Meet our speakers and workshop session leaders. They represent an all-star lineup of industry thought leaders, CFIS practitioners, and SSG management.
Siva Kakuturi is the founder and president of Sivic Solutions Group. He has more than 25 years of software development and implementation experience including with web-based technologies. With responsibility for multiple active development and operations projects at any one time, Mr. Kakuturi has a wide range of experience and expertise and resides in upstate New York. Siva holds a Master of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelors’ degree in Mechanical Engineering
Eric D. Seguin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Solix, Inc. Eric was closely involved in Solix’ acquisition and integration of Sivic Solutions Group, LLC, and is responsible for the overall management of all operating units, client relationships, and service delivery. He has more than 30 years of regulatory, financial, operational, and corporate development experience. In addition to his experience at Solix, Eric served for 4 years as the Chief of Economic Policy at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Before that, he was Director of State Programs at the National Exchange Carrier Association. Eric also served in the 50th Armored Division of the N.J. Army National Guard and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1996. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from St. Leo University, and an MBA in Finance from The College of William & Mary. He has also completed Executive Education at the Harvard Business School.
Dr. Andy Lin is the Chief Information Officer of Solix, Inc. Andy joined Solix in 2022 after most recently serving as Vice President & CIO of the Americas Region and Technical Head of Digital Innovation for Ansell Healthcare. Prior to his tenure at Ansell, Mr. Lin had more than 10 years of increasing responsibilities at Oracle, BEA Systems, and AT&T Bell Labs. Andy earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University, and an M.S. and B.E. in Computer Science from Tsinghua University in China. He also completed Executive Education at the Wharton School.
Sabrina Jamison is the Bureau Chief for the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). She has been with ODJFS since 2005 and has worked within BCFTA for approximately 12 years. Sabrina’s BCFTA experience includes serving as the Section Chief of the Policy and Analysis Section and has experience as a Fiscal Supervisor providing technical assistance to county agencies. Sabrina received her Master of Public Administration Degree from Southwest Texas State University and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Austin.is the Bureau Chief for County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of all CFIS modules
Matt Damschroder was appointed interim director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) by Gov. Mike DeWine in March 2021 and was named permanent director in July 2021. No stranger to the important work at ODJFS, Matt and his wife have been foster parents and have two adopted children. He understands how adoption and foster care can change a child's life – and the lives of the adoptive and foster parents! At ODJFS, Matt has inspired innovation and transformational change to improve services to customers and support employees. With the help of talented, passionate employees throughout the agency, ODJFS has: • Implemented a new system for employers to pay and track unemployment taxes. • Added tools to safeguard our technology systems and benefits programs against fraudsters. • Implemented new policies and programs to help unemployed Ohioans return to work faster. • Incentivized employers to sponsor apprenticeships by covering training and tool costs. • Modified our benefits self-service portal to simplify user experiences. • Simplified application and renewal forms to apply for nutrition benefits. • Expanded machine-learning tools to automate business processes. • Modernized shared services with county offices to give them greater flexibility in delivering their services. • Created a program for employees to share innovations and suggestions to improve services and processes. • Made it easier for the public to engage with ODJFS by moving to a new user-friendly website at jfs.ohio.gov. • Led the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic when extraordinary numbers of Ohioans needed benefits, bad actors were scamming the system, employees had to be shifted to remote operations, and federal and state policies were changed frequently. Prior to joining ODJFS, Matt served as director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) since January 2019. While at DAS, he brought a focus of customer service to the agency. Under his direction, there was a renewed effort to provide innovative and secure technology through the Office of Information Technology and its InnovateOhio Platform. He also focused on customer-centric improvements to the State's procurement functions and helped further Gov. DeWine's efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in State government, including making the State of Ohio a model employer for individuals with disabilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt led DAS efforts to utilize information technology and data to help health officials make informed decisions and communicate with the public while using DAS procurement and logistics expertise to secure and distribute more than 140 million pieces of personal protective equipment. Prior to joining DAS, Matt served in the office of then-Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. There, he first served as Secretary Husted's State Elections Director from 2011 to 2014, then as the Assistant Secretary of State and Chief of Staff. A native of Columbus, Matt holds an M.A. in Public Policy and Management from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and a B.S. in Business Administration from the Max M. Fisher College of Business, both at The Ohio State University.
