Teresa R. Ryland, CPA, CFE
President
Terri Ryland is the founder and president of Ryland Strategic Business Consulting. Since the mid-80s, Terri has worked with and held positions in numerous public school districts as Internal Auditor, Director of Budget, Director of Finance, and Associate Superintendent of Business/CBO. Prior to establishing the firm in 2004, she had been personally involved, while at the school districts as chief business officer, in working with outside third party consultants on the planning of numerous borrowings, including certificates of participation, Mello-Roos bonds, and general obligation bonds. Terri also has experience in long-range facilities master planning, developer fee studies, internal control reviews, training of staff and boards, and audits.
Terri received her bachelor's degree from Claremont McKenna College and earned her certified public accountant certificate while working for Ernst & Whinney. She is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the California Association of School Business Officials where she is an active contributor to project development, writing articles and making presentations at workshops. Terri recently retired from the Board of Directors of her local fire district after serving for over ten years.
Cathy Dominico
Financial Consultant
Cathy Dominico has over 25 years of experience related to public agency finance, including work with school and college districts, cities, counties, and special districts. Cathy has advised over 200 public agencies with financial and facility planning, comprehensive analytic reports, and communication strategies. Cathy is an expert in tax base demographic analysis, financial modeling, agency reorganization, and development mitigation strategies. She is known for managing complex financial projects while understanding both technical details and high-level political strategies. An important part of her consulting expertise relates to communicating complex financial matters to governing boards and community members to best ensure that public agency staff is well-supported in obtaining direction and decisions on projects.
Ms. Dominico holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California, Davis.
Rebekah Chase
Financial Consultant
Ms. Chase has almost two decades of experience related to school business, fiscal analysis and accounting. Prior to joining Ryland SBC part-time in 2014, she served as Director of Accounting and Interim Chief Business Official for a 17-site, 13,000-student school district in Northern California. In this role, Rebekah advised the school board and the Superintendent's cabinet on all finance-related issues and was responsible for long-term fiscal planning, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, employee benefit programs and other fiscal operations. During her tenure, Rebekah produced creative solutions to keep the district solvent under difficult budget conditions. Her school finance experience also includes managing internal audits, interim reporting, ADA projections, GASB 34 conversion entries, cash flow projections and charter oversight at various school districts. Ms. Chase began her career working as an auditor, conducting audits of non-profit organizations and governmental agencies, for a CPA firm in Sacramento.
Ms. Chase received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, from California State University, Sacramento. Since 2008, she has been a member of the California Association of School Business Officials.
Douglas Crancer, CPA
Financial Consultant
Mr. Crancer has over 25 years of experience related to school finance and business operations. Prior to joining Ryland SBC in 2013, Mr. Crancer held the position of chief business official at various northern California school districts. As chief business official, Mr. Crancer was responsible for providing reliable enrollment, financial and cash flow projections, increasing operating efficiency, and serving on the Superintendent's Cabinet, helping to ensure financial resources were maximized to improve student achievement. Prior to becoming a chief business official, Douglas served as a Director of Fiscal Services and as a Supervisor of Fiscal Services / Internal Auditor. As director and supervisor, Mr. Crancer was responsible for directly preparing & monitoring district budgets, working with State departments to ensure reports were filed accurately, and completing all GASB 34 conversion entries to ensure that the accrual financial statements were presented per proper accounting standards.
Mr. Crancer entered school finance as an auditor for Goodell, Porter, & Fredericks, where he was responsible for conducting and supervising audits of Local Educational Agencies and various non-profit entities. Douglas received his Certified Public Accounting license in 2001, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Douglas received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Criminal Justice from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
David Graves, CPA
Financial Consultant
David Graves has over 17 years of experience related to school finance and business operations. Prior to joining Ryland SBC in 2021, Mr. Graves held the position of chief business official at both a school district and a charter school in Southern California area. As chief business official, David has obtained knowledge and skills in areas such as cash flow management, budgeting, reporting, state and federal compliance requirements, grant financial and accounting support, a thorough understanding of the California School Accounting Manual, child nutrition program, transportation, facilities, risk management, and human resources.
Prior to becoming a chief business official, David worked as an auditor for Nigro and Nigro, PC in the non-profit and government sector, primarily school districts. David received his Certified Public Accounting license in 2007 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). David received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the California State University of San Bernardino. He is also a graduate of the FCMAT CBO Mentor Program and holds a Chief Business Official credential.
Nathan Herzog, Ph.D.
Financial Consultant
Dr. Nathan Herzog is a seasoned educator and administrator with nearly three decades of experience spanning K-12 and higher education. He has served in multiple roles, including classroom teacher across various grade levels, school administrator, induction coach, and district leadership in Curriculum and Instruction & Professional Development. His diverse experience in public, private, and charter school settings has equipped him with a deep understanding of instructional leadership, educator development, and school system operations.
Dr. Herzog has extensive expertise in key areas critical to school and agency success, including Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP), school facilities planning, strategic planning, program development, school district separation, and charter school oversight. He has worked closely with educational leaders and local agencies to navigate policy implementation, instructional improvement, and organizational change. His knowledge of school finance, governance, and compliance makes him a trusted advisor to districts, schools, and other public and private organizations facing complex operational and academic challenges.
