Financial Aid Experts

The staff at FA Experts offer a long history of achieving positive quantitative and qualitative results for a variety of public and private institutions. Their shared passion is to assist students in the quest for higher education. They are committed to helping you achieve the same goals.

	David M. Canaski President B.S. Business Administration/Management – Canisius College Dave has been at the leading edge of financial aid and regulatory issues throughout his nearly twenty-five years of professional experience. His experience includes eleven years as the Director of Financial Advisement at SUNY Cortland, and seven years as Corporate Director of Financial Aid at Bryant & Stratton College. Considered one of the industry's leading authorities, he has been asked to speak or train by many distinguished groups, and has been interviewed by major media outlets. Dave has also served as an advisor to four student loan lenders and two guarantee agencies. As president of NYSFAAA in 2006 and 2007, he served during the investigation of student lending by the N.Y. Attorney General's Office. He was widely recognized for his effective, no-nonsense leadership during that tumultuous time.

	Karen T. Taylor Vice President B.S. School of Education and Human Development – Binghamton University Karen's experience and success in financial aid administration are truly remarkable. Over the past twenty-one years, Karen has gained a reputation for excellence in both customer service and professional training. She has worked the last fourteen years at SUNY Cortland, where she was instrumental in the creation of one of the most effective, efficient, and customer-friendly financial aid offices in the region. She has also served the past four years as Vice-President of the SUNY Financial Aid Professionals association, and on numerous advisory boards and professional association committees. She has served as an instructor at professional training sessions many times and has presented at a host of conferences, and her talents have been thrice recognized by her peers through professional association awards.

	Rachel Brinkley Smith Vice President M.S. Management – University of Maryland University College B.S. Business Administration – San Jose State University Rachel is a charismatic and results-driven leader with an impressive record of success in financial aid administration and management. Her background in higher education and student financing spans almost two decades. Prior to joining FA Experts, Rachel served as Assistant Vice President for Wachovia's Education Finance Division. The targeted business solutions she provided resulted in streamlined processes and greatly improved customer service for her clients. Rachel also has direct experience in building efficient and compliant operations as the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Howard Community College and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Rachel has served as Chair-Elect and Maryland President for the DE/DC/MD Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and on the board of the EASFAA.

	Cynthia (Cindy) K. Kohlman Regional Director of Client Services M.A. Liberal Studies – State University of New York at Brockport B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations in Psychology and Communication – Rochester Institute of Technology A.A.S. Business Administration - State University of New York at Alfred Cindy is a highly-experienced financial aid administrator with a history of creating efficient, customer-focused operations. Her twenty-four years of experience in higher education administration most recently included serving as Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Financial Aid at the University at Buffalo. Cindy has also held leadership positions at St. John Fisher College and SUNY Brockport, and worked in education lending with Chase Education First. Cindy is known throughout New York State for her leadership and her creative skills, and has been recognized by her peers through several professional association awards. Cindy places a high value on teamwork, innovation, effectiveness, and quality of interpersonal and written communication.

	Elieser (Eddie) Viera Regional Director of Client Services B.S. Psychology/Sociology - State University of New York at Old Westbury MS.Ed Education - State University of New York at Brockport As a highly-experienced financial aid and enrollment management professional, Eddie is a trusted resource and committed advocate for the schools he serves. In addition to his wealth of experience, he brings a commitment to innovation, creativity, and customer service. His impressive record of success in financial aid administration and management includes service at Monroe Community College (NY), Delaware Technical College, and National Education. Among his many professional affiliations, Eddie is a member of NASFAA, the Puerto Rico Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and SUNY Financial Aid Professionals. As a highly qualified, bi-lingual financial aid professional, Eddie is an integral part of FA Experts' client services in Puerto Rico, South Florida, and New York City.

	Margaret (Peggy) O'Donnell Director of Business Operations B.S. Business Administration - State University of New York College at Buffalo A.S. Computer Programming and Database Management - Bluegrass Community College In her role as Director of Business Operations for FA Experts, Peggy utilizes her extensive operational and financial management experience to keep FA Experts running smoothly. However, she is also considered an authority in Admissions and Enrollment Management, specializing in its relationship to financial aid and regulatory compliance. In her 13 years with Bryant and Stratton College, Peggy held progressive leadership positions including Business Director, Director of Admissions, and Campus Director. She also served as team leader for college-wide initiatives for sales execution & reinvention, information systems conversion to SCT Banner, and regional accreditation. Peggy's broad range of expertise and experience make her an invaluable resource to FA Experts' client schools.

	Warren J. Hoffman Senior Consultant B.S. Philosophy - University of Buffalo B.A. Speech Communication - University of Buffalo Ed.M. English Education - University of Buffalo Warren offers FA Experts' clients a wealth of experience in customer service and student counseling. Throughout his thirty-plus year career in financial aid, and since retiring from SUNY Buffalo State College, he has pursued his passion for training and advising the next generation of Financial Aid Professionals. Warren previously served for four years as President of the State University of New York Financial Aid Professionals, and has held numerous offices in financial aid associations. Warren's counseling skills and mentoring of new financial aid professionals are legendary. Working with Warren or attending a presentation hosted by him is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the industry's great masters.