Wolf & Co. Sponsors CCMF

Posted by Melanie James on March 1, 2016

The California City Management Foundation announced that Wolf & Company Inc. has renewed their commitment to supporting the state’s city management community by being a Corporate Benefactor sponsor. Wolf & Company Inc., established in 1993, is a financial advisory firm registered with the SEC and MSRB as a municipal advisor. Wolf & Company provides services to state and local governments, housing finance agencies, insurance companies, mortgage bankers, investment bankers and institutional investors in the area of municipal finance. The President of Wolf & Company Inc. is Wesley R. Wolf. Mr. Wolf has over 35 years of financial and government experience. Wolf & Company is Veteran-Owned and a certified small business with the State of California.

“Wolf & Company’s sponsorship of CCMF demonstrates its continued support of excellence in the city management profession. We are grateful to Wes and the rest of his team for helping us provide the tools and resources our members need to thrive in their roles as local government leaders.” – Wade McKinney, CCMF President

CCMF corporate sponsors enjoy a number of benefits including sponsorship recognition on the CCMF website, access to the CCMF weekly electronic newsletter and invitations to members-only activities and special events at the annual League of California Cities City Manager Department conference. Corporate membership fees start at just $1,500. Click here to learn more.

TSA Launches New Website for Wolf & Co.

Posted by Melanie James on February 29, 2016

Tripepi Smith has delivered a new website for Wolf & Company, a leading provider of financial advisory services to public agencies in California. The new website features a mobile responsive design, basic Search Engine Optimization tools and a simple content management interface that enables easy content updates on the website.

Like all websites created by Tripepi Smith, the new Wolf & Company website is built on the WordPress platform, the most commonly used website content management system (CMS) across the world. This universally-understood CMS ensures that Wolf & Company is not locked into a proprietary platform, while empowering the company with an online toolset that can grow with the firm. In addition to building the website, Tripepi Smith is also hosting the site using its strategic partnership with WP Engine, the most advanced and powerful WordPress hosting solution provider in the market today. WP Engine features routine backups, built-in content caching and unlimited technical support. These features offer turnkey solutions for smaller businesses that want an enterprise presence on the Internet without an enterprise price.

“Tripepi Smith has always been a great marketing partner to Wolf & Company. They understand local government and the team is highly professional and easy to work with,” said Wesley Wolf, founder and principal at Wolf & Company. “Tripepi Smith is my go-to resource for marketing, branding, technical matters and general insights on local government in California.”

Wolf & Company was facing a common scenario with a near-ten-yearr-old website that looked dated and was not taking advantage of the latest trends in web design and services. With the knowledge that every face-to-face meeting resulted in someone vetting his firm by searching the Internet, Wesley Wolf wanted to ensure his online presence matched the professionalism of the service he provided.

“Wolf & Company has a long history of providing services to local government agencies, and I appreciate the trust Wesley Wolf placed in Tripepi Smith by asking us to redesign and reprogram his website,” said Ryder Todd Smith, President at Tripepi Smith. “Wolf & Company joins a long list of private companies serving local government who have chosen to partner with Tripepi Smith for their marketing strategies.”

Wolf & Company Inc. provides municipal consulting services, program administration/oversight and insurance advisory services to state and local governments, housing finance agencies, not-for-profit corporations, insurance companies, mortgage bankers, investment bankers and institutional investors in the tax exempt and taxable municipal market. Wolf & Company is a veteran-owned company and a certified small business with the State of California.

Tripepi Smith is a marketing, technology and public affairs firm located in Orange County, CA. Its clients include for-profit, non-profit and public agencies throughout the state of California. Its unique mix of marketing and technology prowess provide a competitive advantage for organizations seeking to leverage the Internet to achieve their communication goals. The firm also provides full content creation services, including: ghost writing, collateral development, photography, video production, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing campaigns and website design and execution. Tripepi Smith clients include: Rowland Water, Valley Water Company, Bellflower-Somerset Mutual Water Company, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, California Utility Executive Management Association, Climatec Energy Services, California Contract Cities Association, California City Management Foundation,Big Independent Cities Excess Pool, Independent Cities Finance Authority, City of Duarte, City of La Cañada Flintridge,City of Livermore, City of Placentia and City of Norwalk.

La Puente Creates Major Savings with Bond Refunding

Posted by Melanie James on September 9, 2014

The Successor Agency to the La Puente Community Development Commission announced the successful closing of $3.7 million of Tax Allocation Revenue Refunding Bonds. The yield on the bonds was 4.35%.

The 2014 Series A Bonds are being issued to refund the Commission’s 2007 Tax Allocation Bonds. The refunding generated a savings of $1,597,395 million dollars. The 2007 Tax Allocation Bonds proceeds were used to contribute to the cost of constructing some or all of the Youth Learning Center and Community Center.

