Recommended Slate of Candidates for the OASBO Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees

3/21/2022

by Melcie Wells
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last two years have been challenging on more levels than can be described. Those working in public schools have been particularly impacted, but, as always, rose to the challenge of making sure we keep teaching our kids and keeping them safe. Managing the finance and operations of schools through the pandemic is a challenge school business officials rose to, and I’m proud of the role OASBO played in leading and helping everyone in the profession. It takes dedicated volunteer leaders on the OASBO OASBO Board of Directors to make sure the organization is meeting the ever-changing needs of our members.

In my final duties as Immediate Past President, I chaired the Nominating Committee, whose job it is to vet and select candidates for the OASBO Board of Directors and OASBO Foundation Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee and I are pleased to share these recommended slates with you in preparation for the vote at the 2022 Annual Conference.

The slates will be presented during the first general session of the Annual Conference on April 11 and will be voted on and subsequently sworn in during the Annual Business Meeting on April 12.

Thank you to the Nominating Committee Members for their time and service in vetting applicants. Committee members who joined me in screening applicants include President-Elect Cajon Keeton; Past Presidents Mark Pepera and Ryan Jenkins; and Professional Member Ann Ferraro.

This rest of this article gives a summary of candidate applications and OASBO leadership involvement.
 
Melcie Wells is the Treasurer/CFO at Warren Locals Schools and OASBO's Immediate Past President.
740.678.2366 ext. 3806 | melcie.wells@warrenlocal.org
 
Click here to review the 2021 Business Meeting Minutes that will have a vote for approval at the 2022 Business Meeting along with the slate of candidate votes.

OASBO Board of Directors Slate of Candidates


Vice President
Todd Puster, Treasurer/CFO, Orange City Schools
Serving a one-year term ending June 30, 2023

Member

• 2007 – Present; 15 years

Board of Directors Positions

• 2006-2008 – Secretary, OASBO Board of Directors

Committee Involvement

• Present: Chair, Editorial Advisory Committee
• Present: Chair, Professional Standards Review Committee
• 2020 – 2021: Chair, ASBO International Committee
• 1998-2001: Chair, Legislative Committee

Chapter/Local Committee Involvement

• 2020 – Present: Northeast Region Representative, Foundation for School Business Management
• 2008-2009: Northeast Region Director, OASBO Board of Directors
• 2000-2004: Five County Chapter Officer
• 2002-2003: Five County Chapter President

Vision for OASBO
OASBO’s members over time have done the hard work of making OASBO the leading provider of professional development for Ohio school business officials. My vision is to sustain those efforts consistent with OASBO’s mission and vision statements. OASBO is in the best position of any organization serving the Ohio education community to enhance the professional knowledge and expertise of Ohio’s school business officials. My vision for OASBO is to maintain the trust of our members and enhance the goodwill earned over time among Ohio’s school business officials.

 
Central Region Director
Kristine Blind, CFO/Treasurer, London City Schools
Serving a three-year term ending June 30, 2025

Member

• 2007 – Present: 15 years

Board of Directors Positions

• 2020 – Present: At-Large Representative (Liason to Food and Nutrition), OASBO Board of Directors

Committee Involvement

• 2020 – Present: Member, Audit Committee
• 2019 – Present: Member, Professional Development Committee
• 2016 – Present; Seminar Director
• 2010 – Present; Seminar Presenter, OASBO
• 2013 – Present: Member, Past Co-Chair, Vice Chair, Professional Development Committee
• 2001 – Present: Member, Ed Finance/ODE Advisory Committee

Vision for OASBO
My vision for OASBO is to continue to develop excellent training for members and be the most trusted source of information for all School Business Officials. I believe OASBO will continue to grow and gain new members as we encourage and attract new individuals into this rewarding field of work. With the growth of the new pathway program and current assessment being developed by Pearson we can promote our field to current school administrators, teachers, and students entering the accounting field.

 
Business Manager Representative
Chad Welker, Business Manager, Twinsburg City Schools
Serving a three-year term ending June 30, 2025

Member

• 2008 – 2013, 2016 – Present: 11 years

Committee Involvement

• 2021 – Present: Member, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
• 2021 – Present: Member; Professional Standards Review Task Force and Business Manager Curriculum
• 2017 – Present: Member, Professional Development, ASBO, and Annual Conference Committees
• 2017 – Present: Co-Chair (2021-22), Member, Business Operations Advisory Committee
• 2017 – Present: Member and Contributor; Editorial Advisory Committee

Chapter & Local Involvement

• 2013 – Present: Member, Ohio Schools Council Advisory Board
• 2017: Member, NEONet Advisory Committee
• 2016 – Present: Founding Trustee, Twinsburg Schools Foundation
• 2006 – Present: Active Member, Northeast Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Summit County, and Ohio Business Manager Network Groups

Vision for OASBO
OASBO is a leading organization in school finance and developing rapidly in Business Operations. My vision is to expand OASBO further into Business Operations so that more Business Managers and Supervisors get significantly involved with the organization. I also envision increasing the diversity of participation in these areas.

