Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Office Location: District Office

Phone: Ext. 1006

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the district’s senior leader responsible for financial strategy, fiscal stewardship, and resource management. This role ensures that all financial operations—including budgeting, accounting, payroll, purchasing, audits, and financial reporting—are accurate, transparent, and aligned with district goals and legal requirements. The CFO advises the Superintendent and Board on financial matters, safeguards district assets, and oversees systems that support responsible, equitable, and sustainable use of district resources. The CFO is also responsible for oversight of the Transportation, Facilities, and Nutrition Services departments.

Responsibilities Overview:

Financial Strategy & Long-Term Planning: Developing multi-year financial forecasts, strategic fiscal plans, and advising district leadership and the Board on the budget implications of major decisions.

Budget Development & Management: Leading the creation, adoption, and management of the annual district budget, coordinating cash management, and allocating resources based on district priorities.

Accounting, Audits & Compliance: Ensuring accurate financial reporting, implementing internal controls, coordinating annual audits, tracking grants, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

Operations, Payroll & Purchasing: Overseeing payroll operations, vendor management, procurement processes, accounts payable/receivable, and managing the RFP process for sites, facilities, and long-range facilities planning

Risk Management & Capital Bond Planning: Partnering with the Superintendent and leadership team to mitigate legal and financial risks, and co-leading strategic efforts to place and pass capital bonds on the ballot.

Departmental Oversight: Providing leadership and administrative oversight for critical operational support departments, including Facilities, Nutrition Services, and Transportation.

What can I help with?

Financial Planning & Budgeting:
- “How should we budget for this new initiative or program?”
- “What are the financial impacts of this proposed decision?”
- “Where can I get guidance or troubleshooting for my campus or department budget?”
Purchasing & Procurement:
- “What is the correct process for purchasing this item or service?”
- “Does this purchase require quotes, competitive bids, or Board approval?”
Payroll & Compensation:
- “Why did this payroll variance occur, and how do we correct it?”
- “How should we handle compensation for this unique staffing situation?”
- “Is this payroll or compensation change permissible under our Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)?”
Compliance, Audits & Grants:
- “Is this expenditure allowable under state/federal rules or grant guidelines?”
- “What documentation is required to meet audit standards?”
- “How do we access Student Accident Reporting or District Budget & Financial Reports?”

🛑 When to Contact Someone Else

To help route your request efficiently, please note that the CFO does not handle the following areas:

Campus-Level Financial Decisions: Everyday, run-of-the-mill campus or department-level purchases and cash handling (Contact your Campus Principal, Department Head, or Secretary).
Human Resources & Personnel Decisions: Hiring decisions, staffing allocations, or employee relations issues (Contact the Human Resources Department, though the CFO collaborates closely with HR behind the scenes).
Instructional or Programmatic Decision-Making: Curriculum selection, teaching standards, or academic program structures (Contact the Teaching and Learning/TLA Department).

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✨ Outside of Work

When I'm not busy with work, I like to hang out with my wife, ride bikes, do puzzles, and cook. Before coming to school finance, I had a long career in the brewing industry, including winning "Large Brewpub Brewmaster of the Year" at the Great American Beer Festival back in 2002.

I left that line of work in 2020 and returned to college at OSU-Cascades and graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration, becoming the first person in my family to earn a college degree. Subsequently I took more accounting courses and eventually earned a CPA license from the State of Oregon. I'm a recent empty-nester with two sons in college: aside from my wife and I, the only critter who remains at home is an elderly coonhound (Hanna) who looks like she's going to outlive Keith Richards at this point.