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aboutus

The Educational Resources Consultants of Ohio (ERCO) is a non-profit, educational organization that specializes in authorizing, monitoring, evaluating, and providing technical support for Ohio charter schools.

History of the Company

ERCO opened its doors for business in February 2005, offering services to Ohio charter/community schools, which must by state law be authorized or "sponsored" by an entity like ERCO, which provides oversight in accordance with State of Ohio standards.

 

When founded, ERCO was one of many community school sponsors authorized by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to offer operating contracts to the 270 Ohio community schools in existence then. ERCO held, in its early years, operating contracts for fifteen (15) schools. Today, ERCO holds operating contracts for more than twenty schools which serve thousands of students.

Mission Statement

To provide a strong foundation of resources, oversight, guidance and leadership both to and in partnership with educational leaders of community schools serving children and society.

Vision Statement

To promote high quality charter schools in Ohio through strong academic performance and financial viability.

Core Values

  • Integrity: We will do what we say and expect the same in return.

  • Quality: We will continually strive for excellence individually and collaboratively.

  • Respect: We will exhibit professionalism with each other and our stakeholders.

  • Competence: We believe knowledge is power.

  • Accountability: We hold ourselves to these core values.

Meet Our Staff

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J. Leonard Harding

President

jharding@ercoinc.org
(513) 771-4006

J. Leonard Harding, Executive Director of the Educational Resource Consultants of Ohio, Inc. brings 30 years of experience in education to ERCO. He holds a B.S. in Education from Miami University of Oxford OH, a Masters in Educational Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and received his superintendents license while enrolled as a doctoral candidate at the University of Cincinnati in the Urban Educational Leadership Program. 

 

Combining his background in education and business, Mr. Harding brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to lead and direct the community leaders of which his organization sponsors. Mr. Harding's past relative experience has been as the Director of Education for Hamilton County Juvenile Court of Common Pleas, administration at Northwest Local School District and teacher with the Princeton City School District.

 

Mr. Harding was an adjunct professor at Xavier University and the student teacher supervisor for the college of education at the Cincinnati branch of Mt Vernon University. He has received special recognition awards for "Excellence in Programming" from Xavier University and "Ohio Principals Mentoring Program" from the State of Ohio. Mr. Harding is the co-founder of Christ Tabernacle Ministries of Excellence, Inc. which is the parent group of the Educational Resource Consultants of Ohio, Inc.

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Aaron Kinebrew

Vice President of Compliance and Legal

akinebrew@ercoinc.org
(513) 771-4006

Mr. Aaron Kinebrew has over 10 years of sponsoring experience and serves as Director of Compliance of ERCO and has 20+ years’ experience in the educational field has mentored thousands of youth and is known as a dynamic inspirational speaker and workshop facilitator. He has held the positions of caseworker, teacher, counselor, Dean of Discipline and Assistant to the Principal; each progression preparing him for his present role at ERCO.

 

Mr. Kinebrew’s exposure to troubled students includes: facilitator of conflict mediation groups, development of programs to enhance physical skills, and behavior monitoring.

 

Mr. Kinebrew holds a B.A. with concentration in Individual and Family Studies from Kent State University, has completed graduate level classes in mathematics at Xavier University.  

 

Mr. Kinebrew received his certificate of completion in Leadership/Non-Profit Management through Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management-Executive Education Program. He is also a participant of the Charter School Institute through Harvard Graduate School of Education. Mr. Kinebrew respects, defends and advocates for school choice.

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David A. Harding

Vice President of Governance and Education Management Organization's (EMO)

David Harding is a young business professional that joined the ERCO team in 2016. He currently serves as the Director of Operation and System Analyst. David has 2 plus years of sponsoring responsibilities including: school compliance, operations, school facilities, school governance, school accountability and evaluating school performance. David graduated from the University of Cincinnati as a Darwin T. Turner Scholar, with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. His past experience includes project management, informational systems, and client relations.

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James Wilson Jr.

