
NW Region Fall School Finance Workshop 2022-2023
- Registration Closed
Date: 10.11.2022
Location: Hilton Garden Inn - Findlay | 1050 Interstate Drive West | Findlay, OH 45840
Cost: Member - $100 | Non-Member - $200
This seminar is intended to provide updates by the Ohio Department of Education and Auditor of State. In addition, we will provide a legal update and have presentations on ethics, investments, special funds, and a panel on board, treasurer, and superintendent relationships.
*All regional seminars are in-person with the Central region being offered as a hybrid with zoom links.
AGENDA
8 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
8:05 a.m.
Economic and Market Update (CPIM Approved)
Joe Violand, RedTree
9:05 a.m.
Cash Balances - Management, Guidance, and Best Practices
Katie Johnson, OASBO, and Members of the Ed Finance Committee
10:05 a.m.
Break
10:20 a.m.
Auditor of State Update (CPIM Approved)
Elizabeth Sudlow and Brenda Troyer, AOS
11 a.m.
ODE Update (CPIM Approved)
Elena Sanders, ODE
12:20 p.m.
Lunch
1 p.m.
Legal Update (DEI)
Erin Wessendorf-Wortman, Ennis Britton
1:45 p.m.
The Ohio Ethics Law: Watching Our Step! (CPIM Approved)
Susan Willeke, Ohio Ethics Commission
2:45 p.m.
Break
3 p.m.
Board, Superintendent, Treasurer Relations
Cajon Keeton, Treasurer/CFO, Benton Carroll Salem Local SD
Guy Parmigian, Superintendent, Benton Carroll Salem Local SD
4 p.m.
Conclusion and Q&A

Joe Violand, CFA
Portfolio Manager, RedTree Investment Group
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, Esq.
Deputy Executive Director, OASBO
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.

Elizabeth Sudlow
Senior Audit Manager, Ohio Auditor of State
Elizabeth lives in Columbus Grove and has worked for the Auditor of State for almost 23 years.

Brenda Troyer
Audit Manager, Ohio Auditor of State
Brenda is an Audit Manager in the Northwest Region of the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office. She has an accounting degree from Heidelberg University, and has been with the State Auditor’s Office since 1994. She currently covers audits in Putnam, Paulding, and Defiance counties.

Erin Wessendorf-Wortman
Attorney, Ennis Britton Co., LPA
Ms. Wessendorf-Wortman is a shareholder with the firm. She advises clients on a variety of educational law matters including labor and employment issues, student discipline and rights, special education and 504 matters, relationships with school resource officers, serving transgender students, employee misconduct and investigations, booster matters, and general school law practice. She is a member of the firm’s Special Education and Workers’ Compensation Practice Teams. Ms. Wessendorf-Wortman has served as a lead negotiator in bargaining and defended boards of education in arbitration, court cases, special education mediation, and due process hearings. She has represented school boards before a variety of federal and state administrative agencies, including the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the State Employment Relations Board, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Ms. Wessendorf-Wortman is a frequent presenter at professional conferences, and at administrator and staff in-service trainings on a variety of topics including annual legal updates, professional ethics and codes of conduct, implicit bias, relationships with school resource officers, managing booster groups, serving students with disabilities, employee leave matters, and handling employee misconduct.

Susan Willeke
Education and Communications Manager, Ohio Ethics Commission
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.

Cajon Keeton
Treasurer/CFO, Benton Carroll Salem Local SD
Cajon Keeton is the Treasurer for the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District in Northwest Ohio. Prior to becoming a Treasurer, Cajon spent 5 years in the classroom as a business and technology teacher. He has a passion for school finance, as well as teaching and learning.
Mr. Keeton holds a B.A. in Education (Bowling Green State University) and a M.A. in Educational Administration (Tiffin University).

Dr. Guy Parmigian
Superintendent, Benton Carroll Salem Local SD
Dr. Parmigian joined Benton-Carroll-Salem School District in 2012. Dr. Parmigian’s past professional work included; Director of Curriculum/Career Technology, Assistant Principal, and Teacher. Dr. Parmigian holds a B.A. in Secondary Education/English, M.A. in Educational Administration, Ph.D in Educational Leadership.
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