Conference of the County Investment Academy

June 28 - 30, 2021

Embassy Suites Denton Convention Center
3100 Town Center Trail
Denton, TX 76201

For more information, contact Deanna Auert or Nino Miranda at (800) 456-5974.

In-Person Event Safety Guidelines

The Texas Association of Counties is committed to providing a clean and safe experience at meetings and events, and prioritizes the safety and social well-being of all attendees, guests and staff members. We continue to monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Texas Department of State Health Services, local health authorities, and state and local governments for regulations and guidelines. Physical distancing and safety measures have been put into place for currently planned conferences and events.

From the registration desk to meeting rooms, exhibit halls and meals, the Education and Events Services team has developed detailed plans, processes and procedures to help you feel safe.

Due to possible capacity limitations, some conferences may have to limit the number of attendees to accommodate physical distancing guidelines. For more information, please contact Deanna Auert or visit the facility's website for specific safety guidelines pertaining to venues.

How Event Staff Are Keeping You Safe

Event staff will wear protective face coverings and gloves in all public areas of the meeting venue.

Event staff will practice physical distancing with Plexiglas shields and/or face shields at registration desk; place floor markers at registration area, meeting rooms, exhibit halls and food and beverage stations.

Event staff will clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces and provide hand sanitizer for all attendees.

Event staff will conduct a daily symptom assessment of themselves.


Find the full list of guidelines and processes here*.

Embassy Suites Denton Convention Center
3100 Town Center Trl.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 243-3799

Educational Co-Sponsor: McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University.

The Conference of the County Investment Academy brings together investment officers, economists and other experts to discuss the leading influences on the current economy and timely trends in investing. This training is open to all county officials and staff who want to learn more about county investment operations. The annual conference features roundtable discussions by portfolio size to meet your investing needs. Join us for 15 hours of timely public funds investing topics.

Continuing Education/Prerequisites

The McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University is the education co-sponsor of the Conference of the County Investment Academy. There are no prerequisites to attend this program.

Fifteen hours of continuing education are approved for County Investment Academy members. CPAs, auditors, treasurers, clerks, commissioners and tax assessor-collectors may also earn credit toward mandatory continuing education requirements.

County Investment Academy

The County Investment Academy is a partnership between the Texas Association of Counties and the McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University to work together in the planning of education programs for county officials and employees.

  • Membership in the academy is acquired through completion of the Basics of County Investments course or completion of a previous County Investment Officer (CIO) Level I course.
  • Fifteen academy hours per calendar year are required to maintain membership, with five outside hours and five carry-over hours allowed per year.

Registration Fees

Description Early Bird After June 6
County Official or Employee $225 $250
City, School or Special District $280 $305
Nongovernment $500 $500
1-Day Registration, Tuesday, June 29, Only $125 $125

Please make checks payable to the Texas Association of Counties.

Sponsors and Vendors

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please click here or contact Deanna Auert.

Special Services

To ensure that our conference is ADA-accessible to all, please contact Deanna Auert or Nino Miranda at (800) 456-5974 if you need assistance.

Host Hotel

Embassy Suites Denton Convention Center ROOM BLOCK FULL
3100 Town Center Trl.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 243-3799

 Host Hotel Room Cancellations

If you have a room reservation at the host hotel and you need to cancel the reservation, please do not cancel directly with the hotel. Contact Deanna Auert or Nino Miranda at (512) 478-8753 to cancel your host hotel room reservation. This will help move fellow attendees off of the wait list. We kindly request you do not post your reservation on the listserv, as this hinders the wait list management.

The Embassy Suites Denton Convention Center is the host hotel. To receive the $139 single/double conference room rate, call (940) 243-3799 and ask for the “Texas Association of Counties” room block. The Embassy Suites Denton Convention Center is the host hotel. To receive the $139 single/double conference room rate, call (940) 243-3799 and ask for the “Texas Association of Counties” room block. Or click here to reserve your room online.

Please reserve your hotel room before the group rate cutoff of June 6, after which availability and rates are no longer guaranteed.

