Angela Blatt
Why Bond Deals Go Bad
Tuesday, April 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Navigating ESG in the Bond Market
Tuesday, July 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Director
As a Director in the Strategy & Services Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Angela focuses on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-funded initiative “Defining the Food System Asset Class,” whereby CDFA explores opportunities for the advancement of local and regional food systems using development finance tools. Through this initiative, Angela collaborates with communities across the country providing technical assistance and producing strategic plans for development finance strategies that meet infrastructure, agriculture, and small business needs to support equitable, local food economies. Angela leads CDFA’s Food Systems Finance Advisory Council, joining the food and finance industries, and administers CDFA’s Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, connecting food-related businesses and projects with development finance agencies. In 2021, she gained Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) certification through the CDFA Training Institute.
A Navy Veteran, Angela holds two degrees from The Ohio State University: a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Food Policy from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Science from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
Ryan K. Callender
Financing Charter Schools with Social Bonds
Tuesday, August 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Partner
Squire Patton Boggs
Oreste Casciaro
Bond Market 2024 Forecast
Tuesday, January 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Economic Development & Bond Finance
Tuesday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Financing Charter Schools with Social Bonds
Tuesday, August 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Exploring New IIJA Bond Categories
Tuesday, September 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Senior Vice President, Relationship Management
The Bank of New York Mellon
Oreste has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. He is a senior relationship manager at BNY’s Corporate Trust Public Finance group, covering the Northeast region, primarily supporting the largest municipal issuers in New York City and New York State. Oreste began his career at a New York Stock Exchange specialist-trading firm during which he obtained his BBA and MBA in Finance.
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Tammy Davis
The Re-emergence of Bond Banks
Tuesday, March 19, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Why Bond Deals Go Bad
Tuesday, April 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Bond Financing for Manufacturers & Non-Profits
Tuesday, November 19, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Senior Vice President, Client Executive
The Bank of New York Mellon
Tammy is currently a Senior Relationship Manager in Corporate Trust for The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company. Based in the Midwest, she manages trustee, paying agent and escrow services for a portfolio of healthcare, higher education, state/ local government and housing clients. She has sales and business development responsibilities over a very diverse mix of corporate trust products and bond financing structures. Previous to her current business development role, Tammy was a Team Leader managing several administrators with responsibility for managing overall client relationships, reviewing documents associated with bond financings, ensuring accounts are properly established on all systems and, performing day to day administrative duties such a investments, cash movement, compliance monitoring, and debt service processing for numerous relationships. Tammy joined the public finance corporate trust industry in 1996 through heritage organizations and has over 30 years of total banking experience. She has a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in Finance.
Matthias Edrich
Exploring New IIJA Bond Categories
Tuesday, September 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Tax Partner
Kutak Rock LLP
Mr. Edrich is a tax attorney in the Denver office of Kutak Rock LLP and is a member of the firm’s national federal tax and public finance practices. He advises government, non-profit and for-profit clients concerning federal tax treatment and Internal Revenue Service audits of municipal and certain related corporate securities offerings, certain tax credit matters and other tax-incentivized debt and equity financing structures. Mr. Edrich also advises clients in connection with private letter ruling requests to the Internal Revenue Service.
His clients include multifamily residential rental housing transaction participants, hospitals, senior living and general health care providers, manufacturing, alternative energy and solid waste companies, gas and electric companies, transportation, library and educational authorities and districts, special districts and developers, and general state and local governmental entities. Mr. Edrich also assists with certain related bond tax credit, investment tax credit, housing tax credit and alternative energy tax matters. He has also served as tax counsel in connection with financings for community development districts in Florida and bond tax matters relating to defaults by issuers and conduit borrowers.
Mr. Edrich is admitted to practice in the States of Colorado, Idaho and Ohio and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and before the U.S. Tax Court. He is an active member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers where he currently serves on the Executive Committee as Board Treasurer. He has served as an officer for the Colorado Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce and has counseled German companies in Colorado regarding general business contract negotiations. Mr. Edrich also served as chair of both the Tax Law Committee of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and the Tax-Exempt Financing Committee of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association.
