Bryan Ward is the founder and principal of The College Authority, LLC. located in Austin, Texas. He is a noted college planning specialist with more than a decade of experience. He has been invited to speak nationally on issues surrounding educational consulting business practices. Bryan has been quoted in both local and national publications, including Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, and holds the CCPS designation. Bryan mentors certified financial planners, CPAs, educational consultants, attorneys, and other professional advisors nationwide in the execution of higher education business practices. He attended Sterling College in Kansas where he was a scholarship basketball player.
About Us
Founded in 1999 in Garden City, Kansas, The College Authority moved and found its home in Austin, Texas in 2002.
The College Authority’s mission is to serve college-bound students and families by demystifying the process of searching for a proper college “fit”, and by providing outstanding support during the application and aid processes. We’re dedicated to providing the best coaching, tools, and information to our clients. We interact with our clients in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.
Our extensive research takes you behind the scenes and allows you to make more informed decisions. Our process allows for flexibility to meet the myriad of familial and student needs in both the financial and college counseling arenas. Our core of trained professionals, undergo extensive training and typically have many years of experience in the field. We have had the privilege of serving thousands of students over the lifetime of our company.
Today, The College Authority continues to grow. With offices in Dallas, San Antonio, and Boulder, Colorado, The College Authority has plans to open an office in Fort Worth, TX (2010), as well as in Houston, TX (2011). Our independent affiliate offices are located across the United States.
The Team
Bryan Ward
Jim McKinney
Jim McKinney is a consulting partner with The College Authority, LLC. and a Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS) recognized by The National Institute of Certified College Planners. With over fifteen years of experience as a business owner and over six years of experience in the College Planning Industry, Jim brings a unique understanding of the needs of today’s students and their parents in the college planning process . As a public speaker to schools, service clubs, libraries and churches, Jim helps to educate families and students in the extensive undertaking associated with the College Planning process. A native Texan, Jim is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Chelsy Parafinik
Chelsy received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. After graduation she taught in the public school system in Austin, Texas before finding her true passion, college planning. She has been a member of The College Authority team for over three years working with college bound families in Colorado. She is a member of the National College Advocacy Group (NCAG) and is currently pursuing her MBA/Finance degree. In her spare time she is a board member for the Denver Alumnae of Chi Omega, volunteers at various organizations throughout the Denver metro area focusing on education, and uses the gorgeous Colorado scenery to enhance her photography skills.
Lori Greenhaw
Lori’s past experience ranges from being an information systems analyst and compensation analyst for Baylor Medical Center to managing an office for a chiropractor to over 10 years experience in the office equipment and software and travel industries holding positions from sales to management. During this time, she worked closely with school districts to assist them with the purchasing decisions.
Lori’s twin daughters are sophomores in the Northwest ISD district. They enjoy playing the violin and cello in the orchestra. As well, Lori’s daughters are 2nd Degree Black Belts in taekwondo and certified junior instructors. In 2010, the girls were ranked 2nd and 4th in the nation in the age 14-31 category. Lori also has a 23 year old son who is a manager for an air compressor sales and service repair company.
Also active in the Taekwondo America organization, Lori holds a Red Belt level. She competes locally and nationally.
Lori graduated from West Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Marketing in 1986.
She is an active member of the Alumni Association.
Bill Prince
Was employed for over twenty-five years in the accounting field including, fifteen years as financial controller for a quasi governmental agency. Reviewed and implemented federal and state grant programs involved with education and people related grants.
Married to a Social Worker and have a daughter who provided me with my first grandchild in November, 2010. Live in New Berlin with a few Tennessee Walking horses to ride for pleasure and relaxation.
Deborah Preissinger
Deborah attended UT Arlington (public college) and graduated from LeTourneau University (private college). She holds a bachelors degree in Business.
Deborah also is a Certified College Planning Specialist and a member of the National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP) since February of 2010, a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) since 2001and is the owner of a health insurance agency in Fort Worth.
Tyler Parafinik
Tyler, trained and mentored by the industry’s leading experts, is passionate about helping families understand their options and students look their best in the eyes of important college officers. While applying to college, Tyler lacked the tools and expertise that comes with being an advisor for The College Authority. He remembers the challenge of shopping for colleges based upon their sticker price, not knowing there was a better way. His compelling story and insight into the college admissions and financial aid process make him an invaluable asset to each family. An accomplished athlete, Tyler played both soccer and football during his collegiate years, so he is very familiar with the athletic recruiting process. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, he graduated with honors from an award-winning university before embarking on his college planning career several years ago with AZ College Solutions, an affiliate office of College Authority in Phoenix, Arizona. When not working with his clients at The College Authority, Tyler is a self-proclaimed movie buff who also enjoys staying active with soccer and amateur ballroom dancing on the weekends.
