VIRGINIA CARDINAL AWARD
The Virginia Cardinal Award is VASBO's premier recognition given to one of its members each year for exemplifying professionalism, leadership, and innovation in the field of school business management. The award winner is announced at the Spring VASBO conference. The winner also attends the Southeast Association of School Business Officials (SASBO) the following year and is recognized as the Outstanding School Business Official for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nominations are accepted year round but close on April 1st for the current award year. If you know a member of VASBO (even those on the current Board) who has made a significant impact in local and state school business finance, please complete the Cardinal Award Nomination Form.
As we have every year since 2009, VASBO members nominate some of their outstanding peers for recognition. The 17th Cardinal Award winner is Susan Peterson, Director of Finance for Roanoke County Public Schools.
Susan Peterson is a standout leader whose impact reaches far beyond her job title. For more than a decade, she has served as the chief financial steward for one of Virginia’s mid-sized school divisions, overseeing a complex, multimillion-dollar budget with precision and purpose. Her work ensures that financial resources directly support instructional priorities and long-term student success.
Innovation is at the core of Susan's work. She developed her division’s first Finance SharePoint site, expanded a public-facing “Budget Blog,” and produced a “Budget 101” video, all empowering staff, families, and taxpayers with greater access to information and decision-making.
Beyond her local work, susan has made a lasting impact across the Commonwealth. She leads a statewide group of school finance officers, coordinating regular meetings that have become a vital professional network. She has served as a VASBO Membership Chair and currently hosts the VASBO School Finance Group, where her dedication and inclusive leadership have helped grow and strengthen the profession.
Her superintendent said she is well known to provide competent and professional leadership and expertise in all aspects of her considerable responsibilities. He further went on to say that she works incredibly hard and is also driven to continuously learn and equip her team with new knowledge and skills.
Susan Peterson
2025 Cardinal Award Recipient
Congratulations Susan on being the 2025 Cardinal Award Winner!
Cardinal Award Winners
2009 Edith Williams - Richmond County
2010 James Meyer - Spotsylvania County
2011 David Cline - Prince William County
2012 William Flaherty - Spotsylvania County
2013 Dennis Jarrett - York County
2014 Penny Hodge - Roanoke County
2015 Lisa Frye - Frederick County
2016 Joanne Wright - King and Queen County
2017 Tina Cropp - Madison County
2018 Bill Bowen - York County
2019 Krista Kelly - Manassas Park City Schools
2020 Marcia Stevens - Caroline County
2021 E. Brook Thomas - Northampton County
2022 Christina P. Berta - Hanover County
2023 Christie B. Fleming - Dinwiddie County
2024 Shannon Irvin - Nelson County
2025 Susan Peterson - Roanoke County