CONTRIBUTORS

Luke Corry Senior Resource Allocation Policy Specialist Illinois State Board of Education

Prior to joining ISBE, Luke spent seven years as a school leader (assistant principal and principal) in a Chicago charter school. In his current role, Luke manages the implementation of strategic initiatives that seek to coordinate efforts across agency departments to support efficient and effective resource allocation in school systems.

lcorry@isbe.net

Eric DePorter, CSBO Asst. Supt./Finance, Facilities & Operations Glen Ellyn SD 41

Began his education career in 2010. Eric has an economics degree from the University of Illinois, and a masters degree in Northern Illinois University. He is a member of the Accounting, Auditing & Financial Reporting PDC and is the current President of Illinois ASBO. edeporter@d41.org

Is a Senior Manager in Crowe LLP’s Accounting Advisory Group in Oak Brook, Illinois, and has over 21 years of experience in public accounting providing auditing, consulting and accounting advisory services to governmental and not-for profit organizations. matt.geerdes@crowe.com

Manager Baker Tilly US, LLP

Has over 11 years of experience auditing local governments, including K-12 school districts, with seven of those years with a primary focus on Single Audits. Stephanie has been with Baker Tilly US, LLP for over a year managing the Single Audits for clients and providing Single Audit guidance to engagement teams throughout the firm.

stephanie.jacobs@bakertilly.com flabella@sd161.org melissa.morgese@ccsd21.org

Joined District 161 in July 2012 from Evergreen Park Elementary District 124 where she served as Assistant Superintendent since 1996. Fran has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Villanova University and a MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame. Fran has been an active member of Illinois ASBO since 1995.

Prior to joining Wheeling CCSD 21 in 2019, Melissa spent thirteen years in the business office at Elmwood Park CUSD 401. Melissa is currently serving on the Illinois ASBO Board of Directors and is a past-chair of the Illinois ASBO Accounting, Auditing & Financial Reporting PDC.

Brian O’Keeffe, CSBO, Ed. D., SFO Asst. Supt./Business Operations

Wheaton CUSD 200

Began his education career in July 2009. He has worked in a special education cooperative school district, an elementary school district and now a unit school district. He is currently the HR PDC Chair and is the Co-Chair of DuPage Regional Organization at Illinois ASBO. Brian received his Educational Leadership Ed.D. from Western Illinois University. brian.okeeffe@cusd200.org

Kristopher Pickford

Director GATA

Illinois State Board of Education

Prior to joining the Illinois State Board of Education in 2021, Kris spent ten years as the Senior Director of Financial Compliance and Grant Accountability at the Illinois Community College Board. He has also served as the Chief Accountability Officer at both institutions.

Tera A Wagner, CSBO Director of Finance

CHSD 230 kpickfor@isbe.net twagner@d230.org

Joined District 230 as the Director of Finance in August 2016 from Crete-Monee School District 201-U where she served as Accounting Supervisor since 2011. Tera’s career in government accounting started in 1993. Tera furthered her education by earning a Master’s degree in Accounting and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Public Administration from Governors State University. She then achieved her CSBO from Northern Illinois University.