CE Region Fall School Finance Workshop 2022-2023

Ryan is a Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager at RedTree Investment Group. He has over 25 years of investment experience in the fixed income markets. Specifically, over the past 19 years, Ryan has been assisting public entities and other agencies with their fixed income investment needs. At RedTree, he is responsible for overseeing the firm’s investment process along with communication of the unique investment strategies for the firm’s clients.

Ryan obtained his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Kentucky and his MBA in Finance from Xavier University. He has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a current member of the CFA Institute. He currently serves on the Ohio GFOA Board and is on their Education Committee. 

With many years of experience in the investment industry, Joe has had exposure to both equity and fixed income markets. Much of this time has been spent working with fixed income products and portfolios. He brings a focused and detailed approach to portfolio management.

Much of his day-to-day involves working closely with current clients and fostering new relationships. His experience in portfolio management combined with the knowledge of relevant sections of Ohio Revised Code gives him the ability to serve RedTree’s clients to the fullest.

Originally from Tampa, FL where he spent most of his childhood, Joe now resides in Northern Kentucky with his wife, Rachel, their daughter, Rosie, and two dogs, Overton and Sable. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, golfing, and when time allows, traveling the world.

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.

Don Graber graduated from Tiffin University with an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Law Enforcement.  Don has worked at the Auditor of State for over 14 years and his current position is Audit Manager. Don and his wife reside in Newark, Ohio and have 4 children.  Don is a member of the GFOA and AGA.

Aaron Rausch is the Chief of Budget and School Funding at the Department of Education & Workforce (previously Ohio Department of Education), where he manages an agency budget of more than $17 billion and administers the state’s school funding program. In 2019, Aaron received the Dick Maxwell School Finance Award from the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. Prior to joining ODE in 2014, Aaron worked for the Ohio Office of Budget and Management as a budget analyst in the education section. Aaron started his career in state government as a performance auditor, focusing on school district performance audits at the Ohio Auditor of State's Office. Active in his community, Aaron serves as an advisory board member on the Columbus and Central Ohio Children’s Chorus Foundation, sings with the Choral Union at Capital University, and rides in Pelotonia every year. 

Prior to becoming an attorney with the firm, Ms. Reedy served as chief legal counsel of the Ohio School Boards Association. She brings her depth of experience in education law and knowledge as association counsel to provide comprehensive legal representation of public schools and nonprofit entities. Ms. Reedy’s work with boards of education includes drafting and negotiating vendor contracts, drafting policy, interpreting Ohio’s ethics laws, public records, litigation, and representing boards before federal, state, and local agencies. She has extensive publication and speaking credentials. She is trained in mediation. Ms. Reedy represents districts on a full spectrum of education law issues and is a member of the firm’s School Finance, Municipalities & Public Law, and Special Education Practice Teams.

Susan Willeke is an accomplished government-relations professional with 30 years’ experience in public affairs, communication, and public speaking.  Susan joined the Ohio Ethics Commission in 2005 as the Education and Communications Manager where she oversees and conducts educational and communication outreach.  In that position, Susan presents approximately 200 speeches annually, develops information strategies regarding agency programs and represents the Ethics Commission to Ohio citizens, the media and the Ohio legislature. 

Kristine Blind is the CFO/Treasurer for the London City School District in Madison County. She previously held this position from August 2011 through August 2017 before leaving for the same position with Gahanna-Jefferson Local Schools.

Kristine has been involved in school finance since 1996, beginning as a support staff member in Washington County. She has held several positions throughout her career before becoming a Treasurer in 2009. As a long-time OASBO member, Kristine has participated in numerous committees and serves as a seminar director, mentor as well as frequent presenter.

Dr. Kramer has served Ohio's public schools for 27 years and is currently in his eighth year as the London City School District Superintendent. During his teaching career, Dr. Kramer taught elementary and middle school students, while also coaching high school cross country, golf, basketball, and track. Over the course of his 21 years as an administrator, he has served as an elementary principal, a high school principal, a Curriculum Director, and as a District and Educational Service Center Superintendent.

Lou holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton, a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from The Ohio State University, a Doctor of Education Degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and earned his superintendent's license from the University of Findlay. Kramer currently serves on several state committees and remains connected to the London Community by being involved with the London Rotary Club, the United Way of Clark, Champaign, and Madison Counties, the Madison Family Council Executive Committee, and serves on the Board of the Madison County Collaborative Economic Development Agency. He is an adjunct faculty member in Franklin University's Organizational Leadership Doctoral Program and also volunteers as the head coach for the London High School swim team.

As a "recovering" high school principal and avid Cleveland Sports fan, Lou jokes that he is both an eternal optimist and a glutton for punishment. He and his wife, Janet, have been married for 23 years and have four active children in high school and college. The Kramers reside in London and send their school-age children to London City Schools.