In this episode of Where Public Finance Works, we meet Kevin Bueso, Chief Financial Officer at the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Northeastern Illinois. Kevin shares his inspiring journey from Honduras to leading finance operations at one of the country’s largest transit oversight agencies.

Join host Tyler Traudt as he explores Kevin’s strategic initiatives to address the challenges of post-pandemic public transit, the ongoing fiscal cliff, and the role of technology in transforming operations. Kevin discusses the unique challenges the RTA faces as an oversight and funding agency for Chicago’s vast transit system, and how coordination between the RTA and its sister agencies—CTA, Metra, and Pace—is essential for managing public transit services across the metropolitan area.

Kevin also shares his approach to future-proofing his team, encouraging staff to continuously question their methods and think strategically about their roles. His leadership balances innovation with operational efficiency, offering valuable lessons for anyone in public finance, transportation, or leadership.

Featured Guest

Kevin Bueso is the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Deputy Executive Director of Finance, Innovation, and Technology at the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Northeastern Illinois. Kevin is responsible for overseeing the financial strategies and operations of the RTA, providing crucial leadership at a pivotal moment for the region’s transit system. His areas of focus include financial planning, budgeting, treasury operations, IT strategy, and capital project management.

Before joining the RTA in 2023, Kevin served as Chief Financial Officer for McHenry County, where he contributed his expertise in strategic financial management, change management, and succession planning. His extensive background in local government finance spans roles such as Finance Director for the Village of Round Lake Beach and Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Waukegan, where he gained deep experience in fiscal oversight, budget development, and internal controls.

Kevin holds both a Bachelor’s and an MBA in Accounting & Finance from Roosevelt University. He is actively engaged with professional associations and was instrumental in establishing the Illinois Chapter of the Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN). Fluent in Spanish and originally from Honduras, Kevin brings a unique and global perspective to his work in public finance.

Episode Resources

• Earnings Credit Calculator for Treasury & Finance Teams
• Breaking Down the Math Behind Municipal Bonds
• A Treasurer’s Guide to Understanding the Account Analysis Statement

Join us for an insightful episode of Where Public Finance Works, featuring Melissa Moore, the Finance Director for Buncombe County, North Carolina. Host Tyler Traudt explores Melissa’s unique transition from the private sector to public finance, sharing how her analytical background and experience in financial planning have driven meaningful change in local government.

Melissa discusses her journey from Texas to North Carolina, offering a behind-the-scenes look at her strategic approach to financial planning and cash flow management. She explains how Buncombe County is handling growth and public trust challenges, and how her team focuses on maximizing taxpayer dollars through smart cash investments and long-term financial forecasting.

This episode sheds light on the critical role of finance in local government, from managing bond proceeds to planning for future capital projects.

Featured Guest

Melissa Moore is the Finance Director for Buncombe County Government, a role she has held since September 2023. With over 15 years of experience in public finance and local government, Melissa has developed expertise in managing government bonds, overseeing budgetary processes, and fostering financial strategies for municipalities.

Before joining Buncombe County, Melissa served as the Director of Finance for the City of Pflugerville, Texas, where she led financial operations for over two years. Her career also includes positions such as Assistant Director of Finance for the City of San Marcos, Texas, and Finance Program Manager at CPS Energy, one of the largest municipally-owned utilities in the U.S.

Melissa's well-rounded experience in financial planning, debt management, and government budgeting positions her as a leading voice in public finance, ensuring that government resources are allocated effectively to benefit the community.

Episode Resources

• Guide to Liquidity Management Strategies for Treasurers
• From Bond Proceeds to Rebates: The Lifecycle of a Construction Account
• Debt Service Calculator for Tax-Exempt Bonds

In this episode of Where Public Finance Works, we explore the remarkable career of Denise Laussade, a distinguished leader in university treasury operations with roles at both Purdue University and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

Join host Tyler Traudt as he uncovers the deep-seated love for dance and music that has been a guiding force in Denise’s life. These artistic passions have seamlessly intertwined with her career in finance, providing a unique perspective.

Denise’s professional journey spans different industries, from futures trading in oil, gold, and silver at Texaco to handling a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the retail and manufacturing sectors. During her 13 years at Purdue University, Denise served as Director of Treasury Operations, where she oversaw cash management, investment partnerships, and debt issuance. Her tenure there deepened her expertise in municipal debt and compliance, while she played a vital role in maintaining the University’s financial health by freezing tuition rates and optimizing financial strategies.

Denise’s journey then led her to VCU, where she embraced the role of Treasurer. She shares insights into the unique challenges of managing finances in a smaller, more constrained environment, including the innovative establishment of a quasi-endowment to strengthen VCU’s financial stability. Throughout the episode, Denise highlights the importance of innovation, imagination, and adaptability in the world of finance.

Featured Guest

Denise Laussade is a finance professional with a distinguished career in higher education treasury operations. Her most recent role was as Treasurer at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was responsible for managing debt, investments, cash, and collections for a university serving over 30,000 students. Her tenure at VCU was marked by her strategic approach to financial management, which included the innovative use of quasi-endowments to bolster VCU's financial stability.

Prior to VCU, Denise spent nearly 15 years at Purdue University, where she served as the Senior Director of Treasury Operations. At Purdue, she oversaw a broad spectrum of treasury functions, including daily cash management, banking relationships, and credit card services.

In addition to her roles in higher education, Denise has held leadership positions at Darden Restaurants and Dan River Inc., where she honed her skills in corporate finance and strategic planning. Her diverse background and commitment to continuous improvement have made her a respected leader and mentor in the finance community.

Episode Resources:

• Debt Service Calculator for Tax-Exempt Bonds
• Strategies for Financing New Municipal Capital Projects
• Bank Fee Management: Challenges & Insights for Treasury Teams