Jon Hoeneck is the Executive Director of the Ohio Job and Family Service Directors’ Association (OJFSDA.) The association represents Ohio’s 88 counties on public assistance matters including cash assistance, Medicaid, child support, child protective services, food assistance and workforce programs. OJFSDA also provides legislative support to the membership and assists counties in the operations of social service programs.
Trinity Tomsic is the Deputy Executive Director of Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS), a national organization that examines the fiscal impact of federal budget and policy decisions on state budgets and programs. Prior to joining FFIS, Tomsic was the Director of the Grants Management Division for Maryland’s Department of Human Services. Tomsic also analyzed state budget and federal funding issues for the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Association of State Budget Officers. She holds an MA Economics and a BA in Communications, Law, Economics and Government from American University in Washington, DC.
Kara Wente is the Director of Department of Children and Youth. Kara Wente has spent her career advocating for children. In August 2023, Governor Mike DeWine nominated her to be the director of the Department of Children and Youth. She has served as the Director of the Governor’s Children’s Initiative since January 2023 and was previously the Chief Operating Officer for Future Ready Columbus. With more than 20 years in dedicated state service, Wente has extensive experience in serving the most vulnerable children and families in Ohio. She used data as an accountability tool for systemic change during her time as the Assistant Director of Health and Human Services at the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services and led several large-scale system and policy changes as Deputy Director at the Office of Family Assistance. Wente holds a Master’s in Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University.
Jeff Van Deusen is the Assistant Director of Department of Children and Youth. Jeff has over 25 years of experience leading, driving, and implementing policy, operational, cultural, and programmatic change across public and non-profit agencies whose mission is to provide services and supports to children and families. Currently, Jeff serves as the Assistant Director for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) where he works collaboratively with the agency Director to oversee key child programs and initiatives across Ohio, including early care and education, early intervention, maternal and infant vitality, early childhood mental health, and children services. Prior to this role, Jeff spent 17 years at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) where he served in various leadership roles, most recently as the Deputy Director of the Office of Families and Children directing the daily operation of Ohio’s children services system. Jeff was responsible for setting the strategic vision for the office, as well as leading the agency’s execution and delivery of mission critical services and Governor Mike DeWine’s children services advisory council recommendations. Jeff also served as Bureau Chief within ODJFS, overseeing Ohio’s child care licensing and Step Up To Quality programs. As a recognized leader in various children and family systems, Jeff is passionate about collaborating with stakeholders and using data to drive systemic change. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a master’s degree in political science/public administration from Ohio University.
Suresh Muppala is the Vice President of Application Development & Business Services of Sivic Solutions Group. He has over 35 years of experience in systems development, implementation and management as well as 23 years of expertise in government services. His expansive career includes development of systems for State & local government agencies, Retail Banking, Depository, SCADA systems and implementation of ERP systems. He has provided technical oversight and management services for numerous application development projects, including CFIS for Sivic Solutions Group. Suresh holds a Master of Science degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications.
Mark Anderson is the County Finance Information System (CFIS) Fiscal Project Manager in the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). He works with the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) on all Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program (CCMEP) fiscal matters and manages the fiscal side of CCMEP. He provides training and technical assistance for the Client Level Tracking (CLT) which includes WIOA based services, supports the Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) modules, kiosks, and the OMJ MOU process in CFIS. Mark conducts training and technical assistance for CFIS Ledger Functions and any other CFIS assistance county or state staff may need. Mark also manages the CFIS enhancements process and the disaster recovery testing process. Mark has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Accounting from Franklin University and an MBA from Ashland University.
Tasia Blackwell is a Senior Financial Analyst for the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA). She is the newest addition to the team and has been with BCFTA since August of 2024. In her current role she is training so she can create a strong partnership with county agencies by providing technical assistance and ensuring they have the tools needed to perform necessary tasks. She comes to us with over 10 years of finance experience obtained in both the private and public sector, a Master of Business Administration with a focus area in financial management, a Bachelor of Science with a focus area in applied (office) management and a certified administrative assistant with multiple office and internet computing core certifications.
