Leadership Fundamentals

TASBO has partnered with the Kevin Eikenberry Group to offer their immersive 2-day program, Bud to Boss, as our core leadership training. Led by one of TASBO’s eight certified facilitators, this program incorporates the experiences and perspectives of seasoned school business leaders. These facilitators have been in your shoes and have the tools and strategies to meet you wherever you are in your leadership journey and offer guidance for your future aspirations. Whether you strive to lead, were recently promoted to a management role, or have been in a leadership role for years, you are certain to gain from this experience.

Here's what past participants have had to say:

• “The Bud to Boss workshop prepared me for the “what ifs” and showed me how to transition change effectively without causing resistance. This training not only helped me as an individual, but it provided me with the tools I needed to build a stronger team.”
• “I would recommend this workshop to both new and seasoned supervisors. There was a lot of valuable advice/feedback on different situations from our workshop facilitator as well as other management professionals who attended the training.”
• “Of all the training I have been through, this was by far the most useful. Bob was knowledgeable, and his application of real-life experiences was valuable and made him a rock star facilitator!”

Meet the Facilitators

Mike Brooks, CTSBO, is the Chief Operations Officer for Salado ISD and oversees facilities, construction, food service, and transportation. Previously, he was the Assistant Director of Maintenance at Flour Bluff ISD. Brooks worked for TASB to develop the facilities department and served as the director for eight years. During that time, he worked with districts to develop long-range facility plans and assisted with bond elections. Additionally, he has been President of the Coastal Bend TASBO affiliate and is currently on the TASBO Maintenance & Operations Committee.

Bob Cervi, CTSBO, is the former executive director for Austin ISD. There, he oversaw the daily operations of the construction management department. In this role, Cervi also worked with the Facilities Department which includes maintenance, grounds, housekeeping, sustainability, and planning for the over 80,000 students and 130+ schools and administrative sites. Cervi has worked in public education for more than 30 years in various district support services departments.

Lindy Finley, RTSBA, is the Associate Superintendent of Finance and Operations for Jacksonville ISD. Throughout her 25 years in JISD, she has served in various roles, including Payroll Supervisor, Supervisor of Human Resources, and Business Manager. Her duties in all of these roles included finance, payroll, human resources, maintenance/operations, transportation, food service, PEIMS, and construction. Finley has served on the TASBO Board and was the recipient of the 2017 TASBO Commitment to Excellence Award.

Pattie Griffin, RTSBA, retired with 37 years of service in public education in San Angelo ISD and most recently served as their Director of Human Resources and Professional Learning. Her vast knowledge and expertise include recruiting and hiring, compensation management, employee management, policies, benefits, and more. She has served TASBO in a variety of ways, including as a past president and board member, commitment to excellence award recipient, committee officer, mentor, curriculum writer, instructor, and speaker. Pattie has a passion for assisting school business officials in recognizing their potential to make a difference.

Julie Novak, RTSBA, is the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations for Fort Sam Houston ISD. She has served there since 2010, overseeing finance, payroll, facilities, transportation, child nutrition, and risk management. Her work in public schools includes three other school districts since 1998 and prior to that, she worked for twelve years for a CPA who audited school districts, municipalities, and banks. In addition to currently being a part of the TASBO Professional Certification Committee, Julie served as the TASBO President in 2019-2020 and is a Past President of the Alamo Area ASBO.

Kelly Penny, RTSBA, MBA, is retired and a Life Member of TASBO. She has previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Coppell ISD and, before that, was the Executive Director of Finance in Rockwall ISD. Throughout her 24-year career, she has been responsible for finance, purchasing, payroll, accounts payable, PEIMs, textbooks/IMA, and benefits. She served as TASBO Board President from 2014 to 2015 and is a past President of DFW TASBO. She is the 2018 TASBO Commitment to Excellence Award recipient and is also a 2018 ASBO International Eagle Award recipient.

Hear why facilitator Pattie Griffin, RTSBA believes the Leadership Fundamentals Workshop is an important training that can help you be successful throughout your career.