Title: Deputy Director
Firm: State of Florida
Age: 37
Growing up in Florida, Charlie Yadon admits he never gave much thought to how bridges, highways, and other public infrastructure were financed. That changed during an internship with the State of Florida, where he got an inside look at public finance.
After graduating, Charlie wanted to broaden his perspective on the municipal market. He earned a master's degree in finance and spent four years on Wells Fargo's public finance investment banking team. It provided an outstanding foundation, but he missed working directly on financings rather than pitching them.
Today, Charlie finds the greatest satisfaction in seeing the real-world impact of the transactions he helps execute. One of the most significant was a $3.5 billion financing for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund that created substantial liquidity to help respond to future natural disasters.
Another is even closer to home: Florida State University used debt refinancing for stadium renovations, which he enjoys from his seat as a season ticket holder. In addition to financing, Charlie is exploring how technology and artificial intelligence can improve efficiency and deliver better outcomes for issuers. "Companies are bringing technology tools that can create real, tangible benefits to the municipal market," he says.
Charlie also shares his expertise beyond Florida. He serves on the Government Finance Officers Association's Committee on Debt Management and regularly speaks at GFOA's annual conference, offering insights on Florida credits and municipal market trends. He enjoys traveling throughout the country to meet with investors, bankers, underwriters, and other market participants, broadening his perspective on the evolving municipal landscape.
Ultimately, what motivates Charlie is helping state agencies make the most of every financing opportunity. Whether restructuring existing debt or raising capital for new projects, he takes pride in delivering solutions that maximize taxpayer value and support investments that will benefit Floridians for decades to come.
