About OCCS
The Benefits Of Sponsorship. The Advantages Of Choice.
Our Team
The Ohio Council of Community Schools is led by experienced educators who share a commitment to high-quality education for all students. While the OCCS Board of Trustees sets the overall direction and mission for the organization, the leadership team and staff are responsible for its implementation.
Providing Sound Leadership Since 1998
Lenny Schafer, M.ED., PCC-S
Executive Director
Lenny Schafer, M.ED., PCC-S
Executive Director
Lenny has worked at the Ohio Council of Community Schools for 19 years and has served kids in a variety of capacities. He started as a Regional Representative in Northeast Ohio, served as the Associate Executive Director and was responsible for leading the new school development team. Lenny provided leadership over several OCCS departments — academics, special education, and compliance. Prior to OCCS, Lenny was a founding member of two dropout recovery high schools in Canton, Ohio. He holds a Master of Education in counseling and is an independently licensed professional clinical counselor. He founded Life’s Behavioral Solutions, a child and adolescent counseling center in Canton, Ohio. Lenny has a 20 year son, Ethan, who is a Sophomore at The University of Toledo and also has a cat named Tiki.
Christopher Trabbic, BA
Associate Executive Director of Operations
Christopher Trabbic, BA
Associate Executive Director of Operations
As the Associate Executive Director of Operations, Christopher Trabbic manages the development and maintenance of the information technology systems for OCCS and oversees the administrative staff and office operations. Prior to joining OCCS in 2004, Christopher obtained his bachelor’s degree in business from Bowling Green State University with focus in management information systems, computer science and history. He has 24 years of experience in information technology and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Maumee.
Jason Wall, M.Ed.
Associate Executive Director of Development
Jason Wall, M.Ed.
Associate Executive Director of Development
Jason Wall is the Associate Executive Director of Development for the Ohio Council of Community Schools. Jason has experience in many facets of Ohio's charter school movement, from teaching to developing an education management organization in 2012 and opening a new charter school. He has worked in the Center for School Finance for the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) where he calculated monthly charter school payments, developed policy, as well as managed the Ohio State Community School Administration System. He previously served as Director of Fiscal Services and Advocacy at OCCS. He received his undergraduate degree in education from Capital University (2000).
Darrin Beconder, BA
Vice President of Internal Oversight
Darrin Beconder, BA
Vice President of Internal Oversight
Darrin Beconder is the Vice President of Internal Oversight for OCCS. Darrin has been part of the community school movement for 19 years and brings invaluable expertise to our team in the areas of urban school leadership, school improvement, special education, operations and management. Prior to joining OCCS, Darrin served as Director of Support Operations for a management company and also as a school administrator in Akron, Cincinnati and Youngstown.
Tony Cardinal, M.Ed.
Vice President of External Oversight
Tony Cardinal, M.Ed.
Vice President of External Oversight
Tony Cardinal is the Vice President of External Oversight for OCCS. He has been working in education for over 18 years, the last fourteen of which were within the charter school movement. Tony has a Bachelor of Arts in science and a master’s degree in educational administration. Prior to joining OCCS, he was a high school teacher for four years and a K-8 principal for nine years. In these positions, Tony was responsible for academics, special education, testing, data, school finances, and ensuring the school was in compliance with state law.
Shelby Sauer, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Shelby Sauer, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Shelby Sauer is the Chief Financial Officer for OCCS. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Toledo. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a Licensed School Treasurer with over 22 years of experience in the field of financial analysis. Shelby is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She currently manages all internal financial data and assists with schools' monthly fiscal reviews. Additionally, she manages all internal human resource functions.
Todd Burger, MA
Director of Special Education
Todd Burger, MA
Director of Special Education
Todd Burger is the Director of Special Education at the Ohio Council of Community Schools. Todd has over 16 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator in both traditional and charter school settings. Todd earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Ohio Northern University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from The Ohio State University. As a licensed administrator, Todd has experience with curriculum design and development, special education program compliance, school improvement processes, and is a certified instructor in Crisis Prevention and Intervention.
Scott McClain, MA
Director of Regional Representatives
Scott McClain, MA
Director of Regional Representatives
Scott McClain is the Director of Regional Representatives. Scott has been working in education for over 19 years. Scott has a bachelor’s degree in management and a master’s degree in project management. Prior to joining OCCS, Scott was a classroom teacher, high school leader, and school board member.
