25th Annual Fall Conference

Chris Kuehl

Dr. Chris Kuehl is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence. He provides forecasts and strategic guidance for a wide variety of corporate clients and business organizations around the world. He is the economic analyst for several national and international organizations.

Prior to starting Armada in 1999 he was a professor of economics and finance for 15 years - teaching in the US, Hungary, Russia, Estonia, Singapore and Taiwan. He holds advanced degrees in economics, Soviet studies and East Asian studies. 

Chris is the co-author of The Flagship and The Watch- both publications from Armada. 

He presents to over 125 associations and businesses each year - in the US and globally. 

Jennifer Wilson

Jennifer is co-founder and partner of ConvergenceCoaching ®, LLC, a national consulting firm that helps leaders achieve success. She is a frequent speaker, writer and thought leader on topics related to leadership, talent, technology and managing change within the CPA profession. Named in the top ten of Accounting Today's 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, CPA Practice Advisors' Top 25 Thought Leaders and AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting, Jen is an experienced change agent, shifting mindsets, business models, and empowering Next Generation leaders. She is also an avid runner, hiker, yogi, gardener, wife and mother of 3.

Sarah Borchers

Sarah Borchers, before working at UNK, worked as an audit manager for several years at a local CPA firm in Kearney, Nebraska where she specialized in audits of governments and non-profits. In addition, she currently represents the profession by serving on the Nebraska State Board of Public Accountancy where she chairs the education and examination committee. She serves nationally on the continuing education committee of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. Dr. Borchers utilizes her experiences as a CPA and the profession to create courses that mirror the real world as much as possible. Coauthoring a number of peer reviewed journal articles, she has given presentations on topics such as crowdfunding, reporting product liability in financial statements, well-being within the accounting curriculum, and incivility in the accounting classroom. Directed student learning, the supervision and mentoring of accounting students, and being a Faculty Advisor to the student led organization Beta Alpha Psi, are but some ways she gives back to students. She was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Award for Untenured Teaching and the Outstanding Faculty Award for Service by the College of Business and Technology.

Education:
D.B.A., Accounting, Creighton University
M.B.A., Accounting, University of Nebraska at Kearney
B.S., Accounting, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Drew is a member of the Nebraska State Board of Accountancy where he chairs the Enforcement Committee. He also is a member of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy where he is a member of the Professional Practice Committee. He recently retired from KPMG LLP after 39 years during which he served as the Nebraska Office Managing Partner for 20 years.

Derrick Blum

Derrick J. Blum, CPA, is a shareholder at Iron Horse CPAs & Advisors PC in Norfolk, Neb. Born and raised in Norfolk, Blum graduated from Wayne State College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an accounting concentration. He has been with the firm since 2008 and obtained his CPA license in April 2015. Blum's primary area of focus includes tax and advisory services for small to medium-sized businesses.  He presently serves on the Nebraska Society of CPAs' Board of Directors and Taxation Committee. Blum and his wife Audrey, of Plainview, Neb., have three children, Dominick, Gavin, and Harper. He enjoys golfing as well as camping and traveling with his family.

Brian Klintworth

Brian M. Klintworth, CPA, MT is a partner at HBE LLP in Lincoln.  He has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an emphasis in accounting and finance.  In addition, he has a Master of Taxation from the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law.  Brian's practice in public accounting is primarily focused on taxation, with an emphasis in specialized tax consulting, M&A transactions, estate/succession planning, tax research, and other tax-related items.  He has experience in preparing all types of tax returns, including individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates/trusts, and more. 

Brian Tankersley

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). He has also served as the technology editor for a major accounting industry publication. Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, and has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005.

Craig Stanland

In 2012, Craig Stanland made a catastrophic decision that forever changed the trajectory of his life.

That choice led to an $800,000 fraud against a Fortune 500 company, a two-year federal prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and the loss of everything he once valued—his career, reputation, and identity.

But prison wasn't the end of Craig's story—it was the turning point.

Today, he is a keynote speaker, author of Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life After Prison, and a trusted voice on fraud prevention, ethical decision-making, and meaningful reinvention.

He offers a rare, firsthand perspective that helps audiences recognize the warning signs of fraud and strengthen the internal controls designed to prevent it.

When he's not speaking or writing, Craig enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and spending time with his three special-needs rescue cats—who keep him grounded, humble, and entertained.

Lexy Kessler

Lexy Kessler is a Partner in Aprio's Assurance Services Practice and is a trusted advisor to business leaders and changemakers in the Mid-Atlantic region. She previously served on the Aprio Board of Directors and led the firm's Government Contracting segment. Throughout her career, Lexy has helped clients balance the challenges and opportunities inherent to operating successfully and mentored young professionals to create a positive impact in the profession. She is constantly seeking new ways to reinvent and improve upon the way her team serves clients.

With over 40 years of experience in the public accounting industry and extensive experience in assurance, tax, and consulting, Lexy is passionate about helping clients adapt to an ever-changing market, transforming challenges into opportunities. She achieves this by taking a proactive role in helping her team address clients' needs, develop strategies for their long-term business needs, and rethink their approach to doing business. Lexy also collaborates with regional leaders in the business community to discuss new ideas for strengthening the Mid-Atlantic business ecosystem.

