Our Team

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.

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.

Robert Joined Choice School Associates in June 2022 as Finance Manager where he provides financial support to our schools. Robert came to Choice School Associates with a dozen years of non-profit finance experience and is very excited to expand his skills and knowledge in school finance. Robert graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management. In his spare time Robert enjoys hiking, camping, traveling and spending time with his family.

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 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.

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.

I have a bachelor’s degree in communications from San Francisco State University. I previously served as an Executive Assistant and Special Projects Manager at a public school district in California. I also hold a California multiple subject (K-8) teaching credential. I renewed it during the pandemic to help with the teacher shortages when needed. Education for all is important to me. I love connecting with students and find that I serve their success best from the central office. Outside of school I enjoy traveling the world, hiking, kayaking, yoga and axe throwing. I’ve just moved to Michigan in March and I’m especially excited to explore the Great Lakes area and experience the four seasons!

Kristen joined Choice Schools Associates in May of 2017 as an accounting intern. She was then promoted to Associate Accountant in January of 2018, again being promoted to Finance Account Manager in January of 2021 where she now provides financial support to our schools as well as for Choice. Kristen received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Grand Valley State University and is excited to continue her journey with Choice and to learn and grow in the education industry. In her free time, Kristen enjoys camping in the summer and spending time with her friends, family, and two cats. Originally from the east side of the state, Kristen enjoys exploring all that West Michigan has to offer.