“We wouldn’t have secured two of our school facilities if Building Hope hadn’t been our supportive ally. The quality of their services and the extra oversight they provide help us maximize our resources.”

Susan Schaeffler, Founding Principal and Executive Director, KIPP DC

Staff

S. Joseph Bruno, President
Mr. Bruno oversees and directs all aspects of Building Hope’s operations. He is a certified public accountant with 35 years of accounting, finance, business and management experience, was a partner in two of the “Big 4” international accounting firms and CFO of a public company. Mr. Bruno qualifies as a financial expert under the Sarbanes-Oxley guidelines. He serves on the board of a public company in addition to his non-profit board positions at Georgetown University Hospital, Center City Public Charter Schools, D.C. Prep Public Charter School and is on the Advisory Board of KIPP: DC. In addition, he chairs the audit committee of the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools.

Paul R. Leleck, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Leleck manages Building Hope’s finances, and underwrites financial assistance to public charter schools. He also works with client schools on their accounting and budgeting through Building Hope Services. Paul is a certified public accountant with 35 years of accounting, finance, business and management experience. He has assisted development stage companies and served as a partner in a Big 4 accounting firm.

Richard Moreno, Executive Director
As Executive Director of Charter School Services Corporation, A Building Hope Affiliate (CSSC), Mr. Moreno is responsible for its day to day operations providing comprehensive support services to charter schools in Florida. Prior to joining CSSC he served as Chief Financial Officer of Pacific National Bank and has over 19 years CFO experience with various business enterprises in diverse industries. His charter school experience includes working as the Chief Financial Officer for Charter Schools USA and as resource specialist for NCB Capital Impact. As a resource specialist he provided technical assistance with facilities development and financing to Florida and Georgia charter schools assisting over 90 schools representing over $110 million in projects. Richard served as Chairman of the Florida School of Excellence Commission. He holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University and BS in finance with honors from the University of Florida.

Thomas E. Porter, Director of Real Estate Operations
Mr. Porter manages real estate transactions for public charter schools in the District of Columbia and directs the Incubator initiative for start-up charter schools. Tom’s background includes leadership in the nonprofit and medical research sectors including expertise in budgeting, human resources, operations and finance.

Christian P. Cronin, Real Estate Associate
Mr. Cronin manages real estate transactions, including underwriting and project management, for public charter schools. His background includes time spent in both the finance and real estate industries. Christian has worked for Franklin Templeton Investments in New York City and most recently worked in real estate development in Washington D.C. He has an MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School with a concentration in Corporate Finance and Real Estate.

Laurel L. Ihator, Executive Assistant
Ms. Ihator provides support to the President and Executive Team. She brings a wealth of experience in building administrative structures for developing companies as well as improving existing policies and procedures for established companies. Her experience ranges from managing administrative functions of a public accounting firm to managing program coordination of a department in a federal government agency.