Ceo / Executive Director
Westminster Community Charter School
Buffalo/Niagara, New York Area
- Spearheaded M&T Bank’s private-public partnership with the Buffalo Public School District, Unions, State Education Department and a PK-8 public school (90% free/reduced lunch) to create the Westminster School (later charter school).- Initiated conversion to independent charter school status in 2003 to reduce staff turnover and improve fiscal autonomy; headed financial, operational, legal, regulatory, and all oversight aspects of 2,000 page state charter start-up document.- Oversaw $7.5+ million annual budget: managed accounting, audit, payroll, compensation, grant compliance, annual reports, all financial statements, ad hoc reports, projections, investments, risk mitigation and internal controls.- Raised $22+ million in private and public funds from local, state and national sources between 2004 and 2012.- Utilized $1.5+ million in operating surpluses to expand/renovate facilities (e.g., cafeteria, classrooms, offices) and add new resources (e.g., integration of a public library and construction/implementation of the 1st school based health clinic).- Directed operations including HR, facilities, IT, purchasing, food services, construction, security, busing and equipment.- Negotiated legal matters and contracts related to personnel, facilities, construction, large purchases and vendors.- Collaborated with Principal and Staff to lead Westminster from lowest performing Buffalo Public School to among top five in district; CNN ran a feature on Westminster’s academic, financial and operational success. - Led Buffalo Promise Neighborhood (one of 300+ applicants nationally) to win a $12 million Federal Promise Neighborhood Grant to improve children’s outcomes from birth to college/career through academic and social services interventions in three N-12 schools serving 3,000+ students. Only five grants were awarded. Managed $20+ million 5-year budget, accounting setup and grant compliance. Upgraded accounting software to manage larger budgets and grants.