Parking:

Self-parking: Complimentary

Surrounding Hotels:

Best Western Plus Denton Inn & Suites
2910 W University Dr.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 591-7726

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Denton-Unt-Twu
4482 I-35
Denton, TX 76207
(940) 808-0600

Monday, June 28
5-6:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception (Triangle Ballroom)
Here’s a great opportunity to network with fellow attendees over beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

Tuesday, June 29
11:40 a.m.-1 p.m. Recognition Luncheon  (Quarter/Palomino/Arabian)
All conference attendees are invited to this special luncheon honoring those who have pursued excellence in investment education for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years. Those who completed the Basics of County Investments Course in 2020 and 2021 and are new members of TAC’s County Investment Academy will also be recognized.
Monday, June 28
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration and Information Desk (Kincaid Foyer)
Kincaid Ballroom  
1 p.m. Welcome
1:10-2 p.m.

Banking – Looking Behind the Curtain
We all have a banking relationship, but do we understand why banks do what they do? At the end of the day, they are all the same — yet they are all different. We’ll talk bank shop — products and services — and how they relate to counties and their banking relationships.
Mr. Tim Kreitzer, Senior Vice President Government Banking, Allegiance Bank

2-2:10 p.m. Break (Kincaid Foyer)
2:10-3 p.m.

The Speculation Miscalculation
This session will review some of the behavioral biases that portfolio managers exhibit when making investment decisions during different market cycles. We will examine the impact of these traits on portfolio performance and show the costs and benefits to employing strategies outside of a cash flow or asset-liability-based method. The session will also discuss appropriate investing techniques based on asset/liability management and steps to develop an appropriate, long-term strategy for a public institution.
Mr. Jason Klinghoffer, CFA, Director, Debt Capital Markets, Mischler Financial

3-3:05 p.m. Stretch Break
3:05-3:55 p.m.

The Speculation Miscalculation (continued)
This session will review some of the behavioral biases that portfolio managers exhibit when making investment decisions during different market cycles. We will examine the impact of these traits on portfolio performance and show the costs and benefits to employing strategies outside of a cash flow or asset-liability-based method. The session will also discuss appropriate investing techniques based on asset/liability management and steps to develop an appropriate, long-term strategy for a public institution.
Mr. Jason Klinghoffer, CFA, Director, Debt Capital Markets, Mischler Financial

3:55-4:10 p.m. Break (Kincaid Foyer)
4:10-5 p.m.

The Thief In Your Organization
This presentation will go over the impact of fraud within an organization and cover how to detect and deter it. The presentation also includes several case examples, including current trends in the fraud industry. At the end of this session, attendees should be able to identify high-risk areas within their organization.
Ms. Missy Pope, Founder and Principal, Pope Consulting

5-6:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception (Triangle Ballroom)
Here’s a great opportunity to network with fellow attendees over beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

Tuesday, June 29
7:30-8 a.m. Coffee and Continental Breakfast (Kincaid Foyer)
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration and Information Desk (Kincaid Foyer)
Kincaid Ballroom  
8-8:50 a.m.

The Common Financial Threats & Risks – Cyber and Privacy Risk Management in Managing County Public Funds!
In today’s financial landscape, do you know some of the common Cybersecurity and Privacy risks your office may face? This session will provide an overview of some common risks, threats and how to manage and mitigate them with some cyber security and privacy best practices.
Mr. Jonathan Turner, Associate Director, IT Services, Texas Association of Counties

8:50-9:40 a.m.

Understanding Investment Pools
Are all investment pools the same? Things to understand about the differences before jumping in will be discussed in this session.
Ms. Susan Anderson, Valley View Consulting, LLC

9:40-10 a.m. Break (Kincaid Foyer)
10-10:50 a.m.

What's Up With the Banks?  They don't want me!
Many public entities are getting only one bank bid currently. The reasons behind it will affect every public entity until we get totally over the impact of COVID-19 and the stimulus. This session discusses why and how you may want to adjust your thinking and banking.
Ms. Linda Patterson, President, Patterson & Associates

10:50-11:40 a.m.

