The Rhode Island Association of School Business Officials selected Joseph A. Balducci, chief financial officer for Cranston Public Schools, as the Rhode Island School Business Official of the Year for 2014.

Balducci was selected by his peers for distinguishing himself in the endeavors of business excellence in education. He holds both a bachelor of science in business administration and an MBA from Bryant College. He also maintains membership in several civic and professional organizations. He is the Treasurer and on the Executive Board of RIASBO.

At their annual conference held at the Airport Radisson Hotel in Warwick on Friday May 9, RIASBO President Maryanne Crawford presented Balducci with an engraved desk clock to honor the event.

In addition to receiving the award, the school business official of the year is given the honor of bestowing a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior who plans to study business in college. Balducci selected Cranston High School East senior Wen Wen Chen, who plans to study finance at Northeastern University in the fall. Chen graduated fourth in her senior class with a weighted GPA of 4.9.

The scholarship is made available through the generosity of Aramark, whose representative Dennis Gomez was at the event to present the scholarship award to Chen.