FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2024
Contact: Jackie Wallenstein
866.682.2729 x7082
[email protected]
ASBO International Awards District Leaders Highest Honor in School Business Profession
Reston, VA – The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Eagle Awards, which recognize K–12 business professionals for their exemplary leadership and service to their districts and the school business profession. The Eagle Awards are sponsored by Equitable.
"The 2024 Eagle Awards recipients are role models in every sense of the word, demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing the school business profession," ASBO International Executive Director Jim Rowan says. "This year's recipients exemplify service to the profession and the districts, communities, and students they serve. We could not be prouder of each of them and their accomplishments.”
ASBO International's 2024 International Eagle Award recipient is Michele Trongaard, CPA, RTSBA, SFO, associate superintendent of business and finance for Mansfield Independent School District in Mansfield, Texas.
Before joining Mansfield ISD, Trongaard served for 17 years in Wylie (Texas) ISD, becoming the district’s first female CFO. She came to Mansfield at the onset of COVID-19 and made a point of visiting all 48 campus principals throughout the year, explaining that “it was essential in building relationships and ensuring the success of Mansfield ISD.”
COVID was just one of the challenges Trongaard has faced with resilience and perseverance. She also navigated her district through $55 million in hailstorm damage, a school shooting with multiple injuries, and a cyberattack on the fourth day of school in 2022 that resulted in the loss of financial records.
An active member of ASBO International and a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO), Trongaard has led her districts to the Meritorious Budget Award and the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting. In 2019, she achieved the Pinnacle of Achievement Award for ingenuity and resourcefulness. She has attended and presented at various ASBO International and Texas ASBO conferences and events.
She will receive a $5,000 college scholarship to present to a high school student from her district.
ASBO International is also pleased to recognize three Distinguished Eagle Award recipients, who will each receive a $2,500 college scholarship to present to a high school student from their district:
Jill Barragan, assistant superintendent of business operations for Paradise Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona. Whether it’s mentoring colleagues, investing in her staff, advocating for equitable funding, or serving her local community, Jill Barragan has a reputation for advancing the goals of education through her work as a school business administrator.
For example, concerned about the underrepresentation of women in school district leadership, she worked with Arizona ASBO to institute the Women’s Executive Leadership Development Series to empower and equip women with the skills, knowledge, self-efficacy, and networks to thrive in executive positions. Her colleagues describe her as leading by example, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement within her district.
Jack Mitchell, EdD, SFO, assistant superintendent for business for Valley Stream Union Free School District 24 in Valley Stream, New York. Jack Mitchell’s commitment to leadership is evident in his service to his district and profession. An active member of New York ASBO and ASBO International, he has served on a variety of committees, conducted workshops, written articles, and presented at conferences. A fierce advocate for education, he has lobbied at the New York state capitol and advocated for education funding.
A Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations, Mitchell co-hosted ASBO International’s SBO Perspectives podcast for three years and has contributed to ASBO International’s Editorial Advisory Committee and Human Resources track. He is a member of ASBO’s Vision35 Task Force, helping shape the future of ASBO International and the school business profession.
Mary Ellen Normen, administrator for business and finance for Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Mary Ellen Normen’s commitment to the profession is evidenced by the countless hours she has devoted to guiding and supporting colleagues, sharing her knowledge, and empowering others to develop leadership skills. A past Massachusetts ASBO Board Member, she received the association’s prestigious President’s Award in 2015 and 2023 in recognition of her contributions to the profession.
Normen led a restructuring of the MASBO board into a more collaborative and data-driving organization, enhancing its ability to address emerging needs and priorities and ultimately benefitting the state’s 900,000 students and 650 school business professionals. She currently serves on ASBO International’s Education Committee.
"Equitable has proudly sponsored ASBO International's Eagle Awards for 18 years," says Fred Makonnen, Head of Group Retirement Sales & Distribution at Equitable. "We are immensely grateful to the 2024 recipients for their commitment to education and thank them for their service and leadership in their school districts and communities."
All award recipients will be formally recognized at ASBO International's 2024 Annual Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, September 18–20. Learn more about the ASBO International Eagle Awards at asbointl.org/Eagle.
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About ASBO International
The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) provides programs, resources, services, and a global network to school business professionals who are the finance and operations decision makers in school systems. Our members manage school budgeting, purchasing, facility operations and maintenance, human resources, technology, transportation, food service, healthcare, and other areas of education administration and operations. ASBO International promotes the highest standards of school business management, professional growth, and the effective use of educational resources.
About Equitable
Equitable, a principal franchise of Equitable Holdings, Inc.(NYSE: EQH), has been one of America’s leading financial services providers since 1859. With the mission to help clients secure their financial well-being, Equitable provides advice, protection and retirement strategies to individuals, families and small businesses. Equitable has more than 8,000 employees and Equitable Advisors financial professionals and serves 3 million clients across the country. Please visit equitable.com for more information. Reference to the 1859 founding applies specifically and exclusively to Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY). Equitable Advisors is the brand name of Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI and TN).