Beyond education, Dr. Herzog brings a unique perspective from his years as a planning commissioner at both the county and city levels. His background in municipal development, land use, and infrastructure planning provides him with valuable insight into the complexities of building new schools, district expansion, and facility modernization. His ability to bridge the gap between education and urban planning allows him to offer strategic solutions that align school growth with community development.
Dr. Herzog has partnered with schools, school districts, and local agencies to provide expert guidance on strategic planning, leadership development, facility planning, and program implementation. Whether supporting educational institutions, municipalities, or community organizations, our mission is to help leaders navigate challenges, maximize resources, and create sustainable solutions for long-term success.
With a career dedicated to strengthening educational institutions and local agencies, Dr. Herzog is committed to guiding organizations through change, ensuring they are equipped to serve their communities effectively while planning for future growth.
Scott Leaman
Financial Consultant
Scott Leaman served Western Placer Unified for 28 years, the last 15 as superintendent. At the time of his retirement, Scott was the longest serving district superintendent in Placer County and in Western Placer Unified School District's history. He started his employment in the district in 1993 as principal at Carlin C. Coppin Elementary. Prior to working in Western Placer Unified, Scott served as a teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment, and assistant principal. He has presented at numerous conferences at the local, state, national levels.
Since his retirement, he has assisted a small school in the mountains with foundational programs and worked with charter school oversight. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone and the Peace Corps Virtual Program. He holds a Masters in Education from California State University, East Bay. In 2020, Scott M. Leaman Elementary was named in his honor.
Matthew Nethaway
Financial Consultant
Matthew Nethaway is a seasoned professional in the accounting and finance field, with over 25 years of experience specializing in governmental and nonprofit auditing, financial reporting, and the implementation of GASB standards. Matthew has worked extensively with school districts, public agencies, and joint powers authorities, providing trusted financial advisory and audit services.
Throughout his career, he has led numerous audits, ensuring transparency, regulatory compliance, and fiscal responsibility for public entities. His work has included key roles in presenting financial audits and contributing to the financial integrity of educational institutions across the state.
Known for his detailed approach, deep industry knowledge, and strong ethical foundation, Matthew continues to be a valuable resource to public sector clients navigating complex financial environments.
Shannon Norris, CPA
Financial Consultant
Shannon Norris has over twenty years experience in the finance and accounting sector. She has worked in accounting capacities for professional firms and obtained her CPA certification working for an audit firm that specializes in public agency and not-for-profit audits. She has ten years experience working specifically for school districts and charter organizations in the areas of budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting. She also holds a certificate in Governmental & Non-Profit Accounting and provides critical services to clients in the areas of State and Federal reporting as well as compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
Ms. Norris is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the California Association of School Business Officials. Ms. Norris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Finance from CSU San Bernardino.
Vina Reyes
Financial Consultant
Vina Reyes has over 26 years of experience working in public education. She began her career at the California School Boards Association where she worked for 12.5 years. She held several positions over the years with the last position being Director of District and Financial Services. As Director. she was responsible for fiscal oversight and management of two of CSBA's auxiliary corporations - CSBA Finance Corporation and CSBA District Services Corporation.
After CSBA, Ms. Reyes joined Natomas USD as Director of Budget and Accounting and later was promoted to Executive Director of Financial Services where she led the team for over 6 years. In her role, she was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing district financial functions of the Business Office.
Ms. Reyes joined Ryland SBC in 2020 and has become a critical and valuable member of the consulting team. She works with school district and county office of education budgets, accounting procedures, systems and processes.
Ms. Reyes received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from University of California, Davis, and her Master's Degree in Business Administration from University of Phoenix. She was also part of the 10th Cohort of the FCMAT CBO Mentor Program and earned the CBO Certification from the California Association of School Business Officials.
Lowell Shira, Ph.D.
Financial Consultant
Dr. Lowell Shira is a retired Chief Business Official (CBO) with over 30 years of experience as a CBO. Dr. Shira has been CBO for elementary, unified, and high school districts ranging in size from 2,000 to 30,000 students. As CBO, Dr.Shira was responsible for all aspects of school business, including finance, facilities, and other operations. In addition, Dr. Shira has had multiple successful school bond elections and related debt financing experiences. He has also been chief negotiator in collective bargaining with both certificated and classified bargaining groups. Prior to becoming a CBO, Dr. Shira served as Director of Special Education.
Dr. Shira earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. He earned the CBO Certification from the California Association of School Business Officials. Dr. Shira has also served on the boards of several Joint Powers Authorities.
Since 2015, Lowell has worked as a consultant for Ryland Strategic Business Consulting. Specific engagements have included interim CBO assignments and charter school facilities consulting, among numerous other assignments.
Ormides Trujillo
Financial Consultant
Ormides started working for school districts as a part-time clerk over 30 years ago at a junior high school, helping the EL Coordinators. She moved into an office manager role at her children's elementary school, and during this period she went back to school for her Bachelor's degree in Business. She stayed in the business of schools, moving from an accounting technician, to an analyst position, to a director of categorical programs. After successfully completing the USC CBO program, she trained her replacement and moved up as the Supervisor of Business Services and Audit. After spending some years as the Director in Natomas USD where she was in charge of purchasing, analysts, accounts payable, and payroll staff, she came to work for Ryland SBC in late 2016. Ormides has been a valuable member of the team, assisting with budgets, closing the books, providing interim services and acting as a resource for categorical programs.
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