Wallace E. Zastrow

Wallace E. “Wally” Zastrow was a charter member of the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials and served as WASBO’s first Executive Director. Through his vision, leadership, and commitment to the school business profession, he helped establish a strong foundation for the new association and positioned WASBO as a respected educational organization throughout Wisconsin and within ASBO International.

Zastrow set an enduring standard for professionalism, service, and visionary leadership. His work helped create an association through which school business officials could learn from one another, strengthen their skills, and collectively advance the profession. The values he demonstrated during WASBO’s formative years continue to guide the Association’s work and inspire the professionals who serve Wisconsin schools today.

WASBO honors his legacy through the Wallace E. Zastrow Lifetime Achievement Award, the Association’s highest legacy honor. The award recognizes WASBO members whose career accomplishments, outstanding contributions, and years of service demonstrate the visionary leadership, dedication, and integrity that defined Zastrow’s career. His name also lives on through the Wallace E. Zastrow Award Scholarship, which supports future generations of school business professionals.

Donald A. Hafeman

Dr. Donald A. Hafeman served as WASBO’s Executive Director from 1987 to 1995, bringing to the Association decades of experience as a teacher, coach, counselor, principal, district administrator, assistant superintendent, superintendent, mentor, and educational consultant. His broad understanding of public education allowed him to connect the work of school business officials with the larger mission of creating opportunities for students and supporting the professionals who serve them.

Throughout his career, Hafeman viewed education as a pathway to a stronger future. As WASBO’s second Executive Director, he helped guide the Association during an important period in its development and strengthened its role as a professional home for Wisconsin’s school business leaders. His leadership was rooted in mentorship, service, and a belief that knowledgeable and supported educational leaders could make a lasting difference for schools and communities.

Hafeman’s influence extended well beyond WASBO. Following his retirement, he continued serving Wisconsin school districts as an interim superintendent and consultant and helped establish the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools, which provides additional resources for students and educators. His accomplishments were recognized with several professional honors, including the prestigious ASBO International Eagle Award. His career exemplified the lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and service that remains central to the school business profession.

Elizabeth Kane

Elizabeth “Liz” Kane made lasting contributions to WASBO as a school business manager, Department of Public Instruction professional, facilities certification leader, mentor, and active member of the Association. During her years in school business management, she developed strong relationships with colleagues across Wisconsin, took leadership roles in several professional projects, and became a trusted source of knowledge, encouragement, and support.

While working at DPI, Kane played an instrumental role in expanding professional development for Wisconsin school facility leaders. She joined Jim Beckmann, Pat Finnemore, and Dale Zabel on an early trip to Texas to study a successful facilities conference and certification model that could be brought back to Wisconsin. She subsequently helped shape WASBO’s facilities conference and Facility Manager Certification program, promoted the program throughout the Midwest, and served as the critical liaison between WASBO and DPI. Her efforts led to DPI formally recognizing the certification and helped establish it as a respected professional credential for Wisconsin school facility leaders.

Kane earned her own Facility Manager Core Certification as a member of the program’s first graduating class in 2009. In recognition of her leadership and her commitment to creating opportunities for others, WASBO established WASBO's annual Elizabeth Kane Scholarship for Women School Facility Leaders. The scholarship supports a woman working toward her Facility Manager Core Certification and continues Kane’s work of strengthening the profession, expanding representation, and helping future facility leaders succeed.

Beyond her formal accomplishments, Kane was a dedicated WASBO advocate who believed deeply in the value of professional development, friendship, and member involvement. Her legacy reflects both the impact one individual can make and the essential contributions women and facility professionals have made throughout WASBO’s history.

Donald Mrdjenovich

Donald “Don” Mrdjenovich became WASBO’s Executive Director in 1995 following a distinguished career in public education that included service as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and district administrator. When he accepted the position, the WASBO Board gave him a clear directive: grow the Association. Mrdjenovich interpreted that responsibility broadly, working not only to expand membership but also to increase WASBO’s influence, reputation, recognition, services, and accomplishments.

During his 11 years as Executive Director, Mrdjenovich helped transform WASBO into a larger, stronger, and more professionally supported organization. Working with Tina Hafeman, he established a dedicated WASBO office and staff structure that allowed volunteers to spend less time managing administrative details and more time developing programs, sharing expertise, and building the Association. His leadership helped create the organizational capacity needed to support WASBO’s continued growth.

Mrdjenovich also championed professional connections among members. He promoted WASBO’s regional organizations as valuable places for school business professionals to exchange information, discuss common challenges, learn from resource experts, and support one another. He fostered a culture in which member participation, collaboration, and creative thinking drove the Association forward.

By the time of his retirement in 2006, WASBO was positioned to offer a new level of service and professional development to its members. Mrdjenovich’s impact can be seen in the Association’s expanded reach, stronger infrastructure, growing professional reputation, and enduring emphasis on member-driven innovation. His leadership helped move WASBO from a developing professional organization into the influential statewide association it is today.