Terri Burns was appointed director of the Summit County Executive’s Department of Job and Family Services in February 2018 after serving as the agency’s chief financial officer for four years. Summit County DJFS is a standalone agency with over 350 employees. For nine years prior to joining Summit County, Terri oversaw the fiscal operations for the Portage County Department of Job and Family Services, a quadruple combined agency. Terri is a CPA with an MS in Accounting and an MBA from Kent State University and chairs the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association (OJFSDA) Fiscal Committee.
Shelia Cunningham is a WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment Services Coordinator with over 20 years of experience at the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS). She spent 11 years in the Office of Unemployment Insurance Organization (OUIO) before transitioning in 2010 to an Employment Professional role supporting the Wagner Peyser program at the Summit County OhioMeansJobs Center. In November 2022, Shelia joined the WIOA Training and Technical Assistance Team within the Office of Workforce Development (OWD), where she leverages her extensive experience to serve Ohioans, local areas, and the OWD unit. She holds a bachelor’s degree in management science and Sociology from Kean University in New Jersey.
Kyle Erwin has been a Regional Fiscal Supervisor with BCFTA for a year and a half. Prior to his time at BCFTA, Kyle had spent 9 years at the Department of Commerce with roles in Licensing and Financial Administration. He was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio attending Ohio University and the University of Cincinnati.
Matthew Farschman is a Business Process Analyst in the ODJFS Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) working with the County Finance Information System (CFIS). Matt is working with the CFIS Project Manager, Mark Anderson on the fiscal operations of the CFIS system to support all 88 Ohio counties. Matt has a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in Art & Technology, is a Certified Fiscal Professional through The Ohio Fiscal Academy, and received a certification for the Software Development program from The Tech Academy (Portland, OR).
Jeffrey Felton received his Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and his Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro in Clinical Psychology. With over 30 years experience managing social services agencies in Ohio and Pennsylvania. After serving as the Director of the Washington County Children and Youth Services (Pennsylvania) agency he returned to Ohio. Most recently he served at the director of Medina County JFS before moving closer to his home to be the Director of Belmont County JFS where he has been since 2020. As a father of three, he has been married to his wife Jan for 46 years and is the proud “Papa” of seven grandchildren.
David Felty currently serves as a Project Manager for the Systems Project Unit within the Office of Workforce Development (OWD). He currently manages system enhancement and maintenance projects for WIOA Title I performance reporting, Identity and Access Management (IDAM), CFIS, and WIET applications. He has served within the Office of Workforce Development for over ten years and serves as the technical resource for SAP Business Objects (BO) ad-hoc reporting. David previously served as a Supplemental Instructor of Statistics at Ohio University while earning his MBA in Finance.
John C. Folkwas appointed the Fiscal Officer of the Workforce Investment Ohio Area 8 serving Mercer, Auglaize, Hardin and Van Wert counties in 2002. In his role as CFO he was responsible for setting up the fiscal unit, writing procedures to adhere to Federal, State and Local regulations and policies. While at Area 8, he was instrumental in setting up the State Workforce Fiscal Committee and sat as Co Chair of that committee for several years working to bring County Fiscal and State fiscal staff together to address matters of fiscal concern. In 2012 he was appointed to Allen County Department of Job and Family Service as the Business Administrator of the Public Assistance and Workforce agency to oversee the business and financial matters of that agency. While in Allen County he took part in organizing the Northwest Director’s Association Fiscal Workgroup and sat as Chair of that organization. In 2017, he was appointed to the dual role as Director/Fiscal Officer of the Hardin County DJFS. A triple combine agency including Workforce, Public Assistance and Children’s Services in addition to the Administrative Agent for the Hardin County Family and Children First Council. In 2022, he accepted a position of Fiscal Officer for Champaign County DJFS a quadruple combined agency. John a member of the OJFSDA Fiscal Committee assisting with the Maximizing Allocation Workbook and sits on the PCSAO Finance Committee.
Scott France has nearly 24 years of experience working for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Scott spent the first 15 years in the Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services working in positions within the Bureau of County Finance & Technical Assistance, Accounting, Budget, and Cost Management. Scott currently works in the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) including the last six years as the Budget Coordinator. The Grants Management section within OWD is currently responsible for 85 grants with an annual revenue of approximately $170 million. Scott has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and an Master’s of Business Administration from Tiffin University.
