Accounts Payable and Purchasing 2021-2022

Karen Auble is in her fifth year with the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Federal Programs, where she currently serves as Assistant Director, proving management and support for COVID relief funding. Prior to becoming Assistant Director, she was a Program Specialist and State Coordinator for Title I, Part D. Karen’s experience includes two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana, Southern Africa, working with the Ministry of Local Government to improve coordination and capacity of local organizations in addressing HIV/AIDS. Karen holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and Bachelor of Arts from The College of Wooster. 

Melissa Kandel is a Senior Audit Manager with the Auditor of State’s financial audit group in the Central Region. The Financial Audit Group is responsible for conducting financial audits of all public entities as required by Ohio law. Melissa has overall responsibility for audits in Knox and Licking Counties.

Melissa has been employed with the Auditor of State’s office since 2006. She is a graduate of Muskingum University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and Business. She has been a Senior Audit Manager for four years. 

Dawn is the Treasurer/CFO for Van Buren Local School District.

Jacobs had been Treasurer/CFO for Huron City Schools since August 2014 before joining Van Buren Local in November.

Jacobs began her career in educational finance as assistant treasurer for Anthony Wayne Local Schools in 1993 and has worked in finance for a variety of Ohio school districts since, including the Lucas County Educational Service Center, Bucyrus City School District and Otsego Local School District.

Jacobs earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master’s of business administration from Heidelberg University. She also holds an Ohio School treasurer’s license from the Ohio Department of Education and a School Finance and Operations Certification through the Association of School Business Officials International.

Amelia Gioffredo is the Treasurer/CFO in the Amherst Exempted Village School District. Amelia oversees the Treasurer's Office and is directly responsible for Amherst's financial operations.

Before coming to Amherst, Amelia was the Treasurer/CFO of Fremont City Schools for over three years.  Previously, she served as Assistant Treasurer at Strongsville City Schools for five years.

Amelia received her undergraduate degrees from Bowling Green State University, earning a Business degree in Accounting and Arts & Sciences degree in Fashion Merchandising.  She is currently attending Baldwin Wallace University, working towards an MBA in Business Analytics. Amelia has been involved in OASBO, and has served on a number of committees, served as Chapter officer and committee chair.  

Amelia is the proud mother of Joey and Ben, who are very active teenagers who love the outdoors.  When not working, she is often taking them to skate parks to ride scooters and trick bikes.

Shawn Richardson is a principal at Rea & Associates as well as a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and former cyber security advisor to the Army Reserve Cyber Operations Group and the U.S. Cyber Command. With more than 25 years of information systems engineering and cybersecurity operations experience, he currently serves as a leader on the firm's cybersecurity and data protection services team. Shawn is committed to helping guide the small- to mid-sized businesses of America down the path of entrepreneurial freedom without the risk of compromise.

Bethany Suchy is a Relationship Banker within the Ohio Public Finance group. In her role, she is responsible for managing the full-aspect of the banking relationships of her clients, including their treasury management, credit and investment needs. Bethany joined PNC in 2014, and has held various positions within Retail and Corporate Banking. Prior to joining the Public Finance Team in 2018, she held the position of a Senior Branch Manager within the Columbus Market. Bethany is a graduate of The University of Dayton, and she holds both the Municipal Securities Representative (Series 52) and Uniform Securities Agent (Series 63) licenses. 

Jennifer James is a Senior Vice President and Public Finance Treasury Management Officer based in Columbus, Ohio.  In her current role, Jennifer provides a variety of account and treasury management solutions for government, higher education and non-profit sector organizations.  Jennifer has 20 years of banking experience, with prior roles in Operations, Finance, and Treasury Management.  Jennifer graduated from Franklin University with a Master’s Degree in Finance and from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics. Jennifer also holds an Associate Degree from Columbus State Community College.