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David Erdman
Navigating ESG in the Bond Market
Tuesday, July 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Managing Director
Baker Tilly
David Erdman, is a managing director of Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, has over 30 years of public finance experience at a major state-level issuer and is an active advocate and leader for municipalities in the municipal bond market. He has extensive working relationships with many regulatory agencies along with significant experience with multiple types of credits, transactions and complex projects. Recognizing the importance of both the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and sustainability/resiliency efforts to municipal governments, David has expanded his practice to incorporate these important initiatives. David is a member of the National Association of Municipal Advisors and previously was Chair of the State Debt Management Network (SDMN) and a member of GFOA’s Committee on Governmental Debt Management. He earned a Public administration/political science degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. David is also Chair of the Utilities Committee and a volunteer Advanced Emergency Medical Technician for his hometown of Stoughton, Wisconsin
Michael Gaughan
The Re-emergence of Bond Banks
Tuesday, March 19, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Executive Director & Secretary
Vermont Bond Bank
Michael became the Executive Director and Secretary of the Bond Bank in 2018. He is also the Executive Director of the Vermont Educational and Health Buildings Financing Agency. He is the Bond Bank’s representative to the State of Vermont’s Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee.
Michael was previously a Director for the National Development Council (NDC)—a national community development finance nonprofit and PNC where he served as a public finance banker focused on governmental, housing, and community facilities transactions.
Michael is on the Executive Committee of the City of Burlington's Planning Commission, board member of the NESGFOA, and an advisor to the GFOA’s Committee on Economic Development and Capital Planning. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College and a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
John Hallacy III
Bond Market 2024 Forecast
Tuesday, January 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
President
John Hallacy Consulting LLC
John Hallacy is President of John Hallacy Consulting LLC where he assists money managers, data and software providers, and other industry participants. He is a prolific writer on LinkedIn and is quoted in the media. This enterprise follows a long tenure in the municipal business, predominantly as head of municipal research for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. John has also spent time as an analyst and manager at S&P Global, underwriter and marketer at four bond insurance companies, and as a contributing editor at The Bond Buyer. He has served as the head of MAGNY and president of the Society of Municipal Analysts. He is also a past board member of NFMA. Institutional Investor and Smith’s Research & Gradings have ranked him on numerous occasions.
Terry Hayes
The Re-emergence of Bond Banks
Tuesday, March 19, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Executive Director
Maine Municipal Bond Bank
Terry Hayes joined the team at the Maine Municipal Bond Bank as its Executive Director in January 2020. As Maine State Treasurer in 2015 through 2019, Terry served on all three of the governing boards providing oversight to the Bond Bank and its clients (MMBB, MHHEFA, and MGFA). She served in the Maine State Legislature in 2006 through 2014, representing the Oxford County towns of Buckfield, Hartford, Paris, and Sumner. Terry has her B.A. from Bowdoin College and her M.B.A. from Thomas College.
Colin Kalvas
Exploring Common Bond Reserve Funds
Tuesday, December 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Partner
Bricker Graydon
Colin Kalvas practices public finance and economic development law. Colin serves political subdivisions, financial institutions, developers and special purpose districts such as special improvement districts and new community authorities in many different capacities. He regularly represents clients in matters related to the issuance of bonds, securities law, federal income tax law, contracts, real property acquisition, development, and governmental revenues.
Colin has been at the forefront of developing property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing in Ohio. His PACE efforts include serving as counsel to PACE administrators and energy special improvement districts throughout Ohio, as well as serving as bond counsel and lender’s counsel to Ohio port authorities and other financial institutions that finance energy efficiency and clean energy projects through PACE.
He is well known within the national PACE community and has spoken at several national PACE conferences. He has extensive experience negotiating, documenting and closing PACE transactions, including as part of complex capital stacks. Colin is frequently called upon to advise PACE capital providers of all kinds with respect to transactional best practices and documentation.
Colin serves on Bricker Graydon’s public finance federal income tax support committee. In that capacity Colin advises clients on federal income tax issues related to municipal bonds.
