FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2022

Contact: Molly Barrie
866.682.2729 x7075
[email protected]

ASBO International Awards District Leaders Highest Honor in School Business Profession

Ashburn, Va. – June 29, 2022 – The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 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 Eagle Awards recognize school business professionals who have made unique contributions to the success of their school districts and the advancement of the school business profession," ASBO International Executive Director David J. Lewis says. "This year's recipients have proven that a commitment to ensuring all students a high-quality education can overcome even the most daunting challenges. We are thankful for their service to their districts and the school business profession."

ASBO International's 2022 International Eagle Award recipient is Anya Bailey Randle, SFO, chief financial officer for Assumption Parish Schools in Napoleonville, Louisiana. Faced with the challenges of limited revenues in her rural district, Randle implemented a program to restructure the district's investment portfolio, which allowed earnings income to increase on average $425,000 per year and overhauled outdated spending mechanisms by nearly $2 million per year to which the district now braids funding to collaboratively prioritize initiatives. As a result, the district has its most significant fund balance ever—more than $23 million. A self-described servant leader with a vision of building the next generation of school business leaders, Randle established the Aspiring Leaders of LASBO (ALL) Institute to provide leadership and performance training for more than 120 future school business leaders. 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:

Christina P. Berta, MBA, SFO, assistant superintendent of business and operations for Hanover County Public Schools, Ashland, VA. Although she started her position with Hanover County Public Schools amid the pandemic, Berta leveraged her relationship-building skills and her range of experience across the Commonwealth of Virginia to successfully address dozens of bus driver vacancies, new USDA regulations for meal service, a one-to-one computing initiative, and the district's first new school construction in 15 years. She stresses the importance of presenting facts and accurate information to build and establish trust and open dialogue.

Channa Byerly, PhD, superintendent for Duncan Public Schools in Duncan, Oklahoma. Byerly believes it's her responsibility not only to be the highest-quality school business official for her district, but to give back to the profession and mentor others as well. She forges lasting connections between the business community and the district, and has developed many additional revenue streams for donations and grants. Active with ASBO International, she has mentored new school business leaders, presented at professional conferences, and chaired various committees. Within her district, Byerly built trust by educating stakeholders on where the district was sitting financially in some of the most challenging economic times.

Cindy M. Reilmann, CPA, SFO, director of finance for the Francis Howell R-III School District in St. Charles, Missouri. Engagement is the hallmark of Reilmann's 20-year career. Recognizing that school business means more than managing the district's finances, she stepped into the role of helping coordinate transportation, food services, and communication to ensure student services during the pandemic. Reilmann has also invested many years as a servant leader with ASBO International and Missouri ASBO, chairing and serving on committees, presenting at conferences, contributing to association publications, and encouraging school business officials to share their stories on the state and national levels.

"For 16 years, Equitable has proudly sponsored ASBO International's Eagle Awards," says Fred Makonnen, Equitable divisional vice president and head of western public retirement markets and strategic partnerships. "We admire the 2022 recipients for their commitment to education—especially during troubling times—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 2022 Annual Conference & Expo, September 14–17, in Portland, Oregon. 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) is a nonprofit organization that, through its members and affiliates, represents approximately 30,000 school business professionals worldwide. ASBO International is committed to providing programs, services, and a global network that promote the highest standards in school business. Its members support student achievement through effective resource management in various areas ranging from finance and operations to food services and transportation. Learn more at asbointl.org.

About Equitable
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¹LIMRA, Not-For-Profit Survey, Q2 2021 results, based on 403(b) participants and contributions. Refers to Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company. GE-3264456d(10/20)(exp.10/22)