BASA/OASBO Superintendent and Treasurer Symposium 2023-2024

Katie Johnson is the Executive Director of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials. Katie is the seventh Executive Director and the first woman to lead the organization since its inception in 1936.

Katie was the Deputy Executive Director for OASBO prior to being named Executive Director. In that role, she served as legislative lead and in-house legal counsel for the association, keeping staff and members abreast of legal and regulatory compliance issues in school business. In addition, she has served as the chief learning officer, developing curriculum to support OASBO’s strategic plan and the Ohio school business profession.

Katie also serves on boards and committees focused on public finance, including serving as a member on the Finance and Appropriations Committee for Columbus City School District, as Treasurer of the Confluence Community Authority, and as past President of the Ohio Chapter of Women in Public Finance.

Katie holds a bachelor's degree in Business Finance from the University of Colorado, a master’s degree in Education from The Ohio State University, and a law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Thomas L. Hosler has been a school superintendent for over 20 years, serving as Superintendent of Perrysburg School District for 13 years. Since his start at Perrysburg Schools, he has led the growing district through the passage of four operating levies, two permanent improvement levies, and a bond issue to construct an intermediate school, which opened in Fall 2017.

In 2016, Mr. Hosler helped found the Coalition of Advocates for Pre-K through 16 Education of Northwest Ohio (CAPE-NWO) with a mission to provide a collective voice focused on positive direction, promoting quality education for all students in Northwest Ohio. He serves as a member of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators Executive Committee and is also the Chair for the Alliance for High Quality Education, representing more than 60 high-performing districts in Ohio.

In 2018, Mr. Hosler was awarded the Ohio Superintendent Outstanding Performance Award by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, securing with it a $10,000 grant for the Perrysburg School District. He was also awarded the Exemplary Leadership Award by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators in 2016 and in 2020.

Prior to his appointment in Perrysburg, he served as the superintendent of Huron Schools in New Boston, Michigan for over seven years. Prior to working as a school superintendent, Mr. Hosler served as a high school principal at Addison High School in Michigan, and Associate Principal at St. John’s Jesuit High School

He earned his Bachelor of Education and Master of Education/Educational Administration from The University of Toledo, and his Education Specialist Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. He is a former marathon runner and now avid cyclist. Mr. Hosler and his wife, Robin, have been married for over 28 years and they have four children.

Ryan Pendleton is the Executive Director of the North Coast Shared Services Alliance where he coordinates financial and operations support for northeast Ohio school districts through the Educational Service Centers of Northeast Ohio, Medina, and Lorain Counties.

Ryan is very active in state and federal issues concerning education and the potential impact on the students of Ohio. He is a member of the Fair School Funding Work Group, co-chairing both the Base Cost and Analysis and Support Groups.  As an inaugural member of the Work Group, Ryan made significant contributions to creating and advocating for Ohio’s new state funding formula.  His efforts contributed to the Fair School Funding Formula being included in the 2022-2023 Biennium Budget.

Ryan is a Leadership Akron Class 32 graduate and dedicated to serving the community, in particular the students across Ohio. Prior to working at North Coast Shared Service Alliance, Ryan was the CFO/Treasurer of Akron Public and Barberton City Schools and worked previously as a financial advisor.  

Ryan earned a BA in Business Administration from Malone College and an MBA from Cleveland State University.  

Jenni Logan is the Treasurer/CFO of Sycamore Community City Schools. Prior to this, she was the treasurer/CFO at District Lakota Local School District January 2011 to August 2022.  Before that she was a Director in the Public Finance Department of Robert W. Baird & Co.  Ms. Logan has over 20 years of experience serving school districts in Ohio, which include an ESC, JVSD, CSD, LSD and an EVSD.  She has been involved with several state committees for OASBO and served the organization as its state president in 2005-06.    

Dr. Hanlon is the Superintendent of the Chardon Local Schools, appointed to the district’s top post in June 2013 and is in his twenty-second year as a school superintendent. He is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the school district serving approximately 2,800 students and manages the district’s estimated $39MM annual operating budget.

