The eight members of The Bond Buyer's 2026 Hall of Fame class helped shape not only major financings and institutions, but some of the laws, analytical approaches, market practices and professional networks that underpin municipal finance today.
That influence reflects the breadth of the class itself, with careers spanning banking, public finance law, credit analysis, municipal advisory work, and government finance. Across those disciplines, the honorees have built leading businesses, financed essential infrastructure and invested in the people who followed them, extending their impact well beyond any single deal or organization.
"This year's Hall of Fame class reflects the extraordinary range of ways that individuals can shape municipal finance over the course of a career,," said Mike Scarchilli, Editor in Chief of The Bond Buyer. "Each of these honorees has helped leave the market stronger, smarter and better prepared for the next generation of leaders."
Candidates were eligible across all areas, specialties, and corners of the municipal finance community. Nominees did not need to be partially or completely retired to qualify, but must have been involved in extensive, influential work for such a lifetime achievement honor. All applications were judged by a panel of The Bond Buyer's editorial leadership and a diverse group of municipal finance leaders.
This fifth class of groundbreaking Hall of Fame inductees will speak and be honored at a Sept. 15 dinner in Chicago at the close of
The dinner will also feature an on-stage celebration of
The Bond Buyer's Hall of Fame class of 2026
KYM ARNONE
A pioneering force in municipal finance, Kym Arnone helped develop the roughly $100 billion tobacco securitization sector and, since taking over Jefferies' municipal finance business in 2015, has helped transform the firm into a top-five municipal underwriter. She has also shaped the broader market through her leadership as chair of the MSRB and as a longtime mentor and trailblazer for women in public finance.
FRANK CHIN
Frank Chin helped build Citigroup's municipal finance business into one of Wall Street's dominant franchises, with the firm ranking first in negotiated underwriting nine times during his tenure as head of public finance. A hands-on banker on major infrastructure financings as well as a mentor, Chin helped develop numerous professionals who went on to lead public finance businesses across Wall Street.
RICHARD CICCARONE
Richard Ciccarone has spent decades challenging and refining the way the municipal market evaluates credit risk, helping shape how generations of analysts think about fundamentals, transparency and accountability. His work includes the development of CreditScope and, more recently, research aimed at quantifying the hidden fiscal risks posed by infrastructure and capital-asset obligations.
LEWIS GREENBAUM
Over nearly five decades in public finance law, Lewis Greenbaum helped write the statutes that modernized municipal borrowing in Illinois and drafted the legislation that brought tax increment financing to Washington, D.C. He also served as bond counsel on billions of dollars of major infrastructure financings, including O'Hare Airport's $8.5 billion capital program, where security documents developed under his direction became a national market standard for airport finance.
GARY HALL
Gary Hall's career has spanned nearly every corner of public finance, from Chicago city government and municipal bond law to the U.S. Treasury and investment banking, where he led or participated in more than $50 billion of municipal bond, derivative and credit transactions. Now partner and co-president of Siebert Williams Shank, Hall also made history as the first African American chair of the MSRB and has mentored scores of professionals across the industry.
DAN HUGE
Dan Huge has combined public-sector leadership with deep analytical expertise throughout his municipal finance career, including service as public finance director for the State of Indiana. Known for translating complex financial issues into clear, practical insights, Huge has helped inform decision-making across the municipal market.
RICK KOLMAN
Over a municipal finance career spanning nearly five decades, Rick Kolman oversaw the pricing and execution of more than $100 billion of municipal debt at Goldman Sachs before going on to build and lead municipal businesses at U.S. Bank and Academy Securities. His influence also extended to market structure and industry governance through service on the MSRB and in leadership roles with SIFMA's Municipal Division.
COURTNEY SHEA
Courtney Shea built a wide-ranging career as an investment banker, municipal advisor and public finance leader, helping devise innovative structures including the consolidated rental car facilities at major airports that became an industry standard nationwide. She also helped co-found National Women in Public Finance, creating what the nomination describes as the first professional business organization for women in the industry.