City Manager David Carmany and Director of Administration Services Robbeyn Bird pursued the 2014 Series A Refunding Bonds, which were able to generate a real dollar savings for the commission. The savings allow them to be able to redistribute RPTTF dollars to other taxing entities such as the County and School Districts, which benefit the community as a whole.

The entireties of the Refunding Bonds were sold on August 29, 2014 to City National Bank. Placement Agent services to the Successor Agency were provided by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. Other members of the financing team included; Casso & Sparks, LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright, Wolf & Company Inc., Willdan Financial Services and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

Executive Interview: Wesley Wolf

Posted by Saara Lampwalla on April 24, 2014

Wesley Wolf is the President of Wolf & Company.

1.Tell us about working as a housing, insurance and financing firm, and the work you’ve done over the years. Who are some of the clients you represent?

I started Wolf & Co. in 1993 and since then we’ve provided services to state and local governments, housing finance agencies, insurance companies, mortgage bankers, investment bankers and institutional investors in the areas of municipal finance. Some of our current clients include the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Cal Rural Home Mortgage Finance Authority, National Homebuyers Fund, the City of La Verne, and the County of San Bernardino.

2. How has the industry changed in California over time? How have new regulations and standards in this area impacted your practice?

The biggest change has been the dissolution of the redevelopment agencies. Now that they have been eliminated it will change how housing financing works in California.

I also feel that the Dodd-Frank Bill will help the financial advising and investment industry become more professional. Things like standardized tests will increase the professionalism of the advisors and brokers.

3. Tell us about a recent accomplishment or success story.

We recently helped refinance a hotel in South Carolina that helped create a lot of jobs. The hotel was able to use the savings from the refinancing for upgrades to the hotel, and that brought a lot of construction jobs to the area.

We’ve also been working with CalVet to help provide veterans with home loans and financing. Its a great service that not enough vets are taking advantage of. We just need to tell the vets who we are and let them know that this service is available to them.

4. How did you come to be focused on housing and financing? Was this an early passion or did you fall into it, and why?

I was a city administrator for the City of Hawaiian Gardens in 1979, and we did a mortgage revenue bond. This was my first experience involving housing and municipal financing, and I thought it was an unique side of city financing. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to switch careers, and go into the financing side.

5. Tell us about a hobby or activity you enjoy outside of work.

My main hobbies are fishing and reading. I enjoy reading history biographies and autobiographies. I’m currently reading a biography on Theodore Roosevelt called “The Bully Pulpit” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

6. Anything else you want to talk about regarding these issues or Wolf & Co. in general?

We pride ourselves on customer service. That’s what separates us from the rest of the financial advisors. We’re in it for the long run. We’re not just there to do the job and be done with it and move on. We’re there to build a long-lasting relationship.

ICFA Brings Experts Together to Find “Housing Programs That Work”

Posted by Melanie James on January 18, 2013

On January 16, the Independent Cities Financing Authority (ICFA) sponsored the half day seminar “Housing Programs That Work in the Post-Redevelopment World” at the Luminarias in Monterey Park. The Seminar featured several distinguished speakers covering topics including mobile park home financing, single-family home ownership and affordable housing strategies. “It was wonderful to see so many of our associates together in one space,” said ICFA Program Administrator Debbie Smith. “It was a unique opportunity to gather great minds and discuss what options are available to the professionals in our industry now that redevelopment has been dissolved. I’m very grateful to our presenters for bringing their ideas.”

After the 2011 passage of AB 26 and AB 27 and the subsequent State Supreme Court decision effectively ending redevelopment agencies, cities found a significant source of funding severed while community demand for such projects was growing in a time of economic fragility. “With the elimination of redevelopment, cities need alternative tools to fuel economic development. ICFA is one of those tools. By providing efficient alternative financing to infrastructure and capital assets that benefit communities, ICFA can be a partner with local governments in their economic development plans. Today’s seminar is focused on a key issue: continuing affordable housing projects. ICFA is taking the lead in bringing city staff and elected official together to innovate city housing programs.” said ICFA President Mike McCormick.

Featured presenters included Pam Newcomb and Janees Williams of the Newcomb De Dios Financial Group, George Turk of Millennium Housing, Vaughn Irons and Chapman Walsh of APD Solutions, John Raymond of the City of Palm Springs, Matt Duke of Avant Strategic Partners, Ryan Warburton, Fredrick Olsen and Preston Olsen of Ballard Spahr, Matt Callahan of Civic Center Home Loans, Walter Zhovreboff of First Home Inc, and Remoun Said of ReNew Real Estate Sales.

“This Seminar shows that those of us that work in the municipal world need to do a better job of sharing ideas that work” said Wesley Wolf, former city administrator and owner of Wolf and Company. The Seminar was followed by a lunch reception where attendees and speakers networked discussed the solutions presented in the Seminars.