Other significant portions of Colin’s practice include port authority common bond fund financing and the negotiation, implementation and monetization of economic development tools like tax increment financing (TIF), special assessments, community redevelopment area (CRA) abatements and new community authority charges.
Robert Kaplan
Impacts of Inflation on Bond Yields, Arbitrage, and Rates
Tuesday, June 18, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Partner
McGuireWoods LLP
Mr. Kaplan is an attorney at McGuireWoods, LLP in Washington, D.C. He practices in all areas of tax law with an emphasis on municipal bond tax law. He counsels bond issuers, borrowers, and underwriters on federal and state tax law relating to tax-exempt bond issues involving governmental facilities, qualified 501(c)(3) bonds, qualified student loans, multi-family housing, and exempt facility bonds.
Emmett Kelly
Why Bond Deals Go Bad
Tuesday, April 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Attorney
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Emmett is a partner in the Columbus office and practices in the Lending and Commercial Services and Government Services practice group. He has served as bond counsel, structuring counsel, underwriter's counsel, developer's counsel and purchaser's counsel for various taxable and tax-exempt project and revenue bond financings, including private activity bonds (IDB's), municipal, education, health care financings, renewable and alternative energy, and traditional general obligation, 501 (c)(3) issues.
He serves as bond counsel and special counsel on economic development financing and incentive projects utilizing tax increment financing, joint enterprise development districts, enterprise zones, energy special improvement districts, and community reinvestment areas. Emmett also serves as counsel to economic development entities such as community improvement corporations, new community authorities, regional planning commissions, convention facilities authorities, water and sewer districts, and port authorities on general, economic development and special obligation revenue financing matters. In the traditional general obligation area, he serves as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel and purchaser's counsel for general obligation, special obligation revenue bond and note financings for municipalities, school districts, counties, townships, port authorities, convention facilities authorities and other public sector entities.
In the area of property assessed clean energy (P.A.C.E.), renewable and alternative energy projects and on P3's (public/private partnerships) transactions Emmett has served as legal counsel and as a consultant. He has worked on P3's, which have included tax increment financing, special assessments, private equity and assets, and governmental services and assets, for land development projects and public works.
Nicole Krippel
Economic Development & Bond Finance
Tuesday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Director, Tax Exempt Financing
PIDC (Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation)
Nicole Krippel is the Director of the Tax- Exempt Financing Program on behalf of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (“PAID”) at the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (“PIDC”). PAID issues debt for capital projects and on behalf of a broad range of small industrial and non-profit borrowers that include arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions, medical facilities, social services, affordable housing, and community development corporations.
Together with the tax-exempt program, Nicole also facilitates grants for capital needs for PIDC on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Water Department.
Nicole received her B.S. from Drexel University and a post baccalaureate certificate from Villanova University. Nicole has worked in the public finance sector since 2000 and began working at PIDC in November of 2007 in the capacity of Bond Administrator, and in April of 2021 was named the Director of the Tax-Exempt Program.
Nicholas Lehman
Bond Rating Roundtable
Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Vice President-Senior Analyst
Moody's Investors Service
Nick Lehman is a Vice President-Senior Analyst for the Eastern Local Governments Ratings Team covering credits in New England and New York. Prior to joining Moody’s in 2011, Nick worked for the Kansas Development Finance Authority acting as the primary issuer for various State of Kansas credits including, state general fund, higher education, and pooled loan programs. Nick holds a BA in Economics from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Baker University.
Lauren Mack
Bond Financing for Manufacturers & Non-Profits
Tuesday, November 19, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Attorney
Law Office of Lauren Mack, P.C.