Vice President of Sponsor Operations

jwilson@ercoinc.org
(513) 771-4006

James Wilson has over 10 years of sponsoring experience and serves as Director of Quality and Finance of ERCO. He has worked in various capacities within the organization including the areas of school finance, school facilities, school governance, and school accountability. He brings a wealth of financial and business experience and is responsible for financial monitoring, evaluating and offering technical assistance to ERCO schools and school treasurers.

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James has obtained his Bachelor's degree from The Union Institute and University in Organizational Leadership. 

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Brian Anderson

Vice President of School Oversight

banderson@ercoinc.org 
(513) 771-4006

Brian Anderson joined the ERCO team in 2019. He attended the University of Cincinnati pursuing a degree in Mathematics and decided to use that knowledge to pursue a career in the Education field. Previous work experience in the engineering field, commitment to the goal of attaining quality education for kids and a strong desire to learn are a driving force in Brian’s ability to help ERCO grow. Utilizing his mathematics background, he assists in collecting school data and compliance documents to support ERCO in a uniquely analytical approach.

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Dr. Terry B. Joyner

Academic Performance & Accountability Specialist

Dr. Joyner brings over 40 years of experience in curriculum and instruction, beginning her career as a teacher of students with disabilities and Reading Specialist in the public school system. She has held the positions: Supervisor of Curriculum and Learning, Director of Curriculum, and Assistant Superintendent/ Chief Academic Officer. In the position Chief Academic Officer,

 

Dr. Joyner was responsible for directing Curriculum and Instruction; Early Childhood Education; Research, Evaluation and Assessment; Services to Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners; Federal Programs and Professional Development.

 

Dr. Joyner has also collaborated with institutions of higher education, state and local agencies and private foundations to improve educational services for all students and families in the Cincinnati area.

 

Dr. Terry. B. Joyner is also the President and CEO of Systems Solutions LLC, an educational consulting company that  provides curriculum alignment, instructional management, program evaluation, coaching, data analysis and monitoring services to schools for improving student achievement. She provides professional development, technical assistance and administrative services to local school boards, community schools, sponsors and social service agencies. She received her degrees in Education from the University of Delaware (BSED 1977), University Of Maryland, College Park (M.ED, 1978), and Wilmington University, Delaware (Ed.D 1996).

 

Dr. Joyner believes, “Schools control the conditions that lead to student success.” Quality teaching and instructions is the key to success.

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Porsche Chisley

Academic Accountability Coach

Porsche Chisley is a well-respected advocate for high-quality education, Porsche began her career teaching as a St. Louis Teach for America corps member. Porsche found both joy and success in teaching and by her second year in the classroom, was nominated for the Sue Lehman Teacher of the Year Award. By her fourth year in the classroom, she had the highest proficiency rates for English Language Arts across the charter network where she taught, lead as the Grade Level Chair and served on her Building Leadership Team.

 

Porsche now supports schools and organizations across the country with operationalizing their mission, visions, and values through strategic thinking, planning, and implementation. Porsche is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Education Organizational Leadership from Marian University. She is a Cambiar Catalyst fellow, recently led the implementation of a $2.6 million dollar state-wide learning lab for teachers and parents in Indiana, sits on the Board of Directors for the Center of Innovative Education Solutions, and specializes in charter school supports. Porsche offers executive coaching, strategy development, training and workshops to educators and business leaders.

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Sean Fraunfelter

Financial Specialist/ Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Fraunfelter Accounting Services formed in 2000 and since completed over 200 GAAP conversions, including over 55 CAFRs, filing over 100 non-for-profit tax reporting form package (990s), and financially forecasting/analysis for multiple local governments throughout the state of Ohio.

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Sean Fraunfelter is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license since 1999. Mr. Fraunfelter's CPA license serves ERCO as an equivalent Treasurer in his role. Mr. Fraunfelter has served as the ERCO Financial Specialist for 8 years, overviewing, evaluating school monthly financial reports and completing the analysis review for each school. The analysis was developed to meet the needs of the sponsor with a six step process that includes a monthly comparative review and a two year historical trend analysis. 

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Mr. Fraunfelter also serves ERCO on its Advisory Board.

