Essentials of Business Operations 2026-2027

Travis has an extensive loss control background and he designed the loss control protocols for the field risk managers. He and his department provide extensive risk management services to our public entity and educational institution clients. Travis has worked with hundreds of municipal and school clients. His professional specialties include: Emergency Action Planning / Accident Investigation / Safety Management System.

Travis earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio.  In addition, he is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) and a Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM).

Nancy joined SORSA as the Loss Control Manager in 2016. She manages the loss control services offered by SORSA including assisting Members to set up customized trainings along with building and playground inspections. Nancy holds a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation as well as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). Nancy has spent over 40 years in the insurance industry and was a former independent insurance agent that worked with several SORSA Members. Prior to joining SORSA, she worked for a public-school pool management brokerage firm in California, overseeing the loss control department. Nancy is available to assist districts with on-site property inspections, playground inspections, employee & employment practices training sessions, in-service bus driver training and more.

Dave has been an MCO Account Executive since 2005 and during this time he has partnered with several Central-Ohio school districts.  Dave is a graduate of Wittenberg University and Syracuse University with a background in Counseling, and prior to being an Account Executive was a field case manager within the Ohio Vocational Rehabilitation program.

Ryan Pendleton is the Executive Director of the 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.  

Andrew Thornton is the Director of Sales with xFact He has held numerous engineering and sales leadership positions over his 20 year career. The past decade Andrew has worked with Ohio K-12 schools to create safe, robust and engaging learning environments through technology infrastructure services. 

Lance has been working in Ohio school districts for the past 22 years. He began as a sub-custodian and worked his way up to the position of Business Manager eight years ago. Lance is currently the Business Manager at Fairfield City School District and has been for the past two years.

Brock Miskimen practices construction, procurement, and ethics law. In his construction practice, he regularly advises clients on project delivery systems and prepares procurement and bidding documents as well as construction project contracts.

Brock worked in various government offices prior to joining Bricker Graydon, giving him the experience to assist clients in navigating the various levels of government. Most notably, he served as chief legal counsel for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), where he also advised the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission. While there, he coordinated litigation involving ODNR with the Ohio Attorney General's Office including the settlement of a multi-million-dollar litigation matter involving decades of flooding. Brock also advised ODNR on the construction and renovation of the Department’s infrastructure including dams, lodges, and cabins. Brock also managed outside counsel contracts and oversaw the in-house legal staff of more than a dozen attorneys and professionals.

Tarik Kershah is an attorney in Bricker Graydon’s Construction group, licensed in Ohio and Illinois. He represents public and private sector clients—including hospitals, schools, cities, and developers—through all phases of construction, from project delivery and contract drafting to dispute resolution and litigation. Tarik advises on contract administration, risk management, and claim preparation, and has successfully handled complex, multi-party construction disputes, including appeals. Prior to joining Bricker Graydon in 2013, he practiced construction and real estate law in Chicago and served as an extern for Judge Michael H. Watson of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Jason D. Heilman is a Transportation Consultant with the Shared Services Alliance. He brings over 13 years of experience in student transportation, including 4.5 years with the Department of Education & Workforce (formerly the Ohio Department of Education), where he served as a Program Administrator in the Center for Advancing Professional Supports, Office of Field Services and Transportation. Jason continues to support school districts and educational entities by advancing safe, efficient, and compliant transportation solutions across Ohio.