A Message from the 2026-2027 GFOAT President
It is a great honor to serve as your 2026-2027 Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) president. As a proud member since 2015, I have seen firsthand the incredible value this organization brings to finance professionals across our state.
I began my career in local government in 2009 as an auditor for Cameron County. In 2013, I joined the City of Harlingen, where I quickly realized that cities and counties operate quite differently. While I appreciated my time at the County, I truly enjoyed working for the City. Since then, I have had the privilege of working for the City of McAllen and currently for the City of Corpus Christi. Throughout my journey, GFOAT has played a role in my professional growth and development.
Through GFOAT’s fall and spring conferences, I connected with others from across the state. I learned that my colleagues in North Texas faced challenges similar to those I faced in South Texas. I also connected with other professionals from my area whom I had never met before. After I returned home from conference, I now had contacts I could reach out to for help. GFOAT’s fall and spring conferences provided me with the training and support I needed to succeed in local government.
Through GFOAT’s listserv, now the GFOAT Forum, I discovered helpful templates and reference materials. One thing I love about local government is that we can share policies and procedures and apply them across most cities.
Finally, I gained significant value from our sponsors. Their support and expertise enabled me to provide better information and services to the cities I’ve served.
I am truly grateful for everything this organization has done for me, and I am humbled by the opportunity to give back by serving its members.
I encourage each of you to stay engaged, attend our fall and spring conferences, volunteer on a committee, utilize our Forum, and connect with fellow members across the state.
I am proud to serve as your president, and I look forward to seeing you all at our fall conference in Corpus Christi!
Sergio Villasana
President
Government Finance Officers Association of Texas
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