James Olivo Elected Government Association President

Members of the New York State Government Finance Officers' Association (NYS GFOA)  elected Garden City village auditor James Olivo president for the 2011-12 term at its 32nd annual conference earlier this month.

Olivo's election has historical significance as he is the association's first president to hail from a village.

As president, Olivo presides over all association meetings, makes appointments to various committees, serves as an ambassador of the association while visiting the various regions across the state and is responsible for general oversight of the association and its short- and long-term strategic initiatives.

Olivo is a graduate of Hofstra University, having earned a BA in business administration with an accounting major and an MBA with a management major. He is a past president of the Long Island Village Clerks and Treasurers Association and the New York State Society for Municipal Finance Officers and has served on numerous advisory committees for the state comptroller's office and New York Conference of Mayors, as well as the Nassau Citizens Budget Committee.

He has been with the village since 1977 and has served as Garden City's auditor since 1982.

Kathleen Saville, a finance director in the western New York region for many years, said that early in her career "Jim was a great mentor and role model." Years later, "Jim has become a good friend and respected colleague." She is confident that the NYS GFOA organization will benefit and grow under his leadership.

David Smollett, president of the NYS Municipal Finance Officers, said "Jim is the consummate leader who enjoys sharing his knowledge and is always there to assist and mentor his fellow finance officers. His 30+ years of experience bridging the public and private sectors in the government finance industry will continue to benefit and transform our profession."

NYS GFOA, founded in 1979, is a professional membership association comprised of nearly 1,200 state and local government finance officers and private sector professionals across New York State. Members from the government sector serve as the treasurers, comptrollers, finance managers, clerks, accountants, commissioners, directors of finance, budget officers and other finance staff of municipal governments, state agencies and authorities, colleges and universities, school districts, fire districts and libraries.

Members from the private sector represent law firms, CPA firms, consulting firms, banks, technology companies, financial advisors, underwriters, rating agencies, insurance companies and other industries engaged in public finance.

NYS GFOA seeks to strengthen the capacity of government finance professionals to manage public finances effectively and responsibly and to use the collective knowledge and expertise of its members for the public benefit by enhancing efficiency and accountability throughout New York State.

For more information about the association and membership, visit www.nysgfoa.org or call 518-465-1512.