Lauren has over 30 years of experience in financing (tax-exempt, taxable and public-private partnerships), federal tax, non-profit organizations, health care, corporate, and governance matters. She works with clients to provide practical solutions to their real-world problems. Lauren has been involved in a wide range of public financing transactions, serving as bond counsel and issuer’s counsel, as well as advising borrowers (including health care organizations, cultural institutions, schools and universities, and Indian tribal governments), underwriters, and banks (as direct lenders, liquidity providers and letter of credit providers) on tax and other matters. She advises clients with respect to transaction structuring, as well as post-closing covenant and tax compliance. She also represents clients before the IRS in connection with audits, closing agreements under the IRS’ Voluntary Compliance Program, and private letter rulings. Lauren also advises clients on corporate transactional and financing matters, including issuance of public and privately placed debt, use of special purpose vehicles, public-private partnerships and other joint ventures, and corporate acquisitions and dispositions. Her representative clients include corporations, municipal entities, commercial lenders, and credit enhancers. She works with the client’s financial team on transaction structure, due diligence, documentation, continuing disclosure, and post-closing covenant compliance. Lauren received her J.D. from Duke University School of Law, graduating with distinction. She received her B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Mark Medema
Financing Charter Schools with Social Bonds
Tuesday, August 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Managing Director
Equitable Facilities Fund
Mark Medema is the managing director for the Charter School Facility Center at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, where he leads the Alliance of Facility Experts, addresses facility policy and regulatory issues confronting charter schools, and manages technical assistance support for charter school operators. Prior to his work with the National Alliance, he was the start-up director for Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF), a non-profit social impact fund providing low-cost, long-term capital to charter schools. He joined EFF from the nonprofit Building Hope, where he led the initiative to double the size of the organization in terms of new offices in new markets, number of staff, real estate loan and development products, net earnings and total assets. Mark was also president and chief operating officer of EdVillage, an international education reform organization dedicated to supporting great third-sector schools worldwide. Previously, he worked for the KIPP Foundation helping replicate the success of KIPP in over 50 schools as the Director of Business Development and the Managing Director of the Real Estate Fund.
Ariel Miller
The Re-emergence of Bond Banks
Tuesday, March 19, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
JobsOhio
Ariel Miller is the Senior Director of Research & Technical Assistance with the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). During her time at CDFA, she has conducted research and data collection, written numerous publications, and developed curriculum on topics including access to capital programs, equitable economic development, infrastructure finance, federal finance, tax credit programs, and food system finance. Ariel also leads technical assistance engagements with development finance agencies for strategic planning, finance program development, and CDFI certification. In this role, she contributes to the organization’s strategic planning, staff development, and day-to-day management, in addition to leading the Research & Technical Assistance team. Ariel received her Master of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University, where she also earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology.
Katie Moriarty
Financing Charter Schools with Social Bonds
Tuesday, August 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Exploring New IIJA Bond Categories
Tuesday, September 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Bond Rating Roundtable
Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Bond Financing for Manufacturers & Non-Profits
Tuesday, November 19, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Exploring Common Bond Reserve Funds
Tuesday, December 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Director
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Katie Moriarty is a Director in the Knowledge & Networks Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Ms. Moriarty leads the organization’s National Development Finance Summit, held annually to bring together leaders and experts from the development finance industry from around the world. She also manages CDFA’s Sponsorship as well as the Training Institute where she collaborates with organizations and individuals from across the globe to provide awareness and education within the industry.
Ms. Moriarty’s career has been primarily in the non-profit sector, and she came to CDFA after working most recently as a Manager of Partner Success at Rev1 Ventures. She is a highly experienced facilitator with expertise in relationship building, collaboration, and communication.
A graduate of The Ohio State University and Youngstown State University, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Education. Outside of her professional life, Ms. Moriarty enjoys spending time with her very active family, including her 3 children and their dog. She loves doing anything outdoors and is an avid runner.
Stephen Pearlman
Why Bond Deals Go Bad
Tuesday, April 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Partner
Pearlman & Miranda, LLC
Stephen B. Pearlman is a founding partner of the decade old specialty law firm Pearlman & Miranda, LLC, Newark, New Jersey. For nearly 4 decades, many as a senior finance partner at multiple large NJ law firms, Mr. Pearlman has closed over $21 billion par amount of financings, primarily in his sub-specialty practice areas of project, public, redevelopment, and renewable energy finance. He has structured and created new financing models in all of these areas, drafted and consulted on finance legislation, lectured and published nationally and locally regarding a variety of these financing techniques and transactions, and some of his models and projects have won awards. His clients include State, local and regional governments, private developers and commercial interests, not for profit organizations and trade associations, investment and hedge funds, all manner of municipal marketplace participants, and other institutional finance parties. He has volunteered for multiple formal and informal committees where his finance expertise is routinely sought by decision makers in and out of government. For the past two decades, he has been annually recognized by peer bar groups in the highest rated category for lawyers.