Public Funds Investing: Trivia Game
Come prepared to use your knowledge of public funds investing with this interactive quiz game. Bring you’re A-game to compete in multiple choice questions that are designed to test your knowledge of investment risks, controls and compliance with the Public Funds Investment Act. In addition to bragging rights, the top three winners will receive cool prizes.
Mr. Greg Warner, Senior Portfolio Manager, Director, Hilltop Securities Asset Management
Ms. Kathryn Perry, Senior Vice President, Raymond James

11:40 a.m.-1 p.m.

Recognition Luncheon (Quarter/Palomino/Arabian)
All conference attendees are invited to this special luncheon honoring those who have pursued excellence in investment education for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years. Those who completed the Basics of County Investments Course in 2020 and 2021 and are new members of TAC’s County Investment Academy will also be recognized.

1-1:50 p.m.

Presenting With Credibility and Composure
You’re faced with informing financial decision-makers to achieve sound public policy. Are you confident in your ability to present facts and figures that make sense? Does your information tell a positive story? Or do you have some bad news to deliver? Are you calm? Or do you dread this presentation?
This session will focus on:
• Crafting a narrative with numbers
• Portraying data with clarity and precision
Ms. Christina Moore, Lecturer, Texas State University

1:50-2:10 p.m. Break (Kincaid Foyer)
2:10-3 p.m.

Municipal Debt & Securities 101
This session will cover the process of issuing municipal debt and securities, debt instruments and options available to Texas counties, and recent and upcoming legislative changes that have important implications for the sector.
Mr. Adrian Galvan, COO & Managing Director, Tijerina Galvan Lawrence LLC
Ms. Esther Young, Senior Consultant, Tijerina Galvan Lawrence LLC

3-3:50 p.m.

The Evolution of the Money Market Fund
This presentation will provide a brief history of the money market fund industry past and present as well as a discussion of anticipated changes coming in the next round of reform.
Mr. Christopher Mercy, Portfolio Manager, JP Morgan Asset Management

Wednesday, June 30
7:30-8 a.m. Coffee and Continental Breakfast (Kincaid Foyer)
7:30-11:40 a.m. Registration and Information Desk (Kincaid Foyer)
Kincaid Ballroom  
8-8:50 a.m.

Economic Update
Hear the latest on the economy and what important events are on the horizon.
Dr. William Chittenden, CTP, 2020-2021 Presidential Fellow, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, McCoy College of Business Administration, Texas State University

8:50-9:40 a.m.

Making Sense of Zero Interest Rates
This session explores the causes of zero/negative interest rates and the consequences for investors and the economy.  
Dr. Holland Toles, CFA, Department of Finance and Economics, McCoy College of Business Administration, Texas State University

9:40-10 a.m. Break (Kincaid Foyer)
10-10:50 a.m.

It Ain't Your Grandpappy's Payment Fraud Any More!
This session focuses on cybercrime and payment fraud, and how to prevent losses.  Topics include ransomware, BEC and VEC scams, check fraud, ACH fraud, as well as specific strategies to prevent losses.
Mr. Greg Litster, President, SAFEChecks

10:50-10:55 a.m. Stretch Break
10:55-11:45 a.m.

It Ain't Your Grandpappy's Payment Fraud Any More! (continued)
This session focuses on cybercrime and payment fraud, and how to prevent losses.  Topics include ransomware, BEC and VEC scams, check fraud, ACH fraud, as well as specific strategies to prevent losses.
Mr. Greg Litster, President, SAFEChecks

The McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University is the education co-sponsor of the 2021 Conference of the County Investment Academy

Continuing Education Type Hours
County Investment Academy  15
PFIA   15
CPA/Auditors 15
Treasurers 15
Commissioners 15
County and District Clerks 12:30
Tax Assessor-Collectors 15

All cancellation and refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable). Refunds requested before June 1 are subject to a $10 processing fee. Refunds after June 1 will be subject to an administrative fee equal to one-half of the registration fee. No refund requests will be honored after July 15. Please email Nino Miranda at ninom@county.org or fax (512) 477-1324 to cancel your conference registration.

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