Click here to view photos of the event. To learn more about ICFA visit their website at http://www.icfauthority.org

Event: ICFA hosting “Housing Programs That Work” on January 16

Posted by Melanie James on January 11, 2013

On January 16, the Independent Cities Finance Authority (ICFA) will host a half-day seminar titled “Housing Programs That Work in the Post-Redevelopment World.” Event sponsors include Civic Center Home Loans, Avant Strategic Partners, Ballard Spahr, Newcomb De Dios Financial Group, Wolf and Company, Inc. along with media partner Civic Business Journal and associate partners California Contract Cities Association (CCCA) and the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC).

The seminar will feature four presentations by experts in the field and provide an opportunity for attendees to share knowledge and network.

“Designing, Financing and Administering Single-Family Home Ownership Programs” will be presented by Matt Callahan of Civic Center Homes and Realty, Remoun Said of ReNew Real Estate Sales and Walter Zhovreboff of First Homes Inc. The presentation will cover the future of down payment assistant programs, layered financing approaches to help low income buyers, successful strategies for distressed sales and best practices for managing deed- restricted housing stock to preserve long term affordability.

“Current Financing Strategies for Affordable Housing” speakers include Matt Duke of Avant Strategic Partners and Ryan Warburton, Fredrick Olsen and Preston Olsen of Ballard Spahr. The presentation will address the growing need for affordable housing and the financing strategies employed by municipalities and developers to meet these needs.

“Mobile Home Park Financing” will be presented Pam Newcomb and Janees Williams of Newcomb De Dios Financial Group, George Turk of Millennium Housing, and John Raymond of the City of Palm Springs. The presentation will discuss the structuring of nonprofit mobile home park acquisition and demonstrate the advantages of working with ICFA to execute these financings.

An additional address, “Get Home Now,” will be presented by Vaughn Irons and Chapman Walsh of ADP Solutions. The Get Home Now initiative is designed to help you sell your REOs and other real estate faster and more easily with less time and effort.

“Housing Programs That Work in the Post-Redevelopment World” begins at 9 am at the Luminarias in Monterey Park. Last minute RSVPs are available online.

Providing the Thread to Help Stitch Together the Fabric of the City Manager Community

Posted by Melanie James on December 21, 2012

So says Jack Simpson, the man behind the twice-a-month City Manager Newsletter. Indeed he does provide a lot of thread.

Jack is a retired city manager. He served the communities of Bellflower, Paramount, Hawaiian Gardens, Cerritos, and Artesia over his career and became known in the Southeast Los Angeles County Gateway Cities municipal world.

Armed with his computer and hundreds of city management friends, Jack toils away in his home office hammering out two editions of the City Manager Newsletter each month. The newsletter is unique among the world of municipal publications in that Jack focuses on the people and personal lives of the city management community. The publication has helped connect friends who otherwise might only see each other at conferences, and kept retired city managers in the loop on the success of their protégés. Readers will not find articles about legislation, city news or public policy matters. “There are plenty of other places for people to read about municipal issues. But there is only one place to read about the personalities behind most city governments.”

“Being a member of the city management community is an honor,” comments Jack. “There are so many great people involved in local government trying to help cities succeed, and I like the idea of these city folks having a way to stay connected when the council meetings are over, the conferences are done and the city hall is dark.”

The newsletter features various themes throughout the year to guide the selection of managers or staff that Jack highlights. Themes have included alumni of graduate programs, staff who have shared experiences at certain cities, or mutual winners of professional awards. The result is a sprinkling of names and the acknowledgements of local government personalities from across California.

Jack’s audience often finds him at conferences and events with a camera in hand, and the photos he takes become content for his newsletter. “People enjoy seeing familiar faces in the newsletter.”

While the City Manager Newsletter is a labor of love for Jack, the travel and productions cost require resources, and private sector sponsors have stepped up with sponsorship money to fund the newsletter. Sponsors receive advertising space on the Trackdown Management web site and in the newsletter, plus each sponsor is highlighted once a year.

“Every time I read that newsletter I learn something new about a friend or business relationship. Jack is doing important work, and I am glad I can help financially as a sponsor. It is a good value,” says Wesley Wolf, of Wolf & Company a long time sponsor of the newsletter, and a former City Administrator.

Fran Mancia of MuniServices has also jumped on the sponsorship bandwagon, “MuniServices appreciates the opportunity to partner with city managers via the California Contract Cities Association, the California City Management Foundation and the League of California Cities. We are also very proud to be a sponsor of the City Manager Newsletter. It is a natural fit and a great resource for our company and the city management community.”

“Sponsors of the City Manager Newsletter by Trackdown are companies that recognize the value of the city manager community and the personal relationships that are a key part of the craft,” says Jack.

Posse members also help support Jack’s efforts. These individuals write a check to Jack in support of his newsletter. Posse members consist of both current and retired city managers, as well as private sector supporters of the city management community.

Trackdown is a featured content provider to PublicCEO.com, and the Picking Up the Pieces section proves very popular. Through Picking Up The Pieces, Jack documents the hiring and retiring activities in the city management world.

You can learn more about the newsletter at www.trackdownmanagement.net and sign up to receive the newsletter for free by clicking here.