Lisa Gallagher-Hall is a Human Service Program Administrator 3 in the Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services, and she manages the WIOA/CCMEP Program Monitoring Reviews. She has been employed by the State of Ohio for over sixteen years. She obtained her Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Forensic Psychology (12/2010) along with her second Master of Business Administration with a dual concentration in Marketing (12/2014) and Human Resources (5/2015) from Tiffin University.
Patti Gorman is a graduate of Davis & Elkins College where she earned a bachelor’s degree majoring in accounting and management. She currently serves ODJFS as a project manager within BCFTA. Among various projects, she co-facilitates ODJFS’s Fiscal Leadership Program. She also works with internal bureaus, program offices and county agencies in areas of fiscal compliance and reporting. Prior to her employment with ODJFS, Patti worked at Franklin County DJFS both as an RMS Coordinator and Internal Auditor. Throughout her career she has worked in public accounting, for-profit, not-for-profit, and governmental agencies. Through her experience she has developed knowledge in a variety of fiscal areas including grants management and analysis. Patti is a graduate of OBM’s Ohio Fiscal Academy; certified in both LEAN and Change Management Processes; and is active in service-based community organizations.
Kelly Hickle-Lentz is the current Operations Administrator for Wood County Job and Family Services, she has held this positive for over seven years. This position oversees and manages several agency wide functions including Fiscal, IT, and Custodial services. Prior to assuming this position she worked in Children’s Services for almost twenty years in a variety of roles including 18 years as a supervisor. Kelly is also currently an OCWTP professional trainer, training Supervisor CORE as well as other supervisor and caseworker related training topics. Kelly has been a member/founding member of several state-wide, regional and local committees and task forces as it relates to Job and Family Services work.
Elizabeth King brings over 25 years of experience with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), where she has served in various capacities, including Customer Service Representative, Employment Services Professional, and Trade Delivery Professional. In November 2022, she joined the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Training and Technical Assistance Team within the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) as an Employment Service Coordinator. In this role, she delivers training, support, and guidance to our local WIOA partners. Elizabeth holds degrees in Business and Hospitality Management
Hannah Knies is currently the Bureau Chief of SNAP/TANF Policy at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Prior to her current role, Hannah worked in the Office of Families and Children, then Department of Children and Youth, as a Project Manager. She started at JFS in the Bureau of Cash/Food Policy and Technical Assistance and worked as the Program Administrator for the Office of Family Assistance. Hannah has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Anderson University and a master’s degree in social work from Ohio State University.
Tiffany Knight is an Ohio native, Franklin University Alum, with a background in accounting, tax, and now proudly serving Ohio’s region 5 fiscal staff. You’ll find Tiffany seeking out statistics, exceling with spreadsheets, or simply cuddling with her beloved Pomeranian Pikachu (during non-work hours of course). Tiffany is happy to be sharing her love of all things fiscal - co-presenting at this year’s conference. Stop by and chat with Tiffany today, she’ll be glad you did!
Matthew Kurtz has worked in the JFS world since 1992. Originally hired as the Chief Financial Officer in Knox County he served there as CFO and Technology Officer until 2009 when he was promoted to Director of the triple combined agency. Matt joined Lorain County JFS as their Assistant Director in March of 2022 and is heavily involved in the financial operation of that metro county.
Matthew Linn has worked for JFS for 30 years. He graduated Marion Technical College as a Paralegal. He began his JFS career by becoming an Eligibility Worker at Marion County JFS in 1994. He later transferred to Crawford County JFS to serve in the same capacity. He was promoted to a Quality Control Trainer/Supervisor in 2000. He then began his employment with the Ohio Department of JFS as a Quality Control Reviewer in 2002. He was promoted to a Fraud Control Specialist in 2006. In 2013 he transferred to the Management Evaluation Unit where he served until he was promoted to Quality Control Unit Chief in 2018. Then, in 2021, he was promoted to Section Chief where he was in charge of the Quality Control and Management Evaluation Units. Finally, in January of this year, Matt was promoted to Interim Bureau Chief over the Bureau of Program Integrity.
Sean Miller has been with BCFTA almost 5 years and is currently the Regional Fiscal Supervisor for Region 6. Sean brought a fiscal background with him to the state as he spent 20+ years with Stark and Tuscarawas Counties in Purchasing and as a Fiscal Supervisor. Sean was born and raised in Canton, Ohio. Sean attended The Ohio State University and University of Akron.
