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.

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.

Vice President
School Business Solutions - SBS

Ernie Strawser joined Baird in April 2007 with more than 25 years experience in Ohio public finance, including serving as auditor for the State of Ohio and a treasurer for multiple school districts. 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.