 
At-Large Director (Food Service & Nutrition)
Tammi Cowell, Treasurer/CFO, Tri-Rivers Career Center
Serving a three-year term ending June 30, 2025

Member

• 2008 – Present: 14 years

Committee Involvement

• 2020 – Present: Member, Professional Development Sub-Committee – Leadership
• 2020 – Present: Member, Professional Development Sub-Committee – Treasurer/CFO Quarterly Planning Series
• 2019 – Present: Member, Professional Development Committee
• 2012 – Present: Member, (Past Chair, Vice-Chair), Annual Conference Subcommittees

Chapter & Local Involvement

• 2021 – Present: Vice Chair, Career Tech Treasurers Committee 
• 2000 – Present: Cabinet Member and Division Leader, Marion County United Way
• 2000 – Present: Fundraising Chair (Northmor Local Schools), Morrow County United Way
• 2000 – Present: Annual Volunteer/Community Member, Salvation Army
• 2000 – Present: Rotating Member (TRCC), Marion Noon Kiwanis

Vision for OASBO
My vision is for all fiscal office, business managers, and food and nutrition personnel to see the value in our organization and therefore join and become active members of our organization. I would also like to see us continue our efforts on diversity, equity, and inclusion to help grow our organization and gain new members.

 
At-Large Director (Transportation)
Jennifer Sudhoff, Treasurer/CFO, Benjamin Logan Local Schools
Serving a three-year term ending June 30, 2025

Member

• 2007 – Present: 15 years

Committee Involvement

• 2021 – Present: Chair, Professional Development Committee
• 2021 – Present: Member, Professional Standards Review Task Force
• 2020 – Present: Member, Business Operations Advisory Committee
• 2018 – Present: Member, Education Finance/ODE Advisory Committee

Chapter/Local Committee Involvement

• 2020 – Present: Past President, Member, West Central Chapter 
• 2019 – 2020: President, West Central Chapter 
• 2017 – 2018: Vice President, West Central Chapter 
• 2014 – 2015: Northwest Representative, West Central Chapter, Membership Committee
• 2013 – 2017: Treasurer & Secretary West Central Chapter 

Vision for OASBO
I see the need for strong legislative leadership. With updates to ESSER, Maintenance of Equity, and Fair School Funding, OASBO will be leaned upon to provide insight, guidance, and information on new legislation and requirements, which are developing faster than ever. My vision for OASBO is to develop leaders. To elaborate; encourage and engage members and offer opportunities for leadership, communication, and contribution. It is more important than ever for SBO's to be strong, knowledgeable leaders.



OASBO Foundation Board of Trustees Slate of Candidates

Northwest Region Director
Matt Feasel, Treasurer/CFO, Pike-Delta-York Local Schools
Serving a two-year term ending June 30, 2024

Member

• 2007 – Present: 15 years

Board of Directors Positions

• 2012 – 2016: At-Large Member, Foundation Board

Committee Involvement

• 2009 – Present: Member, ASBO International Committee
• 2009 – Present: Member, Education Finance/ODE Advisory Committee
• 2009 – 2013: Member, Professional Development Committee

Chapter/Local Committee Involvement

• 2007 – Present: Member, Northwest Chapter

 
Southeast Region Director
Claudia Zaler, Treasurer/CFO, Waverly City Schools
Serving a two-year term ending June 30, 2024

Member

• 2007 – 2022: 15 years

Board of Directors Positions

• 2021 – 2022: Southeast Region Director, Foundation Board

Committee Involvement

• 2013 – 2014: Member, Insurance Committee

Chapter/Local Committee Involvement

• 2015 – 2018: Chair, Southern Hills Committee 
• 2015 – 2018: Vice President, Southern Hills Committee 

Vision for OASBO
Connect business officials and sponsors to further the education of members of public and private education and increase membership involvement. I believe the Foundation will step into advocacy as well.  Continuing education brings awareness which develops advocacy opportunity.


At-Large Professional
Rob Showalter, Treasurer, Fairview Park City Schools
Serving a three-year term ending June 30, 2025

Member

• 2015 – Present: 7 years

Chapter/Local Committee Involvement

• 2021 – Present: President, Northeast OASBO Chapter
• 2020 – 2021: President-Elect, Northeast OASBO Chapter
• 2019 – 2020: Vice President, Northeast OASBO Chapter
• 2016 – 2019: Member, Northeast OASBO Chapter

Vision for OASBO
My vision for this position would be to first learn the current state of the committee and what values and initiatives are important to them. Once I have been caught up to speed, I would lean on my experience and teamworking skills to help execute those current initiatives, along with brainstorming new ways to expand and improve our footprint, beneficiaries, and fundraising efforts.


At-Large Vendor
Joe Violand, Portfolio Manager, RedTree Investment Group
Serving a three-year term ending June 30, 2025

Member

• 2014 – Present: 8 years, Service Affiliate

Committee Involvement

• 2020 – 2021: Active in OASBO Essentials Course material development

Chapter/Local Committee Involvement

• 2014 – Present: OASBO sponsor, RedTree Investment Group
• 2020 – 2021; Active in local OASBO chapter continuing education

Other Organizational/Community Involvement

• Junior Board Member, The Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky
• Committee Member, Business Advocacy Council, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• Membership Value Committee Member, CFA Society Cincinnati

Vision for OASBO
The world of education is ever-changing, and today’s leaders are tasked with embracing and implementing changes faster than ever before. My hope is to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the OASBO Foundation Board to educate our school leaders to the best of our ability.