Karen Murnane has been with the State since 2004. She spent nearly 12 years with DODD as the Developmental Center Budget Analyst, as well as the Co-Administrator of their Random Moment Sample system. In 2016, Karen transitioned to JFS to take on the role of JFS RMS Administrator, a newly created position to oversee and Administrate the JFS RMS system. In this role, Karen provides nearly all RMS training, both on-line and in person, as well as recorded trainings, manuals, analysis and outreach.
Denise Olson is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. She began her career with the Sandusky County Department of Job and Family Services and moved to the state office in 1993. Denise has been a Quality Control Reviewer, a Deputy Account Manager, the section chief over Program Policy Services, and is currently a Project Manager. One of the projects Denise oversees is the pilot Benefit Bridge program. Denise resides in the greater Toledo area with her husband Mark and her two college children. Go Bucks and Musketeers!
Chasity Parks has 18 years of experience at Job and Family Services—including ten years at the state level—I bring a deep understanding of public assistance programs and policy. I currently serve as the Fraud Control Unit Chief of Training and Technical Assistance within the Bureau of Program Integrity at ODJFS. In this role, I lead efforts to support and strengthen fraud prevention and benefit recovery related to SNAP and Cash Assistance. Previously, I served as Section Chief of Program Policy, where I oversaw the development and delivery of training on SNAP and Cash Assistance eligibility policies. My career has been driven by a commitment to integrity, clarity in policy implementation, and continuous improvement in service delivery.
Graig Pellman is a case management analyst in the Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services. Graig has over 34 years of state and local government experience in various roles, including 24years in workforce-related activities. He currently monitors the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP), and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana.
Dawnielle Pierce is a dynamic people person with over 20 years of experience in leadership training and executive coaching. She is known for using humor and storytelling to educate people on leadership principles. Many have seen Dawnielle’s work by attending a session in the State’s Lead Ohio program. The program was designed, developed and delivered by Dawnielle and was the first statewide leadership program to be required for all new supervisors and managers in the State of Ohio. She now works as a Training and Relationship Manager for Job and Family Services.
John Piper joined Coshocton County JFS as the Fiscal Officer in May 2024 where he leads a small fiscal team in a Quad Combined Agency. He has a varied background in banking, insurance and sales management. John has an MBA from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
John (Jack) Regis started at the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services in 1999 as a public assistance case manager and served in that role for 14 years before being promoted to the role of budget officer in the fiscal unit of the agency. In 2020, he was promoted as the agency’s fiscal administrator. Jack’s fiscal experience includes budgeting for a quadrupled combined agency and as the fiscal agent for WIOA Workforce Area 16 (Belmont, Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties), and the Belmont County Family Children First Council. Other responsibilities include completing monthly financial reports, preparing contracts and monitoring, monitoring RMS samples, projecting budgets and allocations, and completing quarterly close activities. Jack is also the recording secretary for the OJFSDA Fiscal Committee, fiscal officer for the Belmont County FCFC, and represent BCDJFS on the Belmont County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Raye Riley is a Financial Program Manager in the ODJFS Office of Workforce Development’s (OWD’s) Grants Management section. Raye has been with ODJFS for 19 years, including 4 years in the ODJFS Office of Contracts & Acquisitions as a Paralegal and 15 years with OWD. She currently leads the Financial/Subaward Compliance Unit that is responsible for OWD’s agreements, allocations, and federal grant applications.
Tatiana Robinson works within the BCFTA Office of Fiscal and Monitoring Services whose role is a Fiscal Supervisor for Region 3. Tatiana’s introduction into ODJFS was becoming a CFIS Help Desk representative in February of 2022. Tatiana assists county agencies with fiscal questions, training, and issues and provides resolutions. Prior to ODJFS, Tatiana worked in corporate finance in the private sector for two major banks. Tatiana received her Master of Business Administration from Franklin University and her Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University.
Vonda Rowe has over 24 years of experience with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and has been serving the citizens of Ohio. She began her career in the Office of Unemployment Insurance Organization (OUIO) in 2000. She later transferred to the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) and worked as a Trade Delivery Professional for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. She joined the WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Training and Technical Assistance team serving in her current role as an Employment Services Coordinator in June 2023. Vonda’s strengths include building strong and productive relationships with state and local area staff and sharing her extensive knowledge of ARIES to provide educational and corrective case management technical assistance.
