2021 Distinguished Service Awards

BY MARCUS PIMENTEL, 2021 CSMFO PRESIDENT

CSMFO Honors Harriet Commons & Melissa Manchester

Every year, the CSMFO President is given the wonderful opportunity to recognize a CSMFO legacy hero who has provided outstanding service over a consecutive period of time to CSMFO in service of our local government finance profession. This is the highest honor CSMFO bestows and is not necessarily an annual award but rather “given at such times as a person is judged deserving of the honor.” This is reflected in the fact that in the 53 years since the first award in 1968, there have been only 34 recipients. This year, I was given the incredible opportunity, honor, and to a certain degree, the stress to consider and ultimately make the determination whether to recognize someone worthy of our past legacy of award recipients. I can still remember the exact moment sitting on my couch at home when the weight of this award hit me. After a few moments of pointless panic from the pressure of “making the right choice”, two names leaped forward. And I knew instantly they were both the right choice and both so deserving for their passion to serve CSMFO. They were so clearly the ideal reflection of what it took to navigate CSMFO through the crises of 2020 and what we will need to do to build our bridge through the messy middle into the new horizon. While it is common to have one honoree, this would become the fifth time CSMFO would have two honorees. And I stand proud to be able to recognize and honor what will be our ninth and tenth women to have received this award and to mark the first time two women were nominated together.

Harriet Commons “I affectionally call her the accounting dude-ette because she knows everything there is to know about accounting.”

-Mary Bradley, CSMFO Past President (1999), Retired Finance Director. While Harriet’s last name might lead a reader to typecast her, everyone knows she is actually quite extraordinary and anything but common. Her career and quotes from fellow CSMFO-ers across the country validate just how fortunate CSMFO is to have Harriet give so freely to all of us. She has been a constant voice advocating for the highest quality in career development resources for all our members and creating a career pathway for others to learn from and follow. Harriet Commons graduated from Sacramento State and began her career as an auditor with Price Waterhouse, where she earned her CPA. She went on to work as a Research Fellow for GASB and subsequently returned to work at Price Waterhouse until she was recruited to become the Assistant Finance Director at the City of Fremont. After obtaining her Masters in Taxation, she was once again recruited and returned back to Price Waterhouse. In 2004, she was appointed Director of Finance at the City of Fremont and served in that capacity until she retired in 2013. While performing all her duties in Fremont, she continued to contribute to our profession through membership in GFOA and CSMFO. She served on a GASB technical advisory committee and various CalCPA committees.

Harriet has devoted herself to supporting CSMFO’s members through her continuous years of volunteering on the Career Development Committee and has been the mainstay of the Conference Program Committee, initially as a long-term volunteer. When CSMFO asked her in 2016 to grow her work exponentially to support the ever-increasing complexity of the conference, she stepped up to this new challenge and began a small contractual relationship to bring new opportunities to how we delivered conference content. Here are a few reflections from within CSMFO on Harriet’s impact to our large family. “Harriet’s been a constant pillar in my professional career. She’s been there as my trusted colleague while we guided our respective agencies through good and bad financial times. She’s been candid in her advocacy for expanding CSMFO’s training opportunities. She’s a role model for so many women in finance. But I’m most thankful for her personal friendship and loyalty.” -Mary Bradley, Past President (1999), Retired Finance Director “Harriet works tirelessly assisting both the Program and Career Development Committees for the benefit of CSMFO membership and programs. Her vast experience both having served as a Finance Director and in CSMFO leadership has been invaluable to the planning and execution of initiatives for both committees. Harriet truly deserves this recognition for her many years of service to the profession and CSMFO. Thank you, Harriet and congratulations!” -Laura Nomura, Past President (2012), Deputy General Manager, Eastern Municipal Water District “Harriet has been a consistent, calm, and organized guide for the Program Committee’s work for a number of years, ensuring that the numerous activities necessary to deliver a successful conference program are well coordinated and completed on time.” -Scott Catlett, President-Elect (2022), Finance Director/Treasurer, City of Newport Beach “Harriet’s love of and commitment to CSMFO are evident as she provides administrative support to the Annual Conference Program Committee. She is the gentle taskmaster who ensures every “I” is dotted and “T” crossed.” -Ronnie Campbell, Past President (2010) and past Program Committee Chair, Finance Director, City of Johns Creek (GA) “I just want to express my deep gratitude for your efforts…toward the (CSMFO) Program Committee. Since you’ve been involved, everything has drastically improved with that process…all the deadlines are met or exceeded, the speaker coordination is thorough, and no one has to worry about it because you have it handled. The CPE process is now impeccable and beyond reproach.” -Melissa Manchester, CSFMO Executive Director “Harriet has dedicated her lifetime to promote, educate, and support local governments through her time working in the field, serving on industry working groups, and now supporting it through her role as the Annual Conference Program Coordinator. I knew that I could rely upon Harriet to take the monumental task of coordinating the Annual Program with the sessions and speakers. What is so special with Harriet is her servant heart. She is dedicated because she just wants everyone to obtain knowledge to do their job.” -Margaret Moggia, Past President (2018) and past Program Committee Chair, Executive Manager of Finance, West Basin Municipal Water District Harriet will always be a mentor for anyone who watches her and while we are so grateful her CSMFO legacy will continue to build, we are honored to be able to pause and celebrate her in 2021.

