FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2025
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 International) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 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 2025 Eagle Awards recipients truly embody what it means to be role models, demonstrating exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing the school business profession,” says Jim Rowan, Executive Director of ASBO International. “They exemplify service not only to the profession, but also to the districts, communities, and students they support. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and honored to recognize their contributions.”
ASBO International's 2025 International Eagle Award recipient is Robert Saul, PCSBA, RSBO, SFO, business administrator for East Penn School District in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Robert began his school business career in 1999 and has been a member of ASBO International since 2002. In 2017, Robert became a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations® (SFO). He currently serves as the chair of ASBO International’s Editorial Advisory Committee and also sits on the Education Advisory Committee.
With more than 25 years of experience in school business management, Robert has dedicated his career to not only managing resources but also modernizing practices, mentoring colleagues, and advancing the profession. His primary focus has always been on serving students, supporting colleagues, and strengthening communities. At the district level, he has implemented systems that enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency, such as integrating student activity funds into financial software, streamlining accounts payable and financial reporting, leading long-range fiscal planning, and designing investment strategies that maximize returns while protecting public funds.
In addition to his district work, Robert has actively contributed to the profession through leadership roles in professional organizations. As a Pennsylvania ASBO (PASBO) board member and officer, he promoted strategic initiatives and expanded leadership development opportunities, including launching the Emerging Leader Summit. He has also served on various committees and boards, such as ASBO International’s Bylaws Committee and the Pennsylvania School District Liquid Asset Fund, advocating for professional learning, ethical standards, and operational excellence.
Collaboration is at the heart of Robert’s work. He has created peer learning opportunities through user groups, regional forums, and shared resources via PASBO and ASBO International. Through strategic planning, training, and mentorship, he strives to uplift colleagues, believing that when professionals elevate each other, they strengthen the entire profession and positively impact students, colleagues, and communities.
He will receive a $5,000 college scholarship to present to a high school student from his 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:
Susan Barkley, chief financial officer for Shelby County Public Schools in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Susan started at the West Virginia Department of Education in 1997 as Coordinator of School Finance and, through years of dedicated service, advanced to Executive Director. Since 2014 she has been the Chief Financial Officer for Shelby County Public Schools. Susan joined ASBO International in 2024.
Susan has advanced the school business profession through leadership, innovation, and dedicated service, always focusing on supporting student success via sound fiscal management. She trains new superintendents in fiscal leadership as part of the finance faculty for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. Susan has maximized resources through strategic budgeting, led salary schedule revisions to improve equity and retention, and successfully advocated for eliminating all student fees by securing alternative funding. Serving as President of her state ASBO and a Southeastern ASBO board member, she champions transparency and professional growth, mentoring future leaders to lead with clarity, confidence, and integrity.
Amanda Brackett, chief financial officer for Tippecanoe School Corporation in Lafayette, Indiana, started her school business journey in 2004 and joined ASBO International in 2015. Amanda served on the Annual Meeting Program Committee for several years as a content expert in multiple areas.
Amanda has advanced the school business profession through dedicated leadership, innovation, and active engagement. She has earned recognition with the Indiana ASBO Chief Business Officer of the Year and the prestigious John F. Young Lamplighter award. Serving on the Indiana ASBO Board of Directors, Amanda influences strategic direction while sharing expertise through workshops on grants management, payroll, and audits. She has led process improvements such as implementing a new chart of accounts and paperless payroll transitions. Active in professional associations and advisory boards, Amanda remains committed to advocacy, collaboration, and driving positive change in school business management.
J. Scott Gooding, II, treasurer/chief financial officer for Big Walnut Local School District in Sunbury, Ohio, has 28 years of experience as a school business professional, working in districts from small rural areas to Ohio’s largest. He has served extensively with Ohio ASBO (OASBO), including nine years on its Board of Directors in roles from Secretary/Treasurer to President.
Passionate about advancing the profession, Scott mentors new leaders and helps them build strong networks through OASBO and ASBO International. He promotes strategic, transparent budgeting aligned with academic goals, improving outcomes and sustainability. Committed to leadership, mentorship, and integrity, Scott strives to strengthen the field and support student success.
“Equitable has been a proud sponsor of ASBO International’s Eagle Awards for 19 years,” says Fred Makonnen, Head of Group Retirement Sales & Distribution at Equitable. “We are deeply grateful to the 2025 recipients for their dedication to education and commend their outstanding leadership and service within their school districts and communities.”
All award recipients will be formally recognized at ASBO International's 2025 Annual Conference & Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. Learn more about the ASBO International Eagle Awards at asbointl.org/Eagle.
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About ASBO International
Founded in 1910, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO Intl.) is a nonprofit association offering programs, resources, services, and a global network to K–12 finance and operations decision‑makers. Our members manage budgeting, procurement, facilities, human resources, technology, transportation, food service, healthcare, and more, upholding the highest standards of school business management and driving the effective use of educational resources. Through professional certifications, advocacy, and year‑round development opportunities, ASBO International equips school business officials to deliver operational excellence and support student success. Learn more at asbointl.org.
About Equitable
Equitable is dedicated to empowering educators with tailored retirement solutions and has been the #1 provider of 403(b) plans in K-12 schools for over a decade. Understanding the unique challenges faced by schools and their staff, Equitable offers customizable retirement plans designed to simplify saving and reduce administrative burdens. With nearly $1 trillion in assets under management and close to 1 million educator clients, Equitable provides tools, resources, and personalized guidance to support educators at every career stage—from new hires to those nearing retirement. Our financial professionals offer hands-on assistance, helping educators supplement their pensions with tax-deferred contributions. Through our 18-year partnership with ASBO International—and as the exclusive sponsor of the Eagle Awards since 2008—Equitable continues to celebrate and support those who champion education.