Pam comes to us from the traditional public school setting where she spent the last 24 years helping numerous schools in their finance departments. Pam just retired from the traditional public system as the Director of Finance from Lakewood Public Schools and will be bringing a great knowledge and skillset to our finance team!
Jake Allen is our Director of Payroll and Benefits. Jake oversees the management of payroll processes and benefits administration, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. He also works closely with the finance department to implement the accounting software, and assists our new and current Choice employees with payroll needs. Jake also assists finance and payroll with special projects and is committed to perfecting audits for Choice Schools and its academies. Jake graduated from Central Michigan University, receiving his B.S. in Business Administration and Economic Theory. Jake is also a proud Marine, having served in the military from 2001 to 2005. Jake will advocate for employees’ needs, provide world-class benefits, and build a foundation for accurate payroll processes while rooted in our values.
Ross Hinkle serves as our Chief Finance and Operations Officer, providing strategic leadership and oversight across various critical areas. In his role, Ross is responsible for managing school finance, overseeing operations, ensuring safety protocols, and maintaining facilities to support our organization’s mission and objectives. With his expertise and dedication, Ross plays a pivotal role in driving efficiency, accountability, and excellence in finance and operational functions. Prior to joining Choice, Ross 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 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.
Stacey Maycroft is our Payroll & Benefits Coordinator. She works to ensure timely and accurate pay for all Choice employees. She effectively administers the company’s leased employee payroll and benefits programs within company and academy board policy parameters while ensuring all local, State, & Federal legal requirements are met. Stacey earned her bachelor’s degree in corporate & industrial accounting from Baker College of Muskegon. Before joining Choice, she was a payroll assistant at TrueNorth where she became the “go-to” person for all topics. She assisted with employee benefits and participated in the onboarding process for new staff.
Michael Nagy is our Director of Finance, he will supports the environmental model academies. As director of finance, Michael will meet with board members, principals, and superintendents on a monthly basis to delve into financial matters, budgets, and any divergences between projections and actuals. He carries the crucial responsibility of overseeing all financial reporting to the state, showcasing his adeptness in navigating regulatory requirements. Michael also possesses a wealth of experience in writing federal and state grant applications, ensuring compliance with stipulated guidelines and adeptly managing funding allocations. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and has extensive experience spanning various sectors, notably in Charter/K-12 education. He previously served as the adept manager of finance and budgets for 10 schools across multiple states, including Michigan, New York, and Louisiana.
Tiffany Wilhelm is our Director of Operations. In her role, Tiffany is responsible for facilities management, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for all stakeholders. She also spearheads safety initiatives, operational efficiency, transportation logistics, and meal services. With her strong leadership and attention to detail, Tiffany plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and the overall well-being of our community. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from San Francisco State University. She previously served as an Executive Assistant and Special Projects Manager at a public school district in California. She also holds a California multiple subject (K-8) teaching credential, which she renewed during the pandemic to help with teacher shortages when needed. Education for all is important to her, and she loves connecting with students and finds that she serves their success best from the central office.
