Garland, Texas, United States, November 2025 — Allyson Bell Steadman has begun a new chapter in her public-sector leadership journey with her appointment as Chief Financial Officer at the City of Garland. In this role, she serves as the Managing Director overseeing Financial Services, Procurement, and the Budget & Research Departments, guiding financial governance and strategic fiscal operations for one of Texas’ most dynamic and historically rich cities.
Before taking on the CFO position, Allyson served as the Director of Budget & Financial Strategy at the City of Garland, where she played a key leadership role in citywide financial planning. Across nearly seven months, she oversaw the $1.5B combined Annual Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP), led multi-year fiscal modelling, stewarded payroll operations, and partnered with senior leadership on debt issuance strategies and long-term financial sustainability initiatives. Her cross-departmental leadership extended to process improvement boards, internal audit committees, and digital transformation through Workday Financials.
Earlier, Allyson served for more than four years as the Director of Budget & Research, where she led the development, presentation, and administration of the Annual Operating Budget and CIP. She guided departments through strategic planning and fiscal alignment processes, developed long-range cash and debt forecasting models, and oversaw the monthly management dashboard of key citywide indicators. During this time, she earned the Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation, underscoring her expertise in municipal financial management.
Before stepping into director-level roles, Allyson spent approximately two years as Senior Budget Analyst for the City of Garland, where she contributed to analytical modelling, operational budgeting, and financial forecasting. She earlier spent nearly three years as Budget Analyst, building expertise in BRASS, Cayenta, and municipal budgeting practices while supporting several core city operations.
In the foundational years of her public-sector career, Allyson gained hands-on experience through roles at Texas A&M University, the City of North Richland Hills, and Tarrant County, where she strengthened her analytical and research skills across administrative, financial, and operational projects that laid the groundwork for her career in municipal financial leadership.
About City of Garland
The City of Garland is one of Texas’ most vibrant communities—where products, careers, opportunities, and lifelong connections are created. With roots tracing back to the mid-1800s, Garland grew from the agricultural settlements of Duck Creek and Embree into a thriving metropolitan-area city officially incorporated in 1891. Today, Garland offers a high quality of life supported by strong community leadership, excellent educational and workforce development pathways, and a business-friendly environment that attracts companies and families alike.
Steeped in history yet focused on the future, Garland continues to cultivate economic growth, community partnerships, and civic innovation, making it one of the most dynamic cities in the Dallas–Fort Worth region.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
