January Hot Topics - 2020-2021

Scott has been with Meeder since 2011. Today, Scott’s role as a Client Portfolio Manager focuses on developing public funds solutions, working with clients to implement and maintain investment objectives, manage future cash flows, and provide strategy for Investment portfolios. Scott is a Chartered Market Technician (CMT) and currently holds his FINRA series 7 license.

Jim’s responsibilities at Meeder include portfolio management, trading, and client relationship management. As a member of the investment and credit committees, he is intimately involved with the development and execution of our public funds investment strategies.  He is also a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars relating to all aspects of public funds investment management. Jim is an active member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Columbus.

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.

Becky Mullins assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of the Washington Court House City School District on August 1, 2013. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Mullins served for 17 years with the Auditor of State’s Office holding various positions within its Local Government Services Division, effectively assisting local governments with financial, accounting and budgetary issues and providing professional consulting services. Ms. Mullins acquired her bachelor's degree in accounting from Capital University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Buckie Caulley was hired for the position of Accounts Payable Coordinator for the Washington Court House City School District on January 23, 2019. Prior to his hiring, Mr. Caulley worked for 20 years with Rotech Healthcare as an Area Manager. Rotech is the 3rd largest Durable Medical Equipment provider in the United States. He managed day to day operations, sales and clinical needs for in home patient needs. He managed up to 23 locations across Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin. 

Brad has over 26 years of experience in public finance, serving as Bond Counsel for state/local governments and nonprofit organizations and in tax-exempt leasing and stadium financings.  He is regularly called upon to address governmental and quasi-governmental councils and boards on public finance issues, including the State of Ohio, GFOA, OASBO, counties, municipalities, treasurers, trustees, and the Ohio Municipal League. He is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers (former Tax-Exempt Leasing Panel Chair) and the Association of Governmental Leasing & Finance (Salmon P. Chase College of Law - J.D. 1996; Xavier University - B.S.B.A. 1992).

Mr. Payne founded Bradley Payne Advisors in 2009.  He began his 37-year career as assistant debt manager for the State of Ohio and followed that as an investment banker.  Mr. Payne’s vast Ohio financing experience is centered around Ohio schools. He is a Registered Municipal Advisor and Municipal Advisors Principal through the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the Securities  & Exchange Commission (SEC).  Mr. Payne graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and from Ohio University with a Masters of Political Science.

Kent joined RBC Capital Markets in 2002 after serving as the Chief Operating Officer for Cincinnati Public Schools. Prior to coming to Cincinnati, Kent served for nine years in finance, policy and administrative positions in Delaware state government. His last position there was Associate Secretary of Education for Finance, Policy and Administrative Services.

Kent specializes in education and local government transactions including tax increment financing (TIF). He also administers several large structured pooled financing programs in the State of Ohio.  

Kent currently holds Series 7, Series 24, Series 50, Series 53, Series 54 and Series 63 licenses.  Mr. Cashell holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Economics from the University of Delaware, specializing in mathematical economics and econometrics.    

Tess Tannehill is a Senior Associate in Bricker & Eckler’s Public Sector Industry Group. She advises clients on all facets of Ohio’s real property tax valuation and exemption laws, particularly as they apply to school districts, hospitals, and other public entities. She also advises hospitals on resolving patient incapacity issues, including navigating the probate court process for establishing court-appointed guardianships.

For nearly a decade, Tess has represented school districts, hospitals, universities, foundations, and other property owners in hundreds of real property tax valuation and exemption disputes.

Scott is a graduate of Seven Hills High School in Cincinnati where he played soccer, basketball and baseball.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Bradley University in 1990 and later earned his Master’s Degree in School Administration from Xavier University. 

Kaufman is currently the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Lakota West High School- the school district where he lives and his children attended.  Prior to that, he began his professional career at Princeton City Schools where he worked from 1992-2011, serving as a Teacher (1992-1996), Junior High Athletic Director (1996-1998) and District Athletic Director (1998-2011).  During this time, he coached football and basketball at Princeton and fast-pitch softball at Seven Hills.  From 2011-2013, Kaufman served as the Athletic Director at Wyoming High School.

Brian is in his fourth year as Food Service Director at Worthington City Schools. Prior to that he was Senior Food Service Director at Dublin City Schools for 15 years. He has 30+ years Operational and Food Systems Management experience.

Brian is currently the OASBO Food & Nutrition Chapter President.