Meet Larry Mayfield WSD's new CFO

Larry Mayfield is the new chief financial officer at Wenatchee School District. Larry comes to Wenatchee from the Washougal School District where he served as the Business Services Director. We had a chance to catch up with Larry and learn more about him and his new role.

 Tell us about yourself

Larry: I was born and raised in Richland, attended Washington State University where I graduated with a degree in business and then went into Public Accounting. I got my CPA and spent the first part of my career working with farmers in Walla Walla, and then decided to spend time working in education. I spent seven years working for the Tacoma school district and wholly revamped all the finances and systems I then worked for the Hanford site before going back into education. I’ve worked for big and small districts around that state from Prosser to Pasco.

 What attracted you to the Wenatchee community?

Larry: I’ve spent a lot of time in Wenatchee and the surrounding area over the years. My wife’s parents and my brother has a cabin near Chelan. So we were always coming through here and enjoying the outdoor recreation, so you know, the job came up, and I wanted to go back to Eastern Washington and see some blue sky.

So what does a chief financial officer do in a school district?

Larry: I’m responsible for the daily finances, what we spend, recording, correctly reporting all expenditures. I oversee all of the fiscal compliance issues, budget projections and processes that go along with that like payroll, accounts payable, contracts and grants. I’m also Um, responsible for the operations side of things here, which includes: construction, maintenance, transportation, and food service, and technology and insurance.

What did you want to be when you were growing up as a kid, did you always plan on being an accountant, CPA? I mean, who was young Larry gonna be?

Larry: I always, I would be something white collar. I always thought of myself as kind of either being an engineer or, some kind of scientist.

Do you have a hidden talent? Something that people don't know about you?

Larry: I don't do it right now, but I used to barefoot water ski. I would do that a lot when we lived in Richland. We had a fast boat and one day we were out on the river, and I just decided to go for it. I just stepped right out of the ski, it was like stepping right onto the sidewalk. Next thing I know I’m going 40 miles an hour and jumping the wake!

When you’re not digging into spreadsheets what do you like to do in your spare time?

Larry:  I like to be outdoors, fly fishing, biking, running, hiking, anything outdoors.

What are your hopes for education?

Larry: You know from the financial perspective, stability and the financing. Certainty and long-term stability would help education as a whole.

Complete this sentence: 'I'm happiest when...'

Larry:  I'm happiest when I'm outdoors doing something active and productive. I like being busy, and I love the details, that’s why I like my job.