Mike Warne

Building Trust in Public Finance with Ben Mendenhall (Ep. 3)

By Untapped Synergy | June 3, 2026

What does it really take to build something meaningful in public finance, especially when the safer option is staying where you are? In this episode of Untapped Synergy, Ben Mendenhall shares the realities of leadership, entrepreneurship, governance, and trust in Colorado’s public sector finance world.

In this episode, Michael K. Warne, AAMS®, and Tracy Powell-Warne talk about entrepreneurship, reserve management, governance, leadership, and the evolution of Colorado public finance with Ben Mendenhall, Managing Director of Centennial Government Advisors and operator of the Centennial State Liquid Investment Pool (CSLIP).

Mike, Tracy, and Ben discuss:

Why governance and strong reserve policies are critical for Colorado municipalities and special districts
The fear of change that many finance directors and boards face when evaluating reserve management options
How entrepreneurship impacts leadership, family life, decision-making, and long-term vision
Why humility, patience, and discipline matter when building something from the ground up
The importance of serving taxpayers through relationship-driven public finance practices instead of transactional models
And more!

Connect with Michael K. Warne:

Synergy Capital
LinkedIn: Michael K. Warne
mike@synergy-colorado.com
Phone: (970) 837-3088

Connect with Tracy Powell-Warne:

Connect with Ben Mendenhall:

About our Guest:

Ben Mendenhall is the Managing Director of Centennial Government Advisors and the operator of the Centennial State Liquid Investment Pool (CSLIP). A Colorado native with nearly two decades of experience in public finance, Ben has worked across institutional bond trading, local government investment advisory, and investment pool oversight. Throughout his career, he has partnered with municipalities, counties, school districts, and special districts across Colorado to support reserve management, governance, and investment strategy. Ben launched Centennial Government Advisors in 2024 with a focus on delivering relationship-driven service, operational transparency, and long-term stewardship for Colorado public entities.

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The Purpose Behind Synergy Capital (Ep. 2)

By Untapped Synergy | March 24, 2026

What happens when you step away from big institutions and build something intentionally from the ground up? This episode pulls back the curtain on the purpose, pressure, and partnerships behind Synergy Capital.

In this episode, Michael K. Warne, AAMS®, and Tracy Powell-Warne talk about the story behind Synergy Capital, why the firm was created, and how their approach to serving both private clients and public entities is different by design.

Mike and Tracy discussed:

How the name “Synergy” came to life and what it represents
The early days of building the firm and what organized chaos really looked like
Why serving Colorado towns and special districts became a core focus
The difference between supporting private clients and managing public reserve assets
How trust, relationships, and long-term thinking shape their work
And more!