Experience

Strada Education Network

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President, Corporate Development

  • Jan 2017 - Present

  Source and evaluate investment opportunities in companies or private equity funds that are innovators in the higher education space and provide purposeful pathways from education to employment for traditional and adult learners.

• VICE PRESIDENT, POLICY AND COMPLIANCE

  • Jan 2007 - Dec 2016

  Lead the activities of the policy, compliance and claim review and processing functions, including the development and implementation of new policies and procedures resulting from changes in law or other federal or state regulations, and internal policy changes.

• DIRECTOR, PROGRAM COMPLIANCE

  • Jul 1999 - Dec 2006

  Directed the activities of the Compliance Operations, Business Systems Support, Ombudsman, and Publications units. AccomplishmentsReduced systems costs by $400,000 in the first year.Converted paper documents to electronic publications, saving $30,000 annually in printing and mail costs.Implemented new reconciliation method for federal reporting; resulting in a 50% reduction in the error rate percentage.Created a new program review process used across the industry; resulting in a 30% reduction in overall costs for conducting compliance reviews.

• MANAGER, COMPLIANCE OPERATIONS

  • Apr 1997 - Jul 1999

  Managed activities relating to financial and compliance audits of schools, lenders, and collection agencies, as well as the investigative activities necessary to detect and prevent fraud and abuse within the student loan industry. Responsible for direct supervision of a staff consisting of twenty employees.AccomplishmentsInitiated a comprehensive cost reduction strategy across the department resulting in overall cost savings of over 25%. This translated into annual savings of over $250,000 with no loss in overall departmental productivity.Implemented a new quality program for investigation casework, improving overall quality by 40%.Improved staff morale through building a strong rapport with staff members and increasing staff motivation.

• SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST

  • Apr 1994 - Mar 1997

  Responsible for forecasting, budgeting, pricing, and variance analysis, unit and product line costing and development of performance measurements. Duties included maintaining company product line reporting, key performance reporting, unit costing, pricing, budgeting, and analytical support to operational and senior management. Handling special projects and calculating of intercompany fees and charges while developing complex models account for the remaining time.AccomplishmentsChampioned the implementation of an activity-based-costing system company wide and at the cost center level, saving 5% to 20% the first year. This translated into an increase in net income of $6 - $7 million annually.Changed work request system triggering a check and balance system, which initiated the billing process saving $200,000 the first year.Revamped and improved existing product line allocation methods utilizing activity-based-costing theory, generating savings in excess of $500,000.Coordinated and developed bids on several new contracts resulting in multi-million dollar agreements with our clients.

• FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL

  • Apr 1992 - Mar 1994

  Maintained annual rotation between the areas of Auditing Services, General Accounting, and Financial Analysis and Budgeting. Conducted operational audits of cost centers. Performed general accounting functions such as billing, journal entries, and account reconciliations.AccomplishmentsSelected as one of two managerial candidates within the Finance Division.Developed a complete disaster recovery plan for the General Accounting department.Successfully coordinated and lead over 21 separate significant projects.

• COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST

  • Dec 1989 - Apr 1992

  Performed on-site reviews of schools and lenders to ascertain their compliance with federal, state, and guarantor guidelines regarding the student loan industry. Provided consulting services to various clients nationwide. Analyzed the effects of new regulations on day-to-day operations relating to the department and company.AccomplishmentsDeveloped and implemented a new audit program for use in compliance reviews.Maintained the highest productivity rating of all staff members within the department.



INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS

• Contract Auditor

  • Jan 1989 - Nov 1989

  Performed on-site audits or utilities, railroads, engineering consultants, and local public agencies. Audited and approved final costs relating to highway construction projects. Performed on-site audits or utilities, railroads, engineering consultants, and local public agencies. Audited and approved final costs relating to highway construction projects.



Indiana Department of Transportation

• ASSISTANT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SUPERVISOR

  • Oct 1987 - Dec 1988

  Supervised a staff of five individuals. Developed and implemented new procedures for the collection of overdue accounts. Reconciled accounts and appropriation balances to the accounting system and the General Accounting Office. Supervised a staff of five individuals. Developed and implemented new procedures for the collection of overdue accounts. Reconciled accounts and appropriation balances to the accounting system and the General Accounting Office.