2026 Summer Newsletter

President's Report

GGFOA Members,

As summer settles in, I hope you are finding opportunities to recharge and enjoy time with family and friends. While this season often brings a welcome change of pace, it is also a time when many of us begin preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the new fiscal year. As this newsletter is published, I will be attending the annual conference of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), joining finance professionals from across the country to learn, share ideas, and explore the issues shaping our profession. I look forward to bringing back new insights and best practices that can benefit GGFOA members and the communities we serve.

July also marks the opening of registration for the GGFOA Annual Conference in Savannah. Our Conference Planning Committee is putting together an outstanding program filled with timely educational sessions, networking opportunities, and practical resources for finance professionals at every stage of their careers. I encourage you to make plans now to join us this October as we come together to learn, connect, and strengthen our profession.

Thank you to our volunteers, presenters, partners, and members whose dedication makes GGFOA a valuable resource for government finance professionals across Georgia. I wish you a safe and enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing many of you in Savannah.

Ashlan Webb
President, GGFOA

Help Us Celebrate Our Retiring Members

Know a GGFOA member who is retiring? Help us celebrate their contributions to public finance and public service through our new Legacy in Public Finance Recognition Initiative. Retiring members may be featured in GGFOA communications, including newsletters, social media, and the website.

To nominate yourself or another member, contact [email protected].

Apply Now: 2026 GGFOA Scholarships

Invest in your professional growth with a GGFOA scholarship. Opportunities are available to support conference attendance, certification programs, leadership development, and academic studies in government finance.

Applications are now open. Eligibility requirements and application deadlines vary by program, so we encourage applicants to review the details and apply early.

Learn more and apply today: https://ggfoa.org/Scholarships

Save the date

GGFOA Annual Conference | October 11, 2026 – October 14, 2026

Location: Savannah Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia

Conference registration and the hotel room block open in July—stay tuned for more details!

Trends & Insights

AI Changes the Shadow IT Equation for Governments

By: Jon D. Hightower, CISA, CRISC, CIPT, FAIR | Director, Mauldin & Jenkins

State and local governments have wrestled with the problem of unauthorized devices ever since smartphones, laptops, and tablets gave employees new options for accessing data and systems. This “Shadow IT” issue has long been a concern for security-focused leaders, but the rise of autonomous artificial intelligence agents has turned what was once an annoyance into a significant systemic risk. Unlike standard software, AI agents carry major governance and fiduciary challenges that affect how governments should approach risk management, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.

Government Treasury Teams Deserve Better: The Case for Purpose-Built Technology in Public Finance

By: Greg Person, CTP | Chief Revenue Officer, DebtBook

There is a workforce that sits at the financial foundation of every American community — the government finance and treasury professional. They are often small teams, sometimes a department of one, managing the cash, debt, investments, and compliance obligations of cities, counties, school districts, and public universities. Their work funds the roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, and the emergency services we depend on. And yet, as an industry, we have largely left them behind when it comes to technology.

Government & Public Sector Payment Processing Saving Tips

By: Matt Rej | Managing Partner, Merchant Cost Consulting

Did you know that state and local governments qualify for lower interchange rates?

Whether it’s for tax collections, vehicle registration, government-owned lotteries, permits and licenses, or any other payment collected by an organization in the public sector, there’s a good chance you’re overpaying on credit card processing.

New! GGFOA Corporate Partnership Program

GGFOA's Corporate Partnership Program provides organizations with meaningful opportunities to connect with government finance professionals across Georgia while supporting student initiatives, educational programs, networking opportunities, scholarships, and professional development resources for our members.

We are proud to have eight Premier Partners and one Supporting Partner participating in the program and look forward to continued growth.

Learn more about becoming a GGFOA Partner: https://ggfoa.org/Partners