Chapter Roundup: North Coast Chapter
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The North Coast Chapter represented CSMFO at the Sonoma State Career Fair, engaging with students about public finance careers. They enrolled a new
student member, collected resumes, and highlighted internship opportunities, emphasizing the need for more structured, accessible programs.
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North Coast Chapter Connects with Students at Sonoma State Career Fair
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On March 7, 2025, the North Coast Chapter proudly represented CSMFO at the Sonoma State University Career Fair, joining 91 other agencies in engaging with over 350 enthusiastic
students exploring career and internship opportunities. The chapter’s table, staffed by a dedicated team of local government finance professionals—Dan Buffalo (Finance
Director, City of Ukiah), Angela Courter (Administrative Services Director, City of Cotati), Yosselyn De Ortega Valencia (Finance Manager, City of Rohnert Park), Liz Garcia
(Administrative Services Director, Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District), and Katie Edgar (Finance Director, City of Healdsburg), and festooned with provided
CSMFO merch, candy, and get to know CSMFO Fliers —was a hub of activity and interest.
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The team promoted CSMFO’s mission and the value of public service finance careers, highlighting internship and job opportunities across the region. They connected with more
than a dozen interested students and successfully enrolled one as a new student member of CSMFO. The team also collected seven resumes from current and graduating students
seeking internships and full-time employment, which will be shared with CSMFO to help connect students with member agencies currently recruiting.
What stood out as a particular area of interest for many students was the availability of internship opportunities. This highlights the importance for CSMFO to continue encouraging
its members to offer internships and to consider enhancing how these opportunities are advertised. It may also be beneficial for CSMFO to explore the development of a
plug-and-play internship program that member agencies can easily adopt and implement, helping streamline the process and broaden access for students statewide.
The event was an enjoyable success and a great opportunity to build awareness of the rewarding paths available in municipal finance. The North Coast Chapter looks forward
to continuing this momentum and helping students take the next step in their professional journey.
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Dan Buffalo serves as the Finance Director for the City of Ukiah, California. He started with the City in July of 2016 after serving as Finance Director for the City of Lakeport, California. Dan has over 18 years of professional local government experience
in finance and municipal management, including debt management, continuing disclosure, financial and managerial reporting, and budgeting. He holds degrees from the University
of California, Davis and the University of Southern California, as well as certificates in governmental accounting from the University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of
Government, and the Advanced Government Finance Institute offered by GFOA and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, School of Business. Additionally, Dan is a Certified Public
Accountant, licensed in the State of California. Since 2010, he has taught accounting and business management courses as an adjunct professor at Mendocino College. He currently
serves on the CSMFO Board of Directors and chairs the North Coast Chapter. Dan and his wife Megan have three children and enjoy traveling together, spending time as a family,
and watching USC and Wisconsin football. In his spare time, he enjoys sleeping.
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