Melissa Manchester “I would surmise that a number of our members would have no idea that (Melissa) works with CSMFO under contract, instead, assuming she must be a longtime dedicated employee, as Melissa’s genuine passion for all things CSMFO shines through each and every day.”

-Steve Heide, Past President (2020), Finance Director, Chino Valley Fire I share Steve’s observation above. Years ago, as I left the Chapter Chair circles and moved into other CSMFO committees and roles, I was one of those CSMFO members who assumed Melissa was near full-time dedicated to CSMFO. I can still remember feeling so impressed with how much she did for CSMFO while also supporting other clients. I also remember that same feeling of denial and a little bit of selfishness when I realized that CSMFO has to accept we are just one of her clients. In late 2008, CSMFO was badly in need of professional association support and management. Enter Melissa Manchester and SMA. Over these last dozen years, Melissa has passionately served as CSMFO’s Executive Director. She has guided us when we needed it. She has pushed us to be better and responsive. And has embodied in her own actions what it looks and feels like to be a part of CSMFO. By all accounts, CSMFO has thrived during her tenure. We have served thousands of members through our annual conferences, live and virtual training, and through all our programs. Melissa has been there as we moved from the MiniNews to the CSMFO Magazine and now CSMFO News online platform. She has been there to see our membership grow and our conference attendance double. And when 2020 hit, she was there as a thought partner to help us turn the challenges into new successes. Her influence through CSMFO has improved our members’ careers and skills, thereby providing even more value to their agencies across all of California. Here are reflections from CSMFO’s leadership on how Melissa has supported them and their own CSMFO innovations and successes. “Melissa was a true partner during my term as President. Reflecting back, I was amazed on how much she understood CSMFO with its history and was able to guide me behind the scenes with energy and passion to make sure I fulfilled the role like other Presidents. Over the past decade, she has been invaluable to the Board and leadership of CSMFO. I believe Melissa loves CSMFO as much as I do.” -John Adams, Past President (2016), Chief Financial Officer, Eastern Municipal Water District “Melissa has been a key to my success as a volunteer leader of this organization, with us working side-by-side for the benefit of our members. She was a sounding board, a mentor, an idea generator, and the person who generally saved me from myself. She was a trusted advisor who always found solutions to even the most difficult problems. I simply could not have done it without her, and I am so grateful for her dedication to CSMFO.” -Drew Corbett, Past President (2012), City Manager, City of San Mateo “Melissa is very passionate about her work and always has a smile on her face. I love her positivity no matter what the situation. And when options were needed, Melissa could always be counted on to come up with some creative suggestions. You just know everything will be taken care of in the end.” -Jesse Takahashi, Past President (2015), Finance & Administrative Services Director, City of Mountain View

“Melissa’s enthusiasm to support the CSMFO membership is unwavering. While she may have not walked in our shoes as a finance officer, she embodies the spirit of supporting our work. For over 10 years she focused on connecting people, supporting our programs and advancing CSMFO’s strategic plan. Thank you, Melissa for your creativity and friendship.” -Margaret Moggia, Past President (2018), Executive Manager of Finance, West Basin Municipal Water District “She is forward-thinking and a problem solver and values the people of CSMFO. She has a high degree of professional responsibility and greatly enjoys working with the CSMFO. And for our organization, she takes our vision and makes it happen.” -Joan Michaels Aguilar, Past President (2019), Retired Finance Director Melissa, in my own perspective, shares our common CSMFO values. When I reflect on what it feels like to work with Melissa, “Integrity”, “Competency”, and “Transparency” are wonderful ways to describe her. And when I think of what drives her to continue to bring a daily renewed devotion to CSMFO, I know it comes from her “Commitment to Public Service”. But when you get to the core of why she serves us all with such enthusiasm, and aligned with her humble demeanor, it comes from “Creating a Positive Legacy” for CSMFO and all our members. Thank you in advance Melissa for holding me accountable this upcoming year for all the commitments I’ve made and will still make, for guiding me with thoughtful and candid feedback including “not” to overcommit myself, for texting me when I forget about a meeting I’m supposed to attend, for guiding the execution of our Strategic Plan, for getting our agenda, reports, and minutes completed, and probably most importantly for reminding me to pause, to smile, and to track down that special Disney gift for my wife Laurie!