Karl Cender
president & ceo / partner
Karl Cender has more than 35 years of experience in providing public sector municipal financial advisory services, including 10 years leading the Public Sector Services Group for a regional CPA firm. Karl is a registered municipal advisor principal who has particular expertise in consulting for municipal governments in the area of tax-exempt financing, budgeting, economic development projects, tax increment financing, financial feasibility studies, water, sewer and stormwater utility rate and cost of service studies, and accounting matters – simple to complex. He has been extensively involved in serving governmental units throughout Northwest Indiana.
Karl earned his degree in accounting from Goshen College and is a certified public accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Indiana CPA Society, and is an associate member in the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities. Karl is also a member of National Association of Municipal Advisors, the Valparaiso Community School board, Calumet College of St. Joseph Board of Trustees and chairman of New Creation Business Advocates, a men’s center in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Steve Dalton
partner
Steve Dalton has three decades of professional experience, including small business ownership, real estate, construction and finance. He is a registered municipal advisor principal with the Securities and Exchange Commission and serves our municipal clients on finance-related matters, including bond financing.
Steve specializes in transforming figures and projections into actionable presentations to assist elected officials and other leaders in making confident decisions for annual budgeting, cash flow projections, revenue projections, circuit breaker projections, debt structuring, cost allocation, capital planning and more. Staying current in Indiana’s changing municipal finance landscape is critical, and Steve assists clients in navigating their unique challenges, from circuit breaker caps to compliance and disclosure requirements.
Steve is a former president of the Porter County Builders Association and is an active member of the Northwest Indiana community, having served on the boards for several nonprofit organizations.
Eric K. Cender, CPA
Senior Associate
Eric Cender is a certified public accountant and formerly worked with a Big Four accounting firm in Indianapolis. He has specialized experience in attestation and tax services. Eric works with our municipal clients on finance and accounting-related matters. He earned a degree in accounting at Goshen College where he also played for the college’s tennis team.
Trista Hudson
Senior Associate
Trista Hudson provides financial advisory services to municipal and local governmental units as well as expertise in compliance requirements. She has specialized experience in budget consulting, assistance with additional appropriations and reestablishing cumulative funds.
Trista earned her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and her law degree from the Valparaiso University School of Law. She is a former City Council member for the City of Valparaiso and serves on the Council and Board of Managers for her church.
Daniel K. Dalton
Associate
Daniel came to Cender Dalton after graduating from Purdue University. Daniel will be supporting our municipal clients as an associate on finance and economic development related matters. Daniel is a cross country runner and ran on Purdue University’s cross-country team.
Aaron Finley
consultant
Aaron Finley came to Cender Dalton after graduating from Indiana University and working at a local bank. Aaron will be supporting our municipal clients as an analyst on finance and economic development related matters. Aaron is a cross country runner and was a member of the Indiana Run Club. Aaron is also a cyclist.
Andrew Eickmann
Analyst
Andrew Eickmann joined the Cender Dalton team in the summer of 2023 after graduating from Valparaiso University. As an analyst, Andrew provides support to our municipal clients on finance and economic development related matters. Andrew is actively involved with his church and serves in multiple leadership positions.
Lynelle
Office Manager
As Office Manager, Lynelle Drugan has been ensuring the smooth operation of our office since 2003.