Senior Team Members

President – Dr. Linda Recio

A successful educational consultant for over two decades, Dr. Linda Recio has held leadership positions in the educational arena for more than 30 years. School systems and state departments of education from across the United States seek out Linda’s expertise and ability to deliver real-world solutions.

In addition to serving as president of Evergreen Solutions, Linda leads our Education Consulting Practice, as she did for 15 years at another national consulting firm. Linda’s extensive experience in comprehensive school district management and performance reviews, No Child Left Behind compliance, school improvement planning, and strategic planning has led several public education clients to hire Evergreen Solutions for improvement projects.

She is familiar with school districts in numerous states, having directed more than 150 management and performance studies in California, Florida, Washington, Pennsylvania, Massachuetts, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. While at the Florida Department of Education, she was instrumental in developing the comprehensive audit criteria and data collection instruments utilized to conduct operational and managerial reviews in Florida's 67 school districts.

Linda also served as an assistant superintendent for a medium-size school district, where she was responsible for the district's strategic plan, school board policies and administrative procedures, staff plan, interagency and legislative planning, grants administration, and program evaluation.

Linda holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in science education, both from Florida State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology and education from the State University of New York at Albany.

Click here to email Dr. Recio

Executive Vice President – Dr. Jeffrey Ling

Dr. Jeff Ling has worked in the consulting field for more than 12 years, developing highly successful consulting practices targeted at both state and local government markets.

Jeff, who has worked with more than 200 public clients from around the world, focuses on human resources and personnel solutions, information technology consulting, strategic planning, operational efficiency and effectiveness, and business process re-engineering.

In addition to his consulting experience, Jeff has taught at the College of Wooster, Florida State University, and Iowa State University. His areas of specialization include public management and operations, econometrics, and government service provision. He has also served in various management capacities with technology-focused organizations.

Jeff received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida State University in political science and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa.

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Vice President – Sal Nuzzo

With 10 years of experience in the public arena, Sal Nuzzo has a wide range of consulting and project experience with clients nationwide. He has managed and participated in numerous consulting engagements, including city and county government management reviews, human resources studies and K-12 studies, as well as equal opportunity analyses for state, local, and transportation organizations throughout the country.

A graduate of Florida State University, Sal earned his degree in economics and served with the Florida Legislature for two years in the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), where he assisted with program evaluations of numerous state government programs.

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Senior Manager – Amy Campbell

Amy Campbell focuses on human resources functions in all aspects of state and local government. She has more than eight years of public sector research, analysis, and consulting experience, as both a public sector employee and as a consultant.

In addition to her experience in human resources management, Amy has broad knowledge in communications and marketing, quantitative research and evaluation, demographic and market research, database design and analysis, survey design and implementation, and statistical analysis.

Amy is a cum laude graduate of Florida State University with degrees in philosophy and creative writing. She also served in research and editing roles for three years with the Florida Bar.

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Senior Manager – Tom Martineau

Tom Martineau joined the Evergreen team as senior manager in August 2007, after retiring from his tenured professorship at the Florida A&M University School of Architecture. He is a recognized expert in facilities programming, planning, master planning, and management. In addition to his credentials as a licensed architect, Tom is a LEED Accredited Professional as awarded by the United States Green Building Council. He is also a Florida Department of Education Certified Uniform Building Code Inspector.

Tom has wide-ranging know-how, as a project and program manager. As senior research architect and market leader at Battelle Memorial Institute, he directed more than 100 research projects ranging from under $5,000 to over $4 million. He also directed the institute's construction market research area. As director of the Institute for Building Sciences at Florida A&M University, he directed the groundbreaking research that led to the development of Florida's first statewide building code. Additionally, he led a team of architects during the renovation and restoration project of the historic Tallahassee Federal Courthouse.

As an independent consultant, he has conducted facilities use and management performance audits for 18 school districts in 10 states, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, the School District of Philadelphia, and the Cleveland Municipal School District.

