Letter from the President - May 2025

Dear GFOA WMA Community,

It is with great pride and gratitude that I welcome you to the newly redesigned GFOA WMA

website — a platform we hope you’ll find both informative and inspiring. Our goal is for this site

to serve not only as a source of timely updates and valuable resources, but also as a reflection

of our continued commitment to excellence in public finance.

As with any thriving organization, change is both inevitable and essential to growth. This year,

we mark a significant transition in our leadership. After more than 20 years of dedicated service,

Wilma Matthias is stepping down as our long-serving Treasurer. We are incredibly grateful for

her steady hand and deep commitment to the mission of GFOA WMA. We are pleased to

welcome Anieka Chisolm, Financial Manager within the DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer

(OCFO), who brings valuable expertise and a fresh perspective to the role.

We also extend heartfelt thanks to Paul Lundquist, who has served faithfully as our Board

Secretary for the past six years. Paul has been a vital part of our leadership team, and we are

excited to welcome Nicole Dean, Budget Officer within the DC OCFO, as she steps into this

important position.

We are also proud to expand our scholarship offerings, which now include opportunities for

high school students, graduate students, and career government professionals seeking to

advance their education and impact. These scholarships reflect our belief in nurturing talent at

every stage of the public finance journey.

As we look ahead, we are filled with optimism. We’re hopeful that the last remnants of the

pandemic are behind us and are focused on the strategic growth of our organization. Notably,

Washington, D.C. will host the national GFOA Annual Conference in June 2025 — a

powerful opportunity to showcase the strength, innovation, and talent within our region.

On a personal note, I am honored to now serve on the GFOA National Executive Board, a role

that allows me to represent our region on a national stage and continue advocating for best

practices and excellence across the broader public finance community.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary network. Your engagement and leadership

continue to inspire.

In Partnership,

Rhonda R. Cheatham

President, GFOA WMA