Sarah Sánchez Everett, BS
Director of Communications
Sarah Sánchez Everett, BS
Director of Communications
Hailing from the great state of Texas, Sarah is a graduate of Bowling Green State University where she studied Broadcast Journalism. Shortly after earning her degree, she was asked to assist in launching an arts network in the Toledo area. After six years of hosting, editing, and production in the TV industry, Sarah is now the Director of Communications for OCCS and is responsible for managing and maintaining the OCCS social media accounts, the website, planning events and working to build partnerships with organizations across the state.
Judy Sgambati, M.Ed.
Director of Academics
Judy Sgambati, M.Ed.
Director of Academics
Judy Sgambati is the Director of Academics at the Ohio Council of Community Schools. Judy has over 21 years of experience in charter schools as a teacher, board member and administrator, as well as experience at the EMO and Sponsor level. She earned her bachelor’s of science degree in Elementary Education and bachelor’s of arts degree in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Xavier University. She is knowledgeable in data analysis, curriculum and instruction, English as a Second Language, and Special Education. She is also a member of the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children.
Adrianne C. Shreve, BS
Director of Fiscal Oversight
Adrianne C. Shreve, BS
Director of Fiscal Oversight
As the Director of Fiscal Oversight, Adrianne Shreve analyzes and monitors the fiscal viability of OCCS-sponsored schools. She is an Ohio licensed school treasurer. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Before joining the organization, Adrianne spent 10 years in public accounting, where she obtained a specialization in preparation of non-profit entity financial reporting and tax compliance.
Elisabeth Webb, MA
Director of Compliance
Elisabeth Webb, MA
Director of Compliance
Elisabeth Webb is the Director of Compliance for OCCS. Elisabeth has worked for OCCS since 2006, focused in the areas of compliance and governance. Elisabeth holds a master’s of arts in security studies from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s of arts in governance and business from Skidmore College. Her additional work experience includes, serving as a Director of Outreach for the Institute on Religion and Public Policy and a Research Assistant on the Global Terrorism Database project for the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.
Jessica Blair, M.Ed.
Assistant Director of Special Education
Jessica Blair, M.Ed.
Assistant Director of Special Education
Jessica Blair is the Assistant Director of Special Education at the Ohio Council of Community Schools. Jessica has over 16 years of experience in education as an Intervention Specialist and Administrator in both traditional and community schools. Jessica has a bachelor’s of science in Special Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision. Prior to joining the OCCS team, Jessica was an Intervention Specialist for five years and a K-8 principal for seven years.
Keith Hutcherson
Associate Director of Information Technology
Keith Hutcherson
Associate Director of Information Technology
With over 25 years of experience in the computer industry, Keith joined OCCS in 2008 and is now the Associate Director of Information Technology. Keith is A+ certified as a computer technician and specializes in several computing areas: desktop operating systems, Microsoft Office, Adobe, and Filemaker Pro. In his current role, he supports and coordinates the various activities of OCCS’ IT department, conducts analyses of departmental procedures, troubleshoots and repairs problems, and helps support and maintain multiple databases for OCCS personnel on a day-to-day basis. Keith also contributes to OCCS projects that require innovative technological and data solutions. He recently completed the Dale Carnegie “Effective Communications and Human Relations" course.
Wendy Rowland, M.Ed.
Southwest Ohio Regional Representative
Wendy Rowland, M.Ed.
Southwest Ohio Regional Representative
Wendy Rowland is the Southwest Ohio Regional Representative and Special Education Coordinator for OCCS. She has a master’s in Educational Administration from Xavier University and over a decade of experience in the charter school movement. Prior to joining the OCCS team, Wendy was a middle school teacher in a charter school for four years.
Matthew Trzcinski, BA
Contract Analyst
Matthew Trzcinski, BA
Contract Analyst
Matthew Trzcinski joined OCCS in 2006 and currently serves as the Contract Analyst. Prior to joining the organization, Matthew worked for a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives who was instrumental in bringing charter schools to Ohio. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo and began his work with OCCS as a member of the compliance team. Since then, he has worked in all aspects of charter school oversight, from being a regional representative in Columbus, to working with school governing authorities in charter contract renewal, and working through the process of new school development.
Willa Bundy
Compliance Specialist
Willa Bundy
Compliance Specialist
Willa has worked with OCCS since 2006 in the areas of administrative support, compliance, and record keeping. In her current role, she supports the compliance team. Prior to joining OCCS, she managed an after-school program at a Toledo-area private school and has served as a residential property manager. Willa earned her associate's degree in Business Management from the University of Toledo and continues to work outside of OCCS as a legal secretary and notary public.