Cory Phelps
Financing Charter Schools with Social Bonds
Tuesday, August 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Vice President
Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Cory Phelps has been with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) for seven years, leading its business finance and economic growth activities, and building its portfolio to an average of $200 million in annual business. Mr. Phelps currently manages a team of 22 in the administration and oversight of Idaho’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), HOME loan, Collateral Support (CSP), and Tax-Exempt Bond Financing programs.
As Vice President, Mr. Phelps manages the competitive application process for annual LIHTC awards and all aspects of tax-exempt bond financing for manufacturing, nonprofit, and affordable housing projects. He also coordinates communication with all finance partners, including project developers, investors, underwriters, borrowers and commercial banks. In 2016, he consolidated the Economic Development and Multifamily Housing departments to form the Project Finance business unit.
Previously, Mr. Phelps held finance positions with Zions First National Bank as the Vice President and Commercial Portfolio Manager and Washington Mutual Commercial Bank as a Commercial Banking Officer. Most recently before IHFA, he was with the Eastern Idaho Development Corporation.
Mr. Phelps is currently a Board Chair of Capital Matrix, a SBA 504 lender, and the New Market Tax Credit Advisory Board of MoFi (formerly Montana & Idaho CDC). A graduate of the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce Leadership Pocatello program, he also served on the program’s Board of Directors and as a facilitator. His community involvements include leadership positions with the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, Portneuf Greenway Foundation, Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce and the Pocatello Zoological Society. Mr. Phelps earned a Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration in Finance with a minor in Political Science from Idaho State University.
Troy Pitman
AI & Bonds
Tuesday, May 21, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Navigating ESG in the Bond Market
Tuesday, July 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Vice President, Relationship Management
The Bank of New York Mellon
Troy Pitman joined BNY Mellon in 2007 as a Corporate Trust Administrator in BNY’s Seattle office. A promotion to Client Service Manager prompted a moved to Denver in 2010 and in 2015, he shifted focus from a client service to business development role where he currently serves municipal clients as a Relationship Manager in the public/not-for-profit segment.
Troy has extensive experience managing a wide variety of debt issuances, escrows and custody/safekeeping relationships and has enjoyed working with a broad range of clients including those in healthcare, housing, higher ed, transportation and all levels of state and local governments. He is also heavily involved in BNY Mellon’s market-leading efforts in the Property Assessed Clean Energy “PACE” Bond space.
Troy is a recipient of BNY Mellon’s prestigious Above and Beyond Award, recognizing individuals whose commitment to our company’s values of Client Focus, Trust, Teamwork and Outperformance, greatly exceeds expectations.
Troy earned a B.A., Business Administration degree from the University of Washington and currently resides in Northeast Denver with his wife and two young children.
Brian Regueiro
Bond Market 2024 Forecast
Tuesday, January 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Director – Public Finance
Huntington Capital Markets
Brian Regueiro leads the central and southern Ohio and western Pennsylvania public finance coverage for Huntington Capital Markets. He has over 10 years of experience in Public Finance and has been with Huntington since April of 2019. He has primarily covered large, frequent municipal bond issuers including the State of Ohio, City of Columbus, Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission, and Hamilton County among others. Additionally, he has covered higher education and healthcare borrowers including UPMC, OhioHealth, Cleveland Clinic, Summa Health, University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State University, Denison University, and Oberlin College among others. Since joining Huntington, he has also worked with developers and other private entities that utilize public incentives in bond financings.
Brian earned his M.S. degree in Financial Engineering from Kent State University and his B.S. degree in Actuarial Science from Ohio State University. Brian holds Series 50, 52, 53, 54, 63, and 79 licenses.
He lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and 3 daughters.
