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    James M. Rowan, CAE, SFO

    CEO
    ASBO International
    Reston, Virginia

    James Rowan, CAE, SFO, is the CEO and Executive Director of the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). He has served as a steadfast advocate for the school business profession and a member of the association for the past 31 years.

    Rowan’s passion for public service traces back to 1987 when, following his service in the U.S. Navy, he joined the Auditor of State’s Office (AOS) auditing public entities. During his five-year tenure at AOS, he acquired invaluable experience that helped him begin a wonderful career in school business. During his 20-year career as a school business official, Rowan served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for four public school districts in Ohio.

    After retiring from public schools in 2011, Rowan served as CEO/Administrator for one of the largest townships in Southwest Ohio, where he provided essential managerial oversight and spearheaded day-to-day operations for nearly five years. In October 2016, he joined the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) as their CEO/Executive Director, allowing him to continue his passion for school business.

    Rowan earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Wilmington College, and served as Past President of OASBO in 2003 and ASBO International in 2007. He has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Navy Achievement Medal (1985), the Navy Good Conduct Medal (1986), the OASBO Rich Unger Professional Award (1998), the ASBO International Eagle Award (2000), and the ASPA Achievement in Innovation (2014). Additionally, Rowan earned ASBO International’s School Finance and Operations (SFO) certification in 2017 and ASAE’s Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2021.

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