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Michael Kelly

Central Regional Representative

Michael Kelly has over 40 years in education in a variety of settings including, parochial, public and charter settings.  He received his B. A. from Wabash College in 1977 and a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati in 1987. 

 

His mission is to focus on improving the educational opportunities for students and improving student achievement.  In order to do this, he works with the adults in the schools to create situations where a focus on adult actions results in the improved achievement for students.   I have leadership experience at multiple levels including high school, middle school, central office, and most recently at the elementary level.

 

His recent experiences over the past 15 years, have been focused on school improvement.  He has been trained as an Ohio Improvement Process Facilitator.  This has prepared him to work with BLTs in going through the Decision Framework and then developing a focused plan.  He has assisted building leadership teams through the process of collecting and using data to define a small number of focused goals designed to improve student achievement through changing the adult behaviors of teachers.  Building these collaborative structures of TBTs to really focus on what works for students is the key to successful school improvement.  

 

These opportunities have allowed me to experience the whole process in various districts and buildings, all with diverse challenges and demands.  As public education continues to maneuver through this time of extraordinary change, he has the energy and enthusiasm and drive to be a force for positive change.

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Daniel Calloway

Northern Regional Representative

dcalloway@ercoinc.org

(513) 771-4006

Daniel Calloway is a business professional that joined the ERCO team in 2017. He currently serves as the Northeast Ohio Regional Rep. Daniel has 10 plus years of working and serving on board of directors for charter schools and public advocacy organizations in Ohio. While working with charter schools he has worked on school compliance, finance, operations, school facilities, school governance, school accountability and evaluating school performance. Daniel graduated from Kent State University, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and John Carroll University with a Masters in Nonprofit Organizational Management.

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Fernanda Rivera Trillo

Southern Regional Rep

frivera@ercoinc.org

(513) 410-4027

Fernanda has Managerial experience in the life insurance and medical supply industries and currently holds life and health licenses. She is also a portrait photographer in the greater Cincinnati area. Fernanda graduated from Fairfield High School and then attended The Art Institute of Pittsburgh for 2 years where she studied photography. 

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Sonya Lunsford

Executive Administrator

slunsford@ercoinc.org

(513) 771-4006

The logistical organization of ERCO is upon the shoulders of our excellent Administrative Assistant/Office Manager, Sonya Lunsford. Sonya has over twenty-five years’ experience in the clerical field and eighteen years as an Executive Administrative Assistant. She attended Indiana State University in the school of Business Administration and later the University of Cincinnati—Raymond Walters College with a concentration on Office Administration/ Medical. She successfully incorporates her work experience and educational background with excellent organizational and leadership skills as ERCO's Executive Administrative Assistant.

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Karen Parker

Human Resources/Secretary/Receptionist

kparker@ercoinc.org
(513) 771-4006

Another part of the logistical organization of ERCO is also up the shoulders of Karen Parker our outgoing Receptionist. Karen covers several positions such as secretary and is responsible for accounts payable. Forty-five years experiences gives her the finesse to interchange each position seamlessly and effectively. Prior to her position at ERCO, she held numerous positions of “back office” support that helped in the efficient running of the office. She developed and implemented processes that resulted in time and cost saving procedures. Karen is the pleasant smile as you enter the doors of ERCO. Her warmth and easy communicative skills makes you feel “at home” which is important in overall communications within the office environment.

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Abbriel Jones

Administrative Assistant

ajones@ercoinc.org

(513) 488-0261

Abbriel Jones ‘20 graduated from Hamilton High School as an AP and National Honor Society Scholar. Abbi is in her 3rd year at Northern Kentucky University where she is studying Organizational Leadership with a minor in Black Studies. 

 

Abbi is currently the Head Coach for the MGC Dance Team (Youth), a dance team that focuses on building confidence, dance technique and friendship within young girls. Abbi’s growth in the leadership field, commitment to minorities within the community and her goal to grow her administrative skills play a huge role in Abbi’s ability towards the enhancement of ERCO.  

 

After graduation, Abbi plans to continue working with ERCO while developing her own non-profit that gives a voice to minorities. 

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