Jane Ridley
Bond Rating Roundtable
Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Senior Director & Sector Leader
S&P Global Ratings
Jane is a Senior Director and the Local Government Sector Leader in the Americas Public Finance (APF) U.S. Government Group. Prior to her role as a Sector Lead, Jane was the Analytic Manager for the Midwest local government group for nine years. She has been with S&P Global since 2001.
In her role as a Sector Lead, Jane’s scope encompasses the entire U.S. local government market. Her areas of expertise include distressed credits, the impact of federal policy changes on local governments, and how broader economic pressures create credit stress at the local level. During her tenure at S&P Global, Jane has worked with issuers throughout the country and served as the primary analyst for the city of Detroit through its historic bankruptcy. She is a member of S&P Ratings’ North American Credit Conditions Committee, sharing insights and expectations for the U.S. Public Finance market with practice representatives across all asset classes.
Before joining S&P Global, Jane was a Vice President in the Municipal Securities Group at Banc of America Securities, and an analyst at PaineWebber.
Jane is a member of the debt committee for the Government Finance Officers Association. She is also a member of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts and is the founder and president of its regional MARMOT (Municipal Analysts of the Rocky Mountains) chapter.
Jane is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Nicholas Rizzo
Bond Rating Roundtable
Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Senior Analyst
Fitch Ratings
Nick Rizzo is a Senior Analyst for the MidAtlantic Local Governments Ratings Team at Fitch. Nick covers credits primarily in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina and is involved with economics and cybersecurity research reports at Fitch. Nick joined Fitch in 2019 and holds a BA in Economics and Philosophy from Fordham University.
Edward J Rojas
Exploring New IIJA Bond Categories
Tuesday, September 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP
Barnet Sherman
AI & Bonds
Tuesday, May 21, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Senior Managing Partner, The Tenbar Group
Boston University
Barnet Sherman is passionate in his belief that governments, businesses, and entrepreneurship can have a transformative, positive impact on communities. Over his 30 years as an institutional investor managing multibillion-dollar municipal bond portfolios at Morgan Stanley and TIAA, he directly financed hundreds of projects nationwide, from senior living to economic development to broadband. He has seen first-hand the positive economic impact of these projects benefiting dozens of communities. From this experience, he is widely regarded as a subject matter expert in his field. Correspondingly, Mr. Sherman founded The Tenbar Group in 2016. With mission-driven clients from NYSE-listed companies to private equity funds to startups, he provides advice to Boards and C-suite executives on maximizing economic impact for all stakeholders. He has also served as a Director and Advisor on numerous Boards, both for-profit and nonprofit. As a Senior Contributor to Forbes.com for over a decade, with nearly 100 articles with numerous “Editor’s Pick” commendations and other business writing awards, his thinking has been sought by and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, INC, Chronicle of Higher Education, Businessweek, Barron’s, and CNBC. Over the last few years, his focus has been on technology and its effect on the capital markets. Also a Professor at Boston University, he offers graduate students in his Multinational Finance & Trade and Corporate Finance courses practical, professional-world insights on these complex topics. You can find his Official Boston University Faculty website here. He is an Eagle Scout as well as a lifetime member of the Eagle Scout Association. He credits being a former Congressional Aide as a formative experience. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Mr. Sherman earned his undergraduate degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, where he was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. His Master’s in Public Administration is from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University
Mitchell Smith
Economic Development & Bond Finance
Tuesday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Government Affairs Program Manager
Sunnova Energy Corporation
Mitchell Smith is the Senior Director of Government and External Affairs at the Council of Development Finance Agencies. In this role, he manages CDFA’s federal legislative advocacy efforts and facilitates education on federal finance opportunities, tax-exempt bonds, and the State Small Business Credit Initiative.
Previously, Mitchell worked for the Ohio Legislative Service Commission on the education research team and served as the committee staffer for the House of Representatives Primary and Secondary Education Committee. There, Mitchell drafted legislation and completed legal research on behalf of the Ohio General Assembly. He also taught American History at Ohio University from 2013-2017.
A native of Bentonville, Arkansas, Mitchell attended the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, where he received his B.A. in American Studies and Political Science in 2009 and was a punter for the Razorbacks. He went on to complete his M.A. in American History and then relocated to Ohio University to complete a Ph.D. in American History.