Before his appointment in Chardon, he served as Superintendent of the Painesville City Schools for fifteen years, where he was responsible for all day-to-day operations of the school district, as well as long-range planning to enhance student achievement in a diverse student population served in its schools.

Dr. Hanlon received his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Cleveland State University in 1996, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1987 from Cleveland State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education cum laude in 1983 from Cleveland State University.

His interests include distance running, ice hockey, all forms of outdoor activities, and cooking.

Todd Griffith has been Treasurer of Licking Heights Local Schools since June 2017. In this position, Mr. Griffith works with the Board of Education and administration to provide prudent financial management and leadership. The Treasurer's Office is responsible for all fiscal operations of the District. This includes budgeting, forecasting, investing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial reporting and serving as public records custodian.

Mr. Griffith received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and completed his Treasurer’s coursework from the University of Dayton. He holds an active School Treasurer license.  Mr. Griffith is a member of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials.

Marvin Founds is a director and municipal advisor with Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC. He has been an education finance professional for over 30 years, serving as treasurer/CFO for various school districts in Ohio and later as managing director for a large Midwest capital markets investment banking firm serving assorted education and traditional local government clients.

Through his longtime involvement in the field, Marvin has developed a statewide reputation for his range of knowledge in school finance. He has been a speaker and panelist at many conferences and workshops on topics related to public finance, capital planning, school district revenue and expenditure forecasting, millage studies and bond issuances. 

Marvin earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Finance concentration from The Ohio State University, and has two Master’s Degrees from Ashland University - Business Administration and Education.

Ryan Ghizzoni, Director of Ohio Analytics, began his career in finance at the Auditor of State’s Office, and served over 15 years as a school district treasurer before switching to the private sector to provide solutions and support on a larger scale.  During his CFO career, he has been the recipient of several ‘Association of School Business Officials’ International Meritorious Budget Awards and was the recipient of the ‘Ohio Association of School Business Officials’ 2011 Outstanding Treasurer of the Year Award. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Youngstown State University and is a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations.

Jennifer has spent over 20 years in government and non-profit service including as a legislative aide for Assistant Majority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives, as a lobbyist and grassroots coordinator for the Ohio School Boards Association, and as a communication consultant for public entities. Her love for civics started early when she volunteered for a local congressional campaign at the age of 8. Since then, she’s volunteered on several candidate campaigns and was the levy chairperson for her own local school district.

Jennifer has extensive experience in grassroots advocacy and creating strategy, as well as advocating in both the legislative and executive branches on behalf of client interests. She’s worked on both local and statewide ballot issues and candidate campaigns and has developed outreach strategies and communication plans for a variety of interests from the local, state and national levels with proven success.

Becka graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a business degree, marketing concentration and psychology minor. Her marketing experience has included creating and implementing plans for multiple corporate clients. Becka found her calling when she was able to combine her business degree, marketing experience and passion for kids and education. She has held leadership roles of multiple committees for Dublin Schools. She is especially proud to have chaired successful levy campaigns in 2012 and 2018.

Nicole Donovsky serves as general counsel to school districts with an emphasis in labor and employment issues, including contract negotiations, grievances, arbitrations, FMLA, ADA, workers’ compensation, evaluation, nonrenewal and termination. Nicole also advises school districts in the areas of career-technical education, student issues, civil rights, public records, abuse reporting, ethics, board policies and meeting requirements. In addition, Nicole assists clients with crisis management strategies and advises clients on conducting sensitive investigations.

Nicole is chief legal counsel to the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. She has presented extensively on issues affecting public education. Nicole also serves on Bricker Graydon's Southeast Ohio team.

In addition to proactively counseling clients, Nicole has represented school districts before a variety of courts and administrative agencies throughout Ohio, including the Ohio Supreme Court.

Danielle Prohaska has 17 years experience as a district administrator, currently in her 10th year as Superintendent of Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools. Dr. Prohaska earned her EdD in June of 2020, focusing on Educational Leadership and Administration. During her time at Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools, the district has focused on multiple measures that matter, including a shift in programming to promote the 3Es - Employment, Enrollment, and Enlistment. Mechanicburg’s mission is Aspire, Believe, Celebrate - Empowering all graduates for a successful and fulfilling tomorrow. The district uses their Portrait of a Graduate as the guide to support all students in developing the skills necessary for success in life. 

