New Galveston chief financial officer credits mentor for role

The city of Galveston has appointed Csilla Ludanyi as its new chief financial officer (CFO), succeeding the retired Mike Loftin. Ludanyi officially assumed the position on October 1st after working alongside Loftin for much of the year. In a video, Ludanyi expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Loftin, stating, "It's very rare to get an opportunity to step into a role where the person who's been in it and respected and has created such a good environment is there to coach you and to have you whole after training you."

Ludanyi revealed that she learned from Loftin while studying at the University of Houston (UH). She also played a significant role in the finance department, assisting in the preparation and presentation of the fiscal year 2024 budget to the city council. Additionally, Ludanyi helped identify city priorities and implemented budgetary changes through collective bargaining with the Galveston Police Department (GPD) and Galveston Fire Department (GFD). She also collaborated with the Galveston Park Board of Trustees on their budget and worked with the Port of Galveston on a proposed bond sale.

Before joining Galveston, Ludanyi served as the director of the finance department in Nassau Bay for 13 years. Her experience and expertise in finance make her a valuable addition to the city's leadership team. With Ludanyi at the helm as CFO, the city of Galveston looks forward to continued financial stability and responsible budget management.