Boota Debutts

Background

About Boota Debutts

I am in my 10th year as CFO at Episcopal High School (EHS) where you'd better be passionate about your job because 70-hr. work weeks are the norm, and as a 100% boarding school, it's really a 24/7 job! But I love it! Our goal is to help 450 bright, motivated teenagers become good people with a purpose in life. While my job exposes me to all facets of EHS life, from Admissions to Advancement to Student Life to Academics, my core responsibility is to oversee the financial operations. EHS has a $35M annual operating budget, a $205M endowment and $420M+ in total assets. I also oversee all facilities which encompass 750K sf of buildings on 135 acres. Other key areas of responsibility include HR, Technology, 24/7 Security, Food Service, the Post Office and the School Store, all of which comprise 40+ employees. I am also the point person for all construction projects ranging in size from $1-$30M. I am also involved in areas outside of my direct responsibility. It is important to me to interact with the students as well as my colleagues. Therefore, I serve as an Advisor to seven freshmen boys whom I interact with every day and see two nights a week in my home. I am also teaching a course on Entrepreneurship this spring. I am the Faculty Advisor for the Student Investment Group which meets monthly and has a $40K portfolio. I participate in a group of teachers and staff (SEED) that meets monthly to discuss and develop strategies for building inclusive curricula and classrooms at EHS. Also I meet weekly as a member of EHS's Administrative Group, the School's top six senior administrators. Outside of EHS I serve on the boards of a private day school and a day-care center. I am also the Program Chair for ABOPS, the Association of Business Officers of Preparatory Schools, which meets twice a year. The group has exposed me -through on-site visits- to 20+ boarding schools where I have had the chance to meet with senior administrators to discuss their most pressing concerns.