Danielle Hier, Ph.D.
Northeast Ohio Regional Representative
Danielle Hier, Ph.D.
Northeast Ohio Regional Representative
Danielle Hier has been working in education for over 27 years with a variety of experiences from virtual environments and brick and mortar. She has supported and lead school choice, special education directives, and research. This includes holding multiple leadership and administrative roles overseeing elementary to high school students, staff, and teachers. Danielle has a bachelor’s degree in Arts of Science of Education, a master’s degree in Educational Administration and a doctorate in Educational School Leadership.
Felicia Hunt
Administrative Specialist
Felicia Hunt
Administrative Specialist
Felicia joined OCCS in 2013 as an Administrative Specialist, after nearly a decade of retail management experience. In her role, Felicia assists with event and conference planning, travel arrangements, graphic design, and overall administrative support. She has completed coursework at Huntington University and International Business College.
Kristin Katakis, M.Ed.
Northwest Ohio Regional Representative
Kristin Katakis, M.Ed.
Northwest Ohio Regional Representative
Kristin Katakis is the Northwest Ohio Regional Representative. She has worked in the education field for the past 15 years, 10 of those at a virtual charter school. Her experience includes teaching high school social studies, mentoring teachers, working closely with administrators as well as planning and leading professional development sessions. Kristin earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bowling Green State University and master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Educational Technology from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining the team at OCCS, Kristin worked in education technology, providing critical skills focused online programs to local school districts.
Paige LaPoint, BBA
Compliance Specialist
Paige LaPoint, BBA
Compliance Specialist
Paige LaPoint is a Compliance Specialist for OCCS. She graduated from the University of Toledo with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in May 2020, with a major in Business Management and a minor in Digital Marketing. Prior to joining OCCS, she was at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo as a Resource Development & Grants Coordinator and helped with events and marketing.
Lexi Quinlivan, BBA
Communications Specialist
Lexi Quinlivan, BBA
Communications Specialist
Lexi joined OCCS in the fall of 2019 as the Communications Intern during her Senior year at the University of Toledo. She graduated cum laude with her Bachelor's in Business Administration in May 2020, with a major in Marketing and Digital Marketing minor. Her background in graphic design and social media management is applied in her role working alongside the Communications team. In July of 2020, Lexi began her role as the Communications Assistant. She is responsible for assisting in the maintenance of the social media accounts, the website, and the coordination of events with OCCS partnerships.
Diane Russell
Fiscal Analyst
Diane Russell
Fiscal Analyst
Diane joined the fiscal services team in 2015. Diane has been a QuickBooks ProAdvisor since 2000 and has worked on behalf of a member of the Sage Accountant’s Network for the past 15 years. She is also experienced with SAP and Great Plains software. Diane spent more than a decade in public accounting firms providing a wide range of accounting services including bookkeeping, payroll filing and compilation work. She has worked with multiple nonprofit organizations implementing accounting software and offering technical support. Diane also has experience as tech support for QuickBooks and Sage software and spent some time in private industry accounting.
Lori Rysz
Compliance Paralegal
Lori Rysz
Compliance Paralegal
Lori has worked with OCCS for the past 12 years and is currently in the role of Paralegal for the Compliance Department. Lori has 21 years of compliance-related experience, 16 years of school related experience, and 12 years of compliance database management experience. Lori also handles parental complaints, provides fingerprinting services for background checks to the Ohio Attorney General, and is a Notary Public. Lori attended Monroe County Community College and recently received her Paralegal Certificate. Prior to her employment with OCCS, Lori’s business experience included working as a Student/Family Services Coordinator for the Performing Arts School of Metropolitan Toledo, President and Peer Grief Counselor for the Greater Toledo SIDS Support Network, and Assistant to the Regional Leasing Manager for Simon Property Group, LLC and Property Manager for Nationwide-Northtowne, LLC.
Stephanie Trawick
Central Ohio Regional Representative
Stephanie Trawick
Central Ohio Regional Representative
Stephanie Trawick is the Central Ohio Regional Representative. She has worked in the education field for the past 11 years, working in the public school system in and around Columbus. Her experience includes teaching reading intervention, special education, middle school reading/language arts and social studies, and elementary reading/language arts and social studies. Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Childhood Education in the areas of Reading Language Arts and Social Studies from Ohio University. Prior to joining the OCCS team, Stephanie was an elementary school teacher in Columbus for four years.