Tom holds bachelor and master of architecture degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Click here to email Mr. Martineau

Senior Manager – Eugene Sherman

Eugene Sherman has served as Project Director and Consultant for a number of projects that directly impact the financial viability of several state and local governments.  Having worked for both the public and the private sectors, his experience includes business process reengineering, disparity studies, strategic planning, performance measure development, and client research and analysis leading to recommendations for business process improvements and economic development.

In addition to consulting for a national public sector consulting firm, Eugene has over 25 years experience in budgeting, international banking, and economic development for small businesses with the Florida Black Business Investment Board, Talla-Com Industries, and Signet and Norwest Banks.

Eugene is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a degree in Accounting and Mathematics minor.  He also holds a certificate in Labor Relations.  Prior to joining Evergreen Solutions, Eugene was most recently a Management Analyst with the City of Tallahassee.

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Manager – Todd Osburn

Todd Osburn has been a public sector consultant for more than 10 years. His experience includes quantitative and qualitative work in human resources management, public education, pay system development, information technology, and government efficiency analysis.

Todd has extensive experience in the areas of statistical modeling, database research, and quantitative analysis. In addition, he has worked extensively in performance management with an emphasis on developing and refining performance measurement indicators used in the continuous improvement process.

Before joining Evergreen Solutions, Todd was a senior compensation analyst for Travis County, Texas; vice president of operations at IMCO; an instructor at Florida State University; and a consultant with a national public sector consulting firm.

He is a candidate for a doctorate in political science from Florida State University and holds a Master of Arts in political science from Bowling Green State University. Todd is also a magna cum laude graduate of Kent State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

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Consultant – Brian Wolfe

Brian Wolfe has a wide range of experience in educational and local government analysis projects. His professional background in risk management and years of experience working in the arena of professional liability and employee benefits make him uniquely qualified to apply this knowledge to a variety of consulting projects.

Brian has served on a wide array of consulting engagements involving client research, collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, report writing and presenting, and the analysis of marketing research information.

At Florida State University, Brian earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in social sciences.

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Operations Coordinator – Emily Mottern

Emily Mottern has professional experience in public sector consulting, advertising and marketing, and new business development. She has wide-ranging experience in human resources studies and survey research with community leaders. In addition, her experience includes serving as an events coordinator with the Florida House of Representatives.

Emily graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University with a degree in marketing. During her studies, she was an active member of the prestigious business honor society Beta Gamma Sigma and the American Marketing Association.

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Marketing Coordinator – Michelle Dahnke

Michelle Dahnke has experience collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, particularly related to communication theory and marketing management. Her experience in risk communication strategy, state government program implementation, grant administration, and contract management make her uniquely qualified to contribute to a variety of projects. In addition, Michelle's marketing skills include public relations campaign design, media planning, website design and new business development.

At Florida State University, Michelle earned her bachelor's degree in public relations (cum laude) and her master's in integrated marketing and management communication. She was a Gubernatorial Fellow under Governor Jeb Bush and served for two years at the Florida Department of Health as a program consultant and management analyst.

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Analyst – Ryan Daigle

Ryan Daigle has extensive knowledge of data analysis collection and methodology. He has participated in multiple research groups working with private businesses. Ryan has experience working with a large number of public sector organizations, compiling quantitative data, researching solutions, and analyzing the results. Clients include those in the states of Florida, Kansas, South Carolina, and California. He also has experience in developing marketing strategies to garner new business and revenues. His expertise includes conducting salary surveys and developing job descriptions.

Ryan graduated from Florida State University with a degree in business marketing. He is currently seeking his master’s degree in integrated marketing communications at Florida State University.

Click here to email Mr. Daigle

Administrative Assistant – Jacqueline Barnes

Jacqueline Barnes has more than 15 years of administrative and clerical experience, including supervising a large word processing department. She has also worked for the Florida Department of Education and a national public- sector consulting firm. Jacqueline has a far-reaching understanding of design, Internet, spreadsheet, and word processing software.