Heidi Rowland is serving as the Employment Support Administrator for the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP). She began her career in CCMEP in 2017 in Muskingum County and have been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals ever since. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Human Services and brings over seven years of experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. During that time, she discovered her passion for helping individuals maintain self-sufficiency and reach their fullest potential. In addition to her professional role, she is actively involved in my community through volunteering and participation in leadership initiatives.
Dan Shook has over 27 years of State and Local Government experience. Additionally, he has 3 years’ experience at a nationally recognized not-for-profit agency, focusing on older youth adoption. He has been provided many opportunities to serve state and local governments, public and private agencies, and most importantly children and families of Ohio and beyond. He has immense experience with State and County budget processes, cost analysis procedures, procurement of goods and services and tracking of expenditures against budgets. Further, his expertise extends to state and federal revenue maximization, cost containment, fund flexibility and efficiency. Mr. Shook has a long history of public service with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where his final role served was as the Deputy Director of the Office of Families and Children. Mr. Shook currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Franklin County Children Services. Mr. Shook has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management and a Master of Business Administration in Finance.
Tara Shook is a Licensed Social Worker with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The Ohio State University with over 27 years of experience in the children services space. Over the past two decades with the state of Ohio, Tara has held key roles such as Licensing Specialist, ICPC Deputy Compact Administrator, Adoption Policy Developer, and Substitute Care Policy Section Chief. Since 2021, she has served on the DCY Children Services Training and Development team. Her earlier work at Franklin County Children Services included direct services work in both a medically fragile infant unit and the emancipation unit. During her time at FCCS Tara became an adoption assessor, where she trained Preservice Curriculum, completed foster care and adoption homestudies and supported resource families.
Wes Shrider is the Regional Fiscal Supervisor for BCFTA Region 2, which includes 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. Wes provides technical assistance on CFIS Main processing, state/federal fiscal policy, and grant management.
Amanda Stidham is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), underscoring her commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards. She is an active member of the National State Auditors Association’s Single Audit Expert Panel and co-chairs the Central Ohio Association of Government Accountants’ (AGA) Education Committee, where she fosters learning and development across the field. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance and a Master of Accountancy, both from Wright State University. Her academic and professional accomplishments reflect her dedication to advancing accountability, transparency, and innovation in public financial management.
Megan Sullivan is the CCMEP Program Administrator at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where she leads the strategic direction and daily operations of the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program. With more than ten years of experience at the county level, including roles as Workforce Administrator at the Ottawa County OhioMeansJobs Center and Wraparound Coordinator in Sandusky County, Megan has a proven track record of developing innovative solutions to support Ohio’s most vulnerable youth and families. She holds a Master of Science in Criminal Behavior from Tiffin University, a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University, and an Associate’s in Human Services. A proud Sandusky native, Megan combines her professional expertise with a genuine passion for helping young people recognize their potential and build meaningful futures through workforce and community support.
Colleen Tucker has been in social services for more than 24 years. She started her career working with women in an inpatient alcohol and drug treatment setting. This role provided Colleen’s first experience regarding trauma and its impact on development. This experience was the catalyst for her career working with and for children and families, especially those who have experienced trauma. Since that time, Colleen has worked as a children services caseworker and community support worker, as a Business Analyst helping stand up Ohio’s Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (OhioSACWIS), as Bureau Chief of Foster Care Licensing and Enforcement and as a Project Manager leading the development and implementation of multiple local and state child and family programs, including Ohio’s extended foster care program, Bridges. Since 2021, Colleen has been with Ohio Family and Children First (OFCF). In all of these roles, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with internal and external partners to improve outcomes for families and children throughout Ohio. Colleen has a Bachelor’s of Specialized Studies in Child and Adolescent Behaviors from Ohio University and she received a Master of Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University. Colleen grew up in Hamilton County but has called Delaware County her home since 2008.
Nick Wallace is the Labor Market Information Bureau Chief, began in his role in July 2023. He joined the state in 2006 as a labor market analyst, collecting and coding occupational and wage data for the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. A lifelong Buckeye, Nick earned his degree in economics from The Ohio State University in 2005 and completed his graduate work at Franklin University in 2013. Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife (Jenn), his kids (Addie, Trey, Nico, and Cami), and their private zoo (5 dogs and 2 cats).