Finance & Operations

Professional Headshot of Director of School Finance Brian Beaudrie

Brian Beaudrie

Department: Finance & Operations
Position: Director of School Finance
Brian Beaudrie is the Director of School Finance at Choice Schools Associates. He has been a member of the Choice family since 2014. Prior to joining Choice Schools, Brian worked with charter schools as an auditor and finance director. Brian graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in accounting. He became a CPA in 2003.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, volunteering in his community, playing golf and watching sports, especially football.

Professional Headshot of Network Administrator Michael Gorham

Michael Gorham

Department: Finance & Operations
Position: Network Administrator
Michael joined our Central Office team in 2021 as the IT Helpdesk Technician. He has nearly 18 years of experience in an educational setting, his most recent role being the Network Specialist at ​​Saint Johns Public Schools where he managed the technology support for everyone in the district. Michael has a strong talent of tailoring his way of communication with users which not only helps them with their respective issues, but develops a rapport with staff that will easily streamline technology support and communication.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, consisting of his wife and five sons, as well as pursuing his passion for music. He sings and plays the guitar and loves the joy creating music brings to other people.

Ross Hinkle

Department: Executive Leadership, Finance & Operations
Position: Chief School Finance and Operations Officer
Ross Hinkle is our Chief School Finance and Operations Officer. Ross oversees school finance, operations, safety and facilities. Ross recently served a local school district as Executive Director of Finance and Operations, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting Information Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from Davenport University.
He played hockey at Davenport and loves to camp, travel and experience new things with his wife and two kids. He is excited to join the Choice Schools family and has a personal mission to make a difference in our communities.
Professional Headshot of Director of Operations Mitch Jager

Mitch Jager

Department: Finance & Operations
Position: Director of School Operations
Mitch is our Director of School Operations. He partners with each school to support their operational needs, including but not limited to, health and safety, school nutrition, maintenance, capital and building projects, risk management, transportation, and so much more! Mitch comes to us from SpringHill Camps, where he served as the Director of Registration, Guest, and Health Services. Mitch earned his master’s of social work from Grand Valley State University and earned his bachelor’s of social work from Calvin College.

Mitch loves to spend time on the courts playing pickleball and tennis, and spending as much time as possible with his nephews.

Dani Phenix

Department: Finance & Operations
Position: Staff Accountant
Dani Phenix is our newest Staff Accountant, and is responsible for school finance, budgeting and reconciliation. She was formerly a floral designer before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at The University of New Orleans. She worked at a local school district prior to joining our Choice Schools team, and loves to spend her time outside of work with her three children and her husband.
She still enjoys arranging flowers and crotchet crafts for her friends and families.
Professional Headshot of Assistant Director of Finance Jennifer Shiels

Jennifer Shiels

Department: Finance & Operations
Position: Assistant Director of Finance
Jennifer Shiels joined the finance team at Choice Schools Associates in June 2019. In this role she supports the budget process, assists with grant management, compliance handles the financial reporting function and facilitates external audits for the charter schools.
Jennifer graduated from Central Michigan University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and minors in finance and legal studies. From there she pursued a career as a public accounting professional with Deloitte, obtaining her Certified Public Accountant license in 2010 and gaining experience performing single audits on charter schools across the Midwest. Since leaving public accounting in 2012 Jennifer has ventured into several industries bringing budgeting and financial reporting experience from wealth management, not-for-profits, hospitality and wholesale food distribution companies.

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids camping, hiking and biking. She also values maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeks to incorporate healthy eating along with being active. Jennifer resides with her family in West Michigan.