to someone they had never met, and who stayed a little longer at the table because the conversation was worth it. Thank you to those who shared hard-won lessons with a newer colleague and to those who were humble enough to ask for guidance from someone with more experience. You are the reason GFOAT is what it is.
But here is what I want you to remember: San Antonio was not the destination. It was the spark.
The connections you made last week are only valuable if you tend to them. That colleague from another city who gave you a fresh perspective on a budget challenge you are facing—reach out to them this week. The mentor figure you found yourself talking to by the river—send them a message and keep that conversation going. The newer professional you encouraged over dinner—check in on them. A few words of follow-through can turn a conference moment into a career-defining relationship.
If you are earlier in your career and still looking for that person who will invest in you, I want you to know that GFOAT is full of them. Do not wait for mentorship to find you. Be bold enough to ask for it. Identify someone whose career or leadership you admire and introduce yourself. Most seasoned professionals in this organization are not just willing to help. They are hoping for the chance.
And if you are a long-tenured member, I am asking you to stay engaged and stay reachable. Your experience is not just an asset to your organization, but rather, it is an asset to this entire profession.
Beyond the relationships, I also want to remind you of everything GFOAT has to offer throughout the year. Our training programs, webinars, regional meetings, and resources exist precisely for moments like this. Keep the momentum going long after a conference ends. If you have not explored the full scope of what your membership provides, now is the perfect time. Visit the GFOAT website, engage with your regional representatives, and take advantage of every opportunity to grow.
Our communities are counting on public finance professionals who are sharp, connected, and supported. That is exactly what GFOAT was built to help you be.
The River Walk was beautiful. But the real magic was the people standing beside it.
Until next time,
Blu Kostelich
President, GFOAT
Assistant City Manager & Chief Financial Officer
City of Waco