CFO/Treasurer of North Union LSD since August 1997, and shared services CFO/Treasurer for both North Union LSD and Mechanicsburg EVSD since January 1, 2013. Being in a small district there is a need to wear many hats.  Scott has operated, in addition to his CFO/Treasurer functions, as the Director of Operations, Construction Manager, Human Resource Director, and Food Service Director.  

Married to a beautiful, wonderful woman who is also in School Administration. Father of three sons (16, 20, 22) and two stepdaughters (22, 24). Enjoy owning, driving, and maintaining classic cars

Becky started her career as the assistant treasurer for her Alma Mater, Martins Ferry City Schools. After 12 years, she accepted the treasurer/CFO position for the Wellsville Local School District. Her love of the Central Ohio area found her accepting the assistant treasurer position at the fastest growing school district in the state of Ohio - Olentangy Local Schools. After a year and a half she was promoted to the Treasurer/CFO role. The district grew over twice its size to over 16,000 students under her financial leadership. After nine years with Olentangy Schools, she was recruited by the New Albany-Plain Local Schools and has been with this district for ten+ years. Becky has had the fortune of leading districts considered both wealthy and poor which gives her a unique perspective on the various challenges diverse districts face.

During these career transitions, Becky also helped lead OASBO. She held the offices of Board Southeast Region Director, Vice-President, President Elect, President and Immediate Past President. Through the years she has served on numerous committees and continues to serve on the Legislative Committee as well as many focus committees. Becky is also asked to speak on a variety of topics not only for OASBO seminars but other state organizations as well. 

Natasha Adams has been serving in her first superintendent role in the West Clermont School District since 2018.  She has spent time consistently meeting with parents, residents and community business leaders to learn what matters most to the district and community, redistricted the elementary attendance boundaries to allow for enrollment growth, and supervised the building of two new elementary schools and the renovation of another.  

She led the development of West Clermont’s Roadmap for Success, the district’s strategic plan for the future, approved by the Board of Education in August 2019 and led the passage of the first successful operational levy in 16 years.

In February 2019 she was named Business Woman of the Year by the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce.  

Daniel M. Romano is Treasurer/CFO at West Clermont Local Schools in Southwest Ohio in August 2020. He is also CEO and a Co-Founder of Edventures in Learning, Inc. a strategic learning and communication company. Prior to his current roles, Dan spent 23 years in the public sector holding positions as Treasurer/CFO and Business Manager in both Toledo and Sylvania City School Districts in Ohio.

In 1997, Dan was recruited to serve as an international consultant assisting Fortune 500 companies in bringing their strategic plans to life through a methodology that democratized data and dialogue to all parts of the organization. In 2012 Dan, was again recruited. This time by Forecast5 Analytics, a start-up company focused on building a business intelligence and forecasting platform for the Public Sector. Serving as SVP, he was responsible for the development and growth of new and innovative business intelligence and analytic tools to a multistate market of local governments that included Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. In 2016, Dan resumed the full-time helm at Edventures in Learning. More recently the company has expanded its service delivery of innovative tools and resources to engage employees and stakeholders in the critical issues of their organization.

Dan is an active member with OASBO serving on various committees. He also assisted in the development of several of the “Essentials” curriculum which is a major component to an alternative pathway for Ohio school treasurer and Business Manager licenses.

Dan received both his Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toledo.

Hugh Garside is the Treasurer for the South-Western City School District located in the southwest quadrant of Franklin County.  The District is the 6^th largest school district in the State of Ohio serving roughly 21,800 students housed in 31 school buildings.  Mr. Garside has served as Treasurer of the South-Western City School District for a total of 21 years and has been a part of constructing 27 new buildings over the course of his career in the District.  Mr. Garside also served as Treasurer of the Logan Elm Local Schools for 5 years, as the Executive Director of Budget and Fiscal Management for the Columbus City Schools for 3 years, and served on the School Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees for 6 years.