Karl J. Cender, C.P.A.

President & CEO

Karl’s experience includes over 35 years providing public sector municipal and financial advisory services His primary experience includes financial advisory consultation services to municipal, educational and utility organizations in the area of tax-exempt financing, budgeting, economic development projects, tax incremental financing, financial feasibility studies, water, wastewater and stormwater rate and cost of service studies.

Karl’s particular focus has been serving municipal, educational and public sector entities. He has provided a variety of services to local governmental units within Indiana. Karl is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Indiana CPA Society and an associate member in Accelerate Indiana Municipalities, treasurer for New Creation Business Advocates Inc., a men’s center for homeless and displaced men, school board member for the Valparaiso Community Schools and board of trustee member of Calumet College of St. Joseph College, Hammond, IN. Karl is a registered Municipal Advisor (MA) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cender & Company is a member of the National Association of Municipal Advisors. 

Steve Dalton

Principal

Steve joined Cender & Company 9 years ago with a wide range of experiences in small business ownership, real estate, construction, and finance. He became a partner in the firm in 2019.

He is a registered Municipal Advisor (MA) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as such works with our municipal clients on all finance related matters including bond financing.

Steve’s approach is atypical in the municipal finance industry, bringing figures and projections into a more actionable presentation in order to assist elected officials in decisions, both in person and in report form. With effort invested in annual budgeting, cash flow projections, revenue projections, circuit breaker forecasts, debt restructuring, cost allocation, and capital investment planning; his goal is to help the decision makers understand first and decide second.

Indiana’s municipal landscape finance landscape has changed dramatically with circuit breakers and an increased focus on continuing disclosure to investors and and increased reliance on local income taxes. Annually municipal entities must react to changes in State compliance and new legislation. These challenges are the focus of Steve’s consulting and advice.

Steve and his wife Julie live in Valparaiso, Indiana where they maintain an active role in the community.

Nicole Wolverton M.B.A.

Senior Associate

Nicole came to Cender & Company with a diverse background in non-for-profits, public and private sector accounting, and local government experience over the last decade. Her primary focus is on municipal accounting including school corporations, internal controls, day-to-day operations and procedures, and other accounting services. With the opportunity to work closely with several school corporations, Nicole has developed an expertise in financial reporting for the Indiana Department of Education and other Federal and State entities.

Nicole and her family live in Northwest Indiana where they are currently very active in the sports
community along with their children. She currently serves as Treasurer to the Town of
Schererville Baseball League.

Trista Hudson

Associate

Trista is the newest team member of Cender & Company. She is a graduate of Valparaiso University.  Trista came to us after serving many years in the legal field; and is a former member of the Valparaiso City Council. Trista is bringing her critical thinking / problem solving skills to municipal financial advising clients of Cender & Company.

Trista spends her personal time maintaining a leadership role at her church and coaching youth sports in the region.

Lynelle

Office Manager

Lynelle is the backbone to Cender & Company as the office manager. Lynelle is a long standing employee of Cender & Company with a residency of 17 years.