Gregory Sobel
AI & Bonds
Tuesday, May 21, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Assistant Vice President - Analyst
US Public Finance Group Moody's Investors Service
Gregory Sobel is an Assistant Vice President - Analyst on the Eastern Local Government Ratings Team. He is the lead analyst for Pennsylvania local governments and helped establish an analytical framework for evaluating environmental, social, and governance risks for school districts across the U.S. He sits on the Charter School Ratings Taskforce and Cybersecurity Taskforce, and is a representative for the US Public Finance Group on Moody’s decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital assets working group. Prior to joining Moody's, Gregory managed a portfolio of hedged energy disbursements for a boutique energy procurement and management firm working with third party real estate management companies and worked as a Constituent Relations Representative for the New York State Senate. He holds a Master of Arts in Economics from University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, where he also completed his undergraduate studies
Sean Stein Smith
AI & Bonds
Tuesday, May 21, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Professor
City University of New York – Lehman College
Sean is a professor at the City University of New York – Lehman College. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance, where he chairs the Accounting Work Group. Sean sits on the Advisory Board of Gilded, a cryptoasset payment firm, and serves as a Strategic Advisor to the Central Bank Digital Currency Think Tank. He has a weekly column with Forbes, in the Crypto & Blockchain vertical. Sean is also the immediate past chairperson of the NJCPA's Emerging Technologies Interest Group (#NJCPATech), where he hosts the NJCPA TechTalk Podcast, and is the President-Elect of the NYSSCPA Manhattan-Bronx Chapter. Sean has guest lectured at over a dozen universities in the United States, including multiple institutions ranked in Top #25 overall, and has delivered lectures and training to Top 10 accounting firms, the PCAOB, and the FDIC. He is a Visiting Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, with a book due out in 2022. Sean is a sought after speaker on the topic of crypto and blockchain, and is an award winning researcher.
Mike Steinbrook
Impacts of Inflation on Bond Yields, Arbitrage, and Rates
Tuesday, June 18, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Director of Arbitrage & Tax Compliance Group
PFM Asset Management
Mike Steinbrook joined PFM Asset Management in 2004 as an arbitrage rebate analyst in the Harrisburg office and was promoted to director in 2014. Mike is the director of the firm's Arbitrage and Tax Compliance Group, managing client relationships nationally including arbitrage rebate compliance services provided to participants in the local government investment pools (LGIPs) for which the firm serves as investment advisor. Mike is responsible for business development and client management efforts, staff development, internal and external training, quality control and developing the methodologies, approaches and strategies utilized by the group. Mike has prepared and reviewed thousands of analyses including arbitrage rebate and yield restriction calculations, spending exception analyses, cash flow analyses, transferred proceeds calculations, commingled funds analyses, variable-rate yield computations, liability optimization strategies, and other arbitrage related services. He also assists issuers in the development and implementation of post-issuance compliance policies and procedures and investment strategies for tax-exempt bond proceeds. Additionally, Mike is the leader of the firm’s verification practice, providing verification agent services for refunding and defeasance escrow transactions. Mike provides on-site group and individual client staff training regarding arbitrage rebate and post-issuance compliance and is a frequent speaker at conferences.
Craig Teamer
Exploring Common Bond Reserve Funds
Tuesday, December 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Director of Finance & Special Projects
Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Craig L. Teamer currently serves as Director of Finance & Special Projects for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. In this role, he manages several of the Port’s innovative financing programs, including the Northwest Ohio Bond Fund (NWOBF), the Diversified Contractors Accelerator Program (DCAP), the Northwest Ohio Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), and the Toledo Microenterprise Development Initiative (TMDI). Craig received his BBA in Finance from The University of Toledo in 1998 and his Executive MBA from Bowling Green State University in 2004. Craig has worked in the corporate finance/banking industry for over 25 years. Most recently, he worked as a Senior Treasury Analyst for The Andersons, Inc. Previously, he served as an Assistant Vice President at Huntington National Bank in the Special Assets Division. Prior to that, Craig served as a commercial lender at Fifth Third Bank and KeyBank and has held various finance positions at Dana Corporation. Craig is a 2022 graduate of the CDFA Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program.