Click here to email Ms. Barnes

Strategic Partners

Dianne Lane, President, Southeast Center for Effective Schools

Dianne Lane, the president of the Southeast Center for Effective Schools, is a former school district superintendent and school board member with a background in curriculum, instruction, and special education. As a consultant, she has conducted management and performance reviews of educational systems in school districts in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, and Oklahoma. The Center has conducted evaluations of Safe and Drug-Free Schools for several school districts, a study of waivers for the state of Florida, and several studies of No Child Left Behind. In the past decade, Dianne has conducted numerous projects with school and district leaders on applying school effectiveness research to drive continuous improvement for student achievement.

Mary Chambers, CPA

Mary Chambers holds a doctorate in educational leadership with a specialization in finance from the University of Florida. Last summer, she participated in the Oxford Round Table studying the Design of Leadership Practices for the Future of Public Education at the University of Oxford in England. Mary served more than 30 years in education and held positions such as superintendent, deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, and director of various functions within the districts. She served two years as a legislative auditor for the Florida auditor general. Mary has performed management reviews and consulting services for businesses and districts nationwide. In 2003, she was recognized by Governor Jeb Bush as a Woman of Distinction. She has condcuted more than 25 school district assessments.

Warren R. Enterprises, LLC (WRE)

WRE is an MBE consulting firm in Burke, Va., dedicated to business practices that provide maximum benefit to clients. WRE President Robert Warren has more than 30 years in the public and private sector in operations, management, marketing, and supervision. He has conducted more than 25 reviews of school district transportation systems including those in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and the District of Columbia. WRE serves as the agent for Evergreen's Virginia office.

Legutko Enterprises

Lee and Susan Legutko are experienced consultants in the area of school district financial management including budgeting, auditing, cash management, payroll, asset management, purchasing, contracting, and support services. Lee has been a CFO in two large school districts and an assistant superintendent for business services for one of the largest school districts in the country. Susan has been a CFO for two school districts. Most recently, they completed a financial review of the Alamance-Burlington school system in North Carolina.

Robert Friedman

Bob Friedman has more than 30 years of experience in MIS applications for school districts and state departments of education across the country. He began his technology career with the Florida Department of Education, where he worked in a variety of capacities for nearly 20 years. In his last position there, he was the program director for the statewide planning and implementation of comprehensive MIS requirements for all Florida school districts. This included the automation of local record keeping, automated state reporting, and electronic student records transfer.

Bob then served as executive director of the Arkansas Public School Computer Network and chief operations officer for the California School Information Services (CSIS) program. Since becoming a consultant, he has provided services to a number of school districts and state departments of education, including those in Ohio, North Carolina, and Idaho.

Dr. Carol Beers

Dr. Carol Beers has served Virginia’s school children in various educational capacities for more than 20 years. She has been a college professor, division reading supervisor, principal, and superintendent. Most recently, she served as the superintendent of Williamsburg-James City County Schools. There, she was responsible for an $85 million budget and 9,500 students.

Prior to becoming a superintendent, Carol served the division as the assistant superintendent for Academic Services. As such, she led efforts to develop elementary, middle, and high school standards; led the revision of the evaluation system for teachers; and led an effort to plan an extended school day for middle schools. In addition, Carol has served as an executive associate professor at The College of William and Mary. There, she was involved in curriculum training and the School Leadership Institute, which trains building administrators and superintendents.

Carol has provided consulting expertise to the National Bureau of Standards, the Virginia Department of Education, the Etobicoke Board of Education in Ontario, and the Toronto Ministry of Education, as well as several local school divisions in Michigan and Virginia.

Best Practice Design

Carol Spencer is director of Best Practice Design. She has served as a middle school principal for almost 20 years and has been a school district’s director of curriculum.

