Kimmel named business chief at LVUSD
Longtime employee finally gets her number called
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Karen Kimmel

When Donald Zimring replaced Sandra Smyser as superintendent of Las Virgenes schools, a void opened up in the district's business services division. After all, finding a replacement for Zimring, a member of the cabinet as deputy superintendent and for years the district's finance chief, posed a challenge.

But the district did not need to look far to find an employee who had the experience and capability to fill Zimring's shoes in the financial arena. The new position of chief business official was created with one employee in mind- Karen Kimmel.

"As part of my transition plans I have looked carefully at the duties and functions for our business services positions," Zimring said.

"As Dan (Stepenosky, assistant superintendent of personnel) and I looked for a replacement assistant superintendent of business, it became evident that while there were many people who had abundant talents in key areas of the job, no one possessed the full skill set necessary to jump right in."

Kimmel fit the bill. As director of finance for the past nine years, she worked closely with Zimring on budgets, audits and myriad accounting functions and financial decisions.

In her new post, Kimmel will oversee four departments and 111 employees in purchasing, payroll, accounting, child nutrition, and maintenance and operations. The departments, overseen by directors, will report directly to Kimmel. Kathy Petrash is Kimmel's executive assistant.

Increasing interdepartmental teamwork tops Kimmel's list of goals. "We have a lot of great departments working individually, and I would like to see more teamwork between them," Kimmel said.

Kimmel launched her career as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche where she earned her certified public accounting license. Prior to joining the school district Kimmel worked in private industry as a controller and vice president of finance.

However, she notes that working for the school district has its perks. "I enjoy being around the passion people have for the students they serve and the whole educational process," Kimmel said.

A Westlake Village resident, Kimmel's daughter attends eighth grade at Lindero Canyon Middle School.

"Ms. Kimmel was the obvious choice," Zimring said. "Her skills, knowledge of the district's operations and most of all dedication to doing what's best for the students in this community make her an ideal candidate for this critical role in our organization."