“A single leaf working alone provides no shade.”
That quote reminds us that we do our best work together. February’s Staff Spotlight recipients, Fab Farfan and Lakechia Malone, bring that idea to life through their work in Fiscal Services at Clackamas Education Service District.
Clackamas ESD’s mission is to lead, serve, and innovate for learning. Fab and Lakechia support that mission every day by making sure the financial side of our organization runs smoothly and responsibly.
Lakechia is a Payroll Specialist who processes monthly payroll for more than 550 employees. She manages 83 work calendars and 117 payroll deductions. That level of complexity takes focus, organization, and incredible attention to detail. Payroll is intricate work, and as Lakechia says, “no news is good news.” When employees are paid correctly and on time, they can focus on students and schools. Lakechia works closely with her teammates to keep payroll accurate and dependable for both ESD staff and the districts we serve. Her steady, careful approach ensures trust in a system that touches every employee.
Fab is a Financial Analyst who specializes in grants. He manages financial statements and claims for 40 grants and contracts, making sure funds are tracked correctly and reported clearly. Fab grew up in Gresham, attended Portland Community College, and joined Clackamas ESD after working at Pauly Rogers. In his year and a half here, he has built strong partnerships across programs. He works side by side with program leaders to answer questions, solve problems, and ensure grant funds are used as intended. His work supports strong stewardship of public resources and transparency with our districts and community.
Much of their work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt across our schools. Through teamwork, precision, and a shared commitment to doing things right, Lakechia and Fab help create a strong foundation for learning.
