Essentials of Leadership 2022-2023

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.  

Randy joined the Perrysburg Exempted Village School District team in September 2021 as Treasurer/CFO for the district. Randy came to Perrysburg after as Treasurer/CFO for Huron City Schools and the Bright Local School District. Randy has used his skills as an educator in management & finance and business leader to improve fiscal office and district operations and improve communications with the Board of Education and public.

Jennifer Bruns is the Chief Financial Officer of St. Henry Cons. LSD, where she has served since January 2016. Jennifer also serves as the Fiscal & Mentoring Specialist for Mercer County Educational Service Center. Jennifer began her School Finance career as the CFO of Riverside Local School District in Logan County. Prior to becoming a Treasurer/CFO, Jennifer worked for the Ohio Auditor of State. Jennifer has been a member of OASBO since 2012, has been very involved in the West Central Chapter, and currently serves on the OASBO Board of Directors as the Northwest Region Director. Jennifer also serves as the Chair of the OASBO Auditor of State Committee.

Eric Soltis has been the Assistant Treasurer at Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District since August of 2019, a position where he helps oversee a budget of over $100 million.  He takes great pride in properly handling the day-to-day financial operations of an organization as a public service to taxpayers.  Prior to his current position, Eric served as Treasurer/CFO at Xenia Community Schools and Treasurer/CFO at Pike-Delta-York Local School District.

Eric has been a member of OASBO since 2012 and has volunteered in a number of capacities throughout the years, including serving on committees, presenting, writing articles, and developing curriculum.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology and an MBA, both from Bowling Green 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.    

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.

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.

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. 

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.