FEI Sacramento Chapter Newsletter | October 30, 2026
Trending News in FEI
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Día de los Muertos: Tequila, Tradition & Connection. We spent the evening honoring a Mexican tradition that celebrates family, remembrance, and life, and the room was full of warmth, color, and great conversation. We're grateful to our members and guests for raising a glass with us, and to the California Chamber of Commerce for being such generous and welcoming hosts.
A special thank you to Melanie Shelby, founder of Enelalma Tequila, who covered tequila's history and heritage and how it's made. She also gave a candid look at what it takes to build a spirits brand, including raising capital, managing production and distribution, and attracting and keeping talent while competing with larger, established employers.
We have more engaging evenings like this one coming up. Check out our events calendar to see what's next, and follow FEI Sacramento on LinkedIn for event news, highlights, and chances to connect with fellow finance leaders.
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Election Day Fallout: Let’s Discuss It Together!
Election Day is almost here, and once the votes are counted, California businesses will have to deal with the results right away. New leaders, ballot measure outcomes, and a changing balance of power in Sacramento will shape the next legislative year. For finance executives, the effects reach budgets, workforce planning, compliance, taxes, and long-term strategy. Whoever wins, every California employer will feel it.
On November 17th, FEI Sacramento meets at the California Chamber of Commerce for an interactive discussion to make sense of what just happened. Liz Snow, CalChamber Senior Vice President of Political Affairs, and John Myers, CalChamber Senior Vice President of Communications and External Affairs, will talk through the results as a conversation rather than a lecture.
Liz brings years of experience inside state government and advocacy. John brings almost three decades of covering California politics, including time as Sacramento bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times. Together they will explain what the results mean, how the business community is responding, and what employers should watch as the new session begins.
The evening is built for real dialogue. Attendees can connect with peers over dinner and drinks before the program. After the discussion, a dedicated Q&A lets them bring their own questions about policy, risk, and planning straight to the speakers. The conversation then continues over dessert, with time to compare notes with other finance leaders working through the same uncertainty. Seats are limited, so reserve yours before registration closes.
Beyond the Ballot: California’s Post-Election Business Landscape will be held at the California Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, November 17th, from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm Pacific.
FEI Sacramento Members & Partners: Free | Non-Members: $50 | Registration: Here
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2026 FEI Corporate Financial Reporting Insights (CFRI) Conference - Next Month!
FEI's Corporate Financial Reporting Insights (CFRI) Conference is built for Controllers, Chief Accounting Officers, and senior financial reporting professionals navigating the most consequential regulatory and reporting developments of the year, with direct insight from the SEC, FASB, and PCAOB alongside leading practitioners.
From AI-driven controls to evolving disclosure requirements, today's financial leaders need more than updates; they need context, clarity, and a shared understanding of what comes next. Held annually in late fall, CFRI convenes current and former regulators, standard setters, and senior financial executives in a single, CPE-accredited virtual program.
CFRI draws an influential audience across organizations of all sizes, with particularly strong attendance from professionals at recognized companies across the Fortune 100 and Fortune 500.
FEI's Corporate Financial Reporting Insights (CFRI) Conference will be held virtually from November 10-12.
FEI Sacramento & Other FEI Members: $995 | Non-Members: $1,195 | Unlimited Company Registrations: $9,995 | Registration: Here
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Nominate Yourself or Another Woman CFO by November 7th
There's still time to recognize an outstanding finance leader. FEI Silicon Valley has extended the nomination deadline for its Women CFOs of the Year Awards to November 7th, so you can nominate yourself or a woman CFO whose leadership deserves recognition. To submit a nomination, fill out the form.
The awards are a highlight of the FEI Silicon Valley calendar every year, and the chapter always does a lovely job with them. The celebration at Green Hills Country Club is well worth attending in person to honor this year's finalists and cheer on the winners.
4th Annual Woman CFO of the Year Awards Dinner will be held at the Green Hills Golf & Country Club on Wednesday, November 18th, from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Pacific.
FEI Sacramento Members & Partners: $275 | Non-Members: $275 | Registration: Here
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Network with Other Senior Financial Executives
Senior finance leadership can be isolating. The challenges that matter most are often too sensitive to discuss inside your own company and too specific for a general conference session. The Financial Officers Forum, hosted jointly with FEI Silicon Valley, gives CFOs, Controllers, VPs of Finance, consulting CFOs, and advisers a confidential space to talk candidly with peers who understand the pressure because they face it too.
Participants shape the agenda, so the conversation centers on what's happening in their work right now. That might be a difficult client situation, a new software decision, how to put AI to practical use, or a scenario no playbook quite covers. Because the forum meets quarterly, these conversations build over time. Members can test ideas, compare approaches, and come back to see what worked.
The connections last well beyond the meeting. Forum participants build a trusted network they can turn to between sessions for a second opinion, a referral, or advice from someone who has already solved the problem. Join us at the next Financial Officers Forum on November 20th and see what candid peer exchange can do for your leadership.
Financial Officers Forum will be held virtually on Friday, November 20th, from 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Pacific.
FEI Sacramento Members, Other FEI Members, and Non-Members: Free | Registration: Here
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U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: Shipper Costs Hit Five-Year High As Freight Demand Stalls
U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: Shipper Costs Hit Five-Year High As Freight Demand Stalls.
U.S. shippers continue to pay more to move freight even as shipment volumes remain largely unchanged, according to the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Third-quarter shipper spending surged 32.1% from a year ago, marking the largest annual increase since 2021, primarily driven by tightened carrier capacity and diesel prices climbing over $6.50 per gallon nationally.
National shipment volumes increased both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year for the first time since 2021, but the gains were modest at 0.4% and 0.5% respectively.
“What makes this quarter notable is that outlays are rising much faster than freight volumes,” said Bob Costello, senior vice president and chief economist at the American Trucking Associations. “Freight demand remains uneven, but companies are encountering tighter truck capacity, higher fuel costs and stronger carrier pricing power. As a result, shippers are spending substantially more to move essentially the same amount of freight.”
Regional results underscore a divided market. Learn more. Read U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: Shipper Costs Hit Five-Year High As Freight Demand Stalls.
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FEI Sacramento Member of the Week
Francine Coker
Francine Coker is Controller at Advanced Integrated Pest Management, bringing extensive experience in finance, business operations, and administration. Her career with Advanced IPM spans customer service, office management, and financial leadership, including serving as Director of Finance since 2012.
Previously, Francine served as Director of Business Operations at North American Home Services. Her progression through operational and finance roles brings a broad business perspective to her leadership. She studied Accounting at Sierra College.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/francine-coker-67b42a168/
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FEI Sacramento Partner of the Week
U.S. Bank, the Minneapolis-based company, serves millions of customers locally, nationally, and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate and Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services.
The company has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies® and one of 2023 Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ and No. 1 Superregional Bank. Union Bank, consisting primarily of retail banking branches on the West Coast, joined U.S. Bancorp in 2022. Learn more at usbank.com/about.
CONTACTS:
Brian C Dean
Senior Vice President | Sacramento & Central Valley Market Leader
916.498.3853 | c. 916.628.0032
[email protected]
621 Capitol Mall, Suite 800, Sacramento, CA 95814
Jacqui Schinnerer
VP | Commercial Relationship Manager
Northern California Commercial Banking
p. 916.498.3455 | c. 916.233.9266
[email protected]
Mason Shipley
Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager
[email protected]
www.usbank.com
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