Charles Warren, CPA, SFO and chief financial officer of Fort Smith Public Schools, has been awarded the ASBO International 2022 Pinnacle of Excellence Award for an off-site kitchen project that ensured all 3,000 high school students received breakfast and lunch for the 2020–2021 school year despite renovations that left the two high schools without kitchens. 

The ASBO International’s 2022 Pinnacle Awards recognizes innovative school business professionals for their resourcefulness and creativity in solving the challenges that school districts face today.

The awards, sponsored by Virco, Inc., showcase replicable projects and practices that allow district business leaders to share and implement new ideas to effectively support their schools and communities.

"I am excited to accept this award for innovation and problem solving on behalf of Fort Smith Public Schools. The project demonstrated essential work of the Child Nutrition department and staff.  Their ability to serve meals during an unusual school year is truly a pinnacle of excellence," said Charles.

“On behalf of ASBO International, I am pleased to congratulate the 2022 Pinnacle Award winners,” ASBO International Executive Director David J. Lewis says. “The innovation and creativity school business professionals have demonstrated over the past year in the face of sometimes unimaginable challenges is a testament to their commitment to their students, their districts, and their communities. We are proud of the accomplishments of our Pinnacle Award recipients and look forward each year to highlighting and sharing their noteworthy projects and programs.”

Brian True, vice president of sales for Virco, says, “Virco has been a proud sponsor of the Pinnacle Awards for almost 30 years, and we continue to be inspired each year by the recipients’ ingenuity and resourcefulness. We are honored to work alongside ASBO International to recognize these innovative school business professionals and extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s honorees.”

All Pinnacle honorees will be recognized with crystal Pinnacle Awards. In addition, Pinnacle of Excellence Award recipient Charles Warren’s district will receive $5,000 in furniture from Virco, Inc.

For more information about ASBO International’s Pinnacle Awards, visit asbointl.org/Pinnacle.