Brett Zeller, director of business services for West Des Moines Community Schools, recently earned the Iowa Professional Leadership Award from the Iowa Association of School Business Officials. 

One of the highest honors given by the Iowa ASBO, the award recognizes school business officials who demonstrate excellence in service to their school district, community, and profession. Only two awards are presented each year. 

Among the benefits of the award are a $1,000 scholarship to present to a graduating high school senior from the recipient’s district.

Zeller has been a school business official for six years, making a strong impact through his professional contributions. He has earned recognition for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association and ASBO International. Zeller has also led key initiatives such as FEMA applications during COVID and the TPRA grant, which supported the development of future paraprofessionals and teachers.

In addition to his district work, Zeller actively participates in professional organizations. He has served on the Iowa Department of Education’s Finance Roundtable and leads webinars for the Iowa School Business Management Academy. 

Zeller’s community involvement includes distributing pumpkins from his family farm to local students and helping employees overcome financial challenges with practical support. He has also improved operations by implementing Amazon Business at both Waukee and WDMCS to simplify purchasing and by enhancing the annual budget process at WDMCS with a dynamic Google Sheets approach.

Currently, Zeller serves as an Iowa ASBO Regional Director, continuing his work to support school business operations and his colleagues in the profession.