Carol is nationally renowned for her work in middle-school reform efforts, having served as president of the board of directors for the New England League of Middle Schools and as a member of the board for several years. Her firm, Best Practice Design, specializes in systemic education change initiatives, including whole-school reform, leadership development, and research-based teaching and learning practices.

Public Management Solutions

Managing Partner Davin Suggs is experienced in strategic planning, program and policy development, program evaluations, operational and performance reviews, financial planning and budgeting, and human resources management. He has worked for public agencies in Kansas, Nevada, and Florida, and consulted for numerous federal and local agencies. Davin earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Science from Florida A&M University.  His most recent work with Evergreen Solutions was in Cleveland Public Schools, Ohio.

Nicholas Educational Consulting (NEC)

Karen Rae Nicholas, owner and lead consultant for NEC, has extensive professional work experience in planning, developing, supervising, and implementing academic, support service, transition, and self-advocacy programs for students with disabilities. Karen is an educational consultant who specializes in conducting management and performance reviews, facilitating strategic planning, and conducting staff training for educational systems that provide special education programming within state education agencies and school districts across the United States. She has a comprehensive working knowledge of state and federal compliance legislation related to education — specifically the No Child Left Behind Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — and their impact on educational systems.

Russell Campbell

Russell Campbell has more than 20 years of public sector experience in organizational development, strategic planning, and human resources planning. He has planned and directed studies in the areas of management auditing, service cost evaluations, privatization, and cost allocations. He previous served as the director of a national, public consulting firm's South Carolina office and the director of the Maximus Florida Office. He also was a city government administrator.

Jerry Williams, CPA

Jerry Williams has spent more than 30 years in management, performance analyses, and financial and auditing in public-sector positions. He served as project manager for the Texas Comptroller performance reviews of the Texas school districts of Brownsville, Laredo, Kennedy, Hitchcock, and Morgan. As a consultant, Jerry completed the reviews of financial management in the Los Angeles Unified School System and numerous school districts in the states of Washington and Virginia.

Dan Cochran

Mr. Cochran has more than 30 years of public education experience in strategic planning and human resources management. He has planned, organized, and directed studies in the areas of performance reviews, management auditing, and analysis, and human resource evaluations.

Dan’s consulting experience encompasses K-12 human resources consulting, evaluation, and program management. He has provided consulting services to Charlotte, North Carolina; San Diego, California; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Los Angeles, California.

Dan is the former Director of Human Resources for the Broward County School District, Florida and also served as Chief Personnel Director for Fulton County Schools and Cobb County Schools, Georgia.

Thomas Maureau

Mr. Maureau recently honorably retired as a Division Commander from the Tallahassee Police Department after 26 years of service. His experience with the force was wide ranging and included management of primary public safety technology projects and applications, management of the E911, Police and Fire Communications Center, Records Management Section, Property and Evidence Unit, Police Information Management Services, Criminal Intelligence Unit, Crime Analysis Unit, State Attorney Liaison Unit, and Criminal Investigations and Patrol. He also served as the Project Manager of public safety information technology projects and as the Public Safety liaison to numerous internal and external IT entities.

Tom earned his MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix in 2007. He is a Certified Public Manager, and has experience as a Florida Registered Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic. In addition to other professional certifications, he has a bachelor's degree in Criminology from Florida State University.

Tom is an experienced consultant and speaker to national public service organizations and entities that support them, including the International Association of Chief's of Police (IACP) Law Enforcement Information Managers (LEIM) and various national and regional public safety Information Technology conferences. His professional profile includes the following experiences:

  • Executive management responsibility for over $20 million in public safety Information Technology projects
  • Extensive experience with the design, procurement, configuration, and implementation of numerous public safety IT applications and projects
  • Development of strategic and master technology plans, budget reports, cost analysis assessments, return on investment reports, staff assignments, and recurring maintenance of technology projects
  • Creation of policies, standard operating procedures, business processes, and CALEA accreditation standards