Patricia Trlak
Impacts of Inflation on Bond Yields, Arbitrage, and Rates
Tuesday, June 18, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Senior Vice President
The Bank of New York Mellon
As a seasoned Client Executive in BNY's Public Finance sector, Patricia brings over 30 years of expertise in Corporate Trust. She specializes in municipal debt issues for public sector clients and her extensive experience spans multiple regions. Following a successful start to her career at SunTrust Bank in Orlando, Florida, Patricia progressed to an Operations Manager role at Trust Company Bank in Atlanta, Georgia, ultimately bringing her expertise to BNY. Now based in Chicago, Patricia continues to deliver exceptional service to her clients, leveraging her deep understanding of the Corporate Trust industry.
A graduate of Florida State University, Patricia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics which has provided a strong foundation for her successful career in finance. With her wealth of knowledge and commitment to client satisfaction, Patricia is a valued member of the BNY team, dedicated to helping public sector clients achieve their financial goals.
Kristopher Wahlers
Navigating ESG in the Bond Market
Tuesday, July 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Partner
Ice Miller LLP
Kip Wahlers has more than two decades' experience in the field of public finance, economic development and public law. Kip has represented state and local governments at all levels as bond counsel and has also served as underwriters' counsel, bank counsel and counsel to private sector entities doing business with government.
Kip's experience includes financings and projects with port authorities, counties, municipalities, townships and school districts. Kip also advises clients on public records issues and ethics issues.
Kip has authored legislation relating to financing programs in Ohio and elsewhere, including tax credits, loan programs and amendments to legislation establishing new community authorities and authority for impact facilities. He has assisted private companies in obtaining incentives from state and local governments, including tax incentives, tax abatements and tax increment financing.
Larry Wiemer
Economic Development & Bond Finance
Tuesday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Executive Director
Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority
Larry Wiemer serves as the Executive Director for the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA). He began in that role in March 2022. Prior to this position, Larry held several senior level finance positions including Treasury Director/Chief Investment Officer of Marshfield Clinic Health System, as well as Sr. Director of Finance for Aurora Health Care. As either an issuer or borrower, Larry has been involved in over 50 tax-exempt bond deals, totaling over $3 billion dollars. Larry started his career with the Milwaukee office of KPMG and is a certified public accountant (license is inactive). Larry earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
James Young
Bond Rating Roundtable
Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Exploring Common Bond Reserve Funds
Tuesday, December 17, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Senior Vice President | Relationship Manager
The Bank of New York Mellon
James joined The Bank of New York Mellon in February 2010; he joined the Northeast Public Not For Profit Group in January 2012 as a Client and Business Development Relationship Manager. James has more than 15 years’ experience in the Corporate Trust Industry.
James has had experience with Corporate Finance accounts, Municipal Debt transactions, Tax-Exempt Financing, Private Placements, and complex escrow accounts.
James has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University. He is also a Certified Corporate Trust Specialist (CCTS) from the Institute of Certified Bankers, and a graduate of the Cannon Financial Institute’s Corporate Trust School.
Zeyu Zhang
Bond Market 2024 Forecast
Tuesday, January 16, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
AI & Bonds
Tuesday, May 21, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Impacts of Inflation on Bond Yields, Arbitrage, and Rates
Tuesday, June 18, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Zeyu Zhang is the Manager of Resources & Content in the Knowledge & Networks Division of the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Her focus areas include bond, infrastructure finance, energy, PACE, and P3. She contributes to the team by managing federal programs, conducting research on development finance-related topics, generating reports, and performing data analysis.
Zeyu received her Ph.D. degree in Mass Communication at Ohio University in 2021. She has expertise in media studies, research designs, and data analysis. She has a Master’s degree in Digital Storytelling from Ball State University. Prior to joining CDFA, she worked as a researcher, instructor, research assistant, and program assistant. She is excited to advance her career by deepening her knowledge in the field of development finance.