Ohio Public Finance Team

Vice President

Michael Burns has six years of banking experience in which he developed a broad range of knowledge in corporate and municipal finance. He has worked extensively with municipalities, non-profits, charter schools and port authorities to provide both taxable and tax-exempt financing. He has also worked closely with business owners to provide value-added financial products and services to help their business succeed.

Managing Director
Baird Structured Finance Group

Michael DiPerna is co-manager of Baird Structured Finance Group and is responsible for the structuring of tax-exempt and taxable bond transactions. Prior to joining Baird in 2003, he was a Managing Director with McDonald Investments/KeyBank and a Senior Vice President with Miller & Schroeder Financial for 11 years. Prior to that, Michael was with the Ohio Department of Development, leaving as Assistant Deputy Director. He also served as President of the Ohio Statewide Development Corp. Michael earned a BS in Business from Ohio University and an MS in Urban Planning from Florida State University.

Managing Director

Tim Long is co-manager of our Baird Structured Finance Group and is responsible for the structuring of tax-exempt and taxable bond transactions. Prior to joining Baird in 2003, he was a Managing Director with McDonald Investments /KeyBank, where he managed an office in Columbus, focusing on economic development transactions and the development of proprietary economic development bond programs. Tim also spent two years managing the public finance group during the merger of McDonald and KeyBank. Prior to that, he worked for Miller & Schroeder Financial from 1978 to 1997, managing the company’s Columbus office from 1988 to 1997. Tim earned a BS in Business from the University of Minnesota.

Vice President

Brian Cooper is primarily responsible for providing quantitative and analytical analysis relating to various types of corporate and municipal financings for the Columbus Public Finance team. His experience includes structuring and modeling synthetic and financial leases, Tax Increment Finance (TIF) and Special Assessment modeling and other customized financial modeling. Brian also works to prepare, research, and distribute offering documents, prepares rating agency presentations and assists with the implementation of structured financing plans. Brian graduated cum laude from the Ohio State University with a BS in Business Administration in International Business, a minor in Economics, and a BA in Humanities in Spanish. He joined Baird in 2003.

Vice President

Jason List has over five years of industry experience and has served as an investment banker on multiple transactions, giving him extensive knowledge of various financing methodologies. His experience includes structuring issues, such as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, variable-rated demand notes, certificates of participation and qualified zone academy bonds. Jason earned a BS in Marketing, with a minor in Business Administration, from Northern Kentucky University.

Managing Director

David Conley is a Managing Director in our Ohio Municipal Finance Group. Prior to joining Baird in 2006, David was a partner with the firm of Seasongood & Mayer in Cincinnati, where he began his career in 1989. While there, he developed and managed in excess of $3 billion in bond issues, while acting almost exclusively as a sole senior manager throughout Ohio. David earned a BS in Marketing and Finance from Georgetown College.

Director

Jenni L. Logan has more than 14 years of combined experience in Ohio public finance. She has been involved in both the Expedited Local Partnership Program and Classroom Facilities Assistance Program facilities projects. Jenni earned a BS in Business Administration from Shawnee State University. She is an active member of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials and the Ohio School Boards Association, serving on the OASBO board of directors for more than four years and representing the association as President during 2005-2006.

Managing Director

John Payne joined Baird to lead our Ohio Municipal Finance Group with more than 20 years of experience in the Ohio public finance area. John has managed more than $4 billion in school note and bond issues. He began his career in public finance in 1983 as a budget analyst, then became assistant debt manager for the state of Ohio. John earned a BA in Business from Ohio Northern University and an MA in Public Administration from Ohio University. He is a member of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials, the National School Public Relations Association.

Vice President

David Tiggett serves as a financial advisor and underwriter providing long-term capital planning, customized financial modeling, refunding analysis, and facilitation of transactions. He has served as a Middle Market Commercial Banker, managing several million dollars in loans and deposits, and has 11 years or experience in Retail and Commercial Banking at Huntington National Bank in Columbus, Ohio. Tiggett, a native of Warren, Ohio, is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He joined Baird in 2006.

Vice President
School Business Solutions - SBS

Ernie Strawser joined Baird in April 2007 with more than 25 years experience in Ohio public finance. Ernie currently serves as treasurer for the Westfall Local School District in Williamsport, Ohio. Prior to the Westfall Local School District, Ernie worked for the Jackson City School District and served as an auditor for the Auditor of the State of Ohio. Ernie has been active in professional organizations including a term as president of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials. Ernie earned a BBA in Finance from the Ohio University and a Master's in Administration from Central Michigan University.

Vice President
School Business Solutions - SBS

Stacy Overly joined Baird in April 2007 with more than 15 years experience serving as a treasurer to Ohio school districts. Stacy also continues to serve as treasurer for the Teays Valley Local School District in Ashville, Ohio. Prior to his appointment at Teays Valley, he served as treasurer for the Chillicothe City School District from 1996 through June 2005 and Westfall Local School District from 1992 through 1996. Stacy earned a BBA in Finance from the Ohio University and a Master in Business Administration, also from Ohio University.