NE Region Fall School Finance Workshop 2022-2023

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.

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. 

Josh Zielgler is an Audit Manager in the Northeast Region.  Josh graduated with his accounting degree from the University of Akron.  He has been with the Office for 15 years and work mostly in Cuyahoga County, but has worked in Medina, Lorain, Summit, and Stark Counties in the past.  Josh lives in Brunswick with his wife and three kids.

Ms. Spencer is a shareholder with the firm who has served as both in-house counsel and outside counsel to Ohio school districts. She is a member of the firm’s Special Education, Workers’ Compensation, and Finance Practice Teams. She counsels boards of education and school district administration on many aspects of education law including employment matters, workers’ compensation, property valuation, student discipline, public records, special education, discrimination complaints, and board governance. She has represented boards of education before state and federal courts, county Boards of Revision, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Industrial Commission, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the State Personnel Board of Review, the State Employment Relations Board, the Ohio Unemployment Review Commission, and the Ohio Department of Education. Ms. Spencer frequently presents on various education law topics at the state and national levels and is a featured presenter for several school employee associations throughout Ohio. She is a 2011 recipient of President Obama’s Volunteer Service Award and has an extensive history of volunteer service.

Mr. McBride is of counsel with the firm. He is a member of the firm’s Construction and Real Estate as well as Workers Compensation practice teams. Bob has dedicated his practice to representing public school districts and private sector clients in the areas of employment law, civil rights defense, board leadership, labor relations, general civil litigation and construction law.

His experience includes negotiating collective bargaining agreements and labor arbitrations, as well as advising clients on compliance with statutes such as the Ohio Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Bob also advises clients on compliance with civil rights laws covering race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, family and medical leave and veteran status.

He represents clients before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Ohio Unemployment Compensation Review Commission, the United States Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the National Labor Relations Board, and the State Employment Relations Board. Bob is frequently asked to present at conferences across the state on topics related to school operations, employment and more.

Katie Johnson is the Deputy Executive Director of Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO). As Deputy Executive Director, Katie serves as the advocacy lead for the association and as in-house legal counsel, keeping staff and members abreast of legal and regulatory compliance issues in school business. In addition, she develops curriculum to support OASBO’s strategic plan and the Ohio school business profession.

Prior to joining OASBO, Katie represented school districts as a public finance attorney, focusing her practice on serving as bond counsel and underwriter's counsel in debt and lease financings and as general counsel for Ohio political subdivisions. Specifically, Katie worked with school districts on bond issues, note issues, leases, tax levies, public records and other matters of concern to school business officials.

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 President of the Ohio Chapter of Women in Public Finance. 

Kent R. Zeman, the present Treasurer for Lakewood City School District, has held that position since December 1, 2013.  Prior to assuming that position, Mr.Zeman was Treasurer of the Board of Education of the Avon Local School District for nine years, Treasurer for the Board of Education for the Olmsted Falls CitySchool District for three years, and Treasurer for the Clearview Local SchoolDistrict for three and one-half years. Kent’s professional memberships include the American Society of Certified Public Accountants, The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Ohio Association of School Business Officials.

Mrs. Shaughnessy graduated from Lakewood High School in 1965 and received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University in 1969 and a Master of Business Administration from Cleveland State University in 1987. She is retired after a successful career with UH-St. John Medical Center.

Mrs. Shaughnessy is a past president of the Lakewood Alumni Foundation (now the Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation) and served as a member of the Lakewood Public Library Board of Trustees prior to her election to the Lakewood Board of Education. She has been active in PTA, serving as Vice President and President of both Lincoln Elementary School PTA and Horace Mann Middle School PTA. Mrs. Shaughnessy is a member of the Lakewood Foundation, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, and League of Women Voters. She is a past member of Lakewood Kiwanis and Project H.E.A.L. She has also served as the Board representative on the Buildings and Sites Committee, on the Education Committee, and on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee.  Mrs. Shaughnessy has also participated in the Youth Master Plan.

Mrs. Shaughnessy and her husband Charles have a son and daughter, both Lakewood High School graduates. Mrs. Shaughnessy is the current Board president and also served as president in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2017 and 2021. Mrs. Shaughnessy has served on all standing committees. She is serving her eighth term of office.