Lexy has earned several accolades over the years, including AICPA's "Most Powerful Women in Accounting" for three consecutive years, "Maryland's Top 100 Women" which led to her induction as a "Circle of Excellence" member, MACPA's "Women to Watch," and the Washington Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business." Most recently, she has been named in Accounting Today's list of "Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting."

Lexy earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland. She serves on numerous boards, including serving as Chairman of the Board for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. She is also a Board of Trustee Member of Marymount University. Moreover, she is Treasurer of the Professional Services Council (PSC). Lexy is a former Chairman of the Board of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) and the Choral Arts Society of D.C. She also previously served as the Chairman of the National Pipeline Advisory Group, focusing on the development of an inclusive national pipeline strategy for the accounting profession and the modernization of the licensure for CPAs. These roles have allowed her to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession and the community.

Morgan Vogel

As the assistant director, I believe wholeheartedly in CPAR's mission to produce and disseminate high-quality public scholarship that impacts the lives of Nebraskans. I joined the CPAR team in January 2021 as a research associate because I wanted to bridge my academic research skills and passion for community engagement. I was promoted to assistant director in January 2025. I work closely with CPAR's director to develop and conduct research projects for a variety of community partners. I also enjoy working with a stellar group of graduate student research assistants in CPAR and encouraging their interests in applied research.

Education and Credentials

Ph.D., Public Administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha (2021)

M.P.A., University of Dayton, Ohio (2017)

B.A., Political Science, University of Dayton, Ohio (2015)

Anthony Nitti

Tony is a Tax Partner in the Private Tax group of Ernst & Young's National Tax Department, where he chairs the S Corporation and Section 1202 subgroups. Throughout his career, Tony has focused primarily on income taxation of individuals and S corporations, with a special focus on the reorganization provisions, including the structuring of acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations, spin-offs and other restructuring transactions.

Tony is a prolific author, having published dozens of feature articles for The Tax Adviser, Taxes Magazine, Tax Notes, the Journal of Accountancy and Accounting Today. In addition, since 2012, Tony has been a featured tax writer for Forbes, where his column has a national following in the hundreds of thousands. 

Tony teaches S Corporation Taxation at the University of Denver's Graduate Tax Program and Golden Gate University's Graduate Tax Program and is a member of the AICPA's S Corporation Technical Resource Panel. 

Anthony Sorrentino

Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2024

Born July 26, 1954, in Omaha.

Education: Graduate of Archbishop Rummel High School, 1972; Creighton University (B.S. in business administration), 1976; Creighton University School of Law (J.D.), 1981.

Family: Married Catherine Jean Rollman, June 27, 1981; four children.

Occupation: Attorney

Former: Practice leader, Silverstone Group

Member: Nebraska Society of CPAs, Board of trustees, Doane University, 2016-present.

 

R Brad von Gillern

Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2022

Born July 13, 1960, in Lincoln.

Education: Graduate of Burke High School, 1978; University of Nebraska-Lincoln (B.S. in construction management), 1983.

Family: Married Mary Effrein, Dec. 19, 1981; four children: Andrew, Alyssa, Chad and Lindsey.

Occupation: Contractor

Member: board, Boy Scouts of America, Mid America Council (chair).

Former member: board, Lifegate Church; executive board, Salvation Army; board, Omaha Leaders; board of advisors, University of Nebraska Medical Center; commissioner, Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission; board, World Presidents' Organization, Nebraska Chapter; board, Young Presidents' Organization, Nebraska Chapter; president, Downtown Rotary Club of Omaha; president, Downtown Rotary Club Foundation; chair, SSW YMCA; Millard Superintendent Business Advisory Council; Grace University Foundation Board.

Danielle Conrad

Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 2006; re-elected 2010; 2022

Born Danielle Nantkes, Aug. 5, 1977, in Seward.

Education: Graduate of Seward High School, 1995; University of Nebraska-Lincoln (B.A.), 2000; University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D.), 2003.

Family: Married Thomas Conrad, Aug. 15, 2009; two children: Caroline and Will.

Occupation: Attorney

Member: Nebraska Bar Association

Former member: board, Legal Aid of Nebraska; board, Nebraska Lawyers Trust Account Foundation; board, Research Nebraska.

Honors and awards: 2024 Award of Appreciation, Nebraska Bar Association; 2024 Advocacy Award, Nebraska Library Association; 2024 Legislator of the Year, Platte Institute; 2023-24 Honor Roll, Holland Children's Movement; 2023 Friend of Child Health Award, Nebraska Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics; 2023 Child Welfare Fellow, National Conference of State Legislatures; 2023 Community Champion, Education Rights Counsel; Graduated with Distinction for Outstanding Oral Advocacy, Order of the Barristers; CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Family Law Practice; CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Juvenile Law; 30 Most Influential Women in Lincoln, Lincoln Journal Star; Visionary Award, Nebraska Bar Association; President's Award, Nebraska Farmers Union; By the People, Common Cause Nebraska; Advocate of the Year, Nebraska Health Center Association; Early Achiever Award, University of Nebraska Alumni Association; C.A. Sorensen Award, Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty; Friend of Education, Lincoln Education Association; Tribute to Women awardee, YWCA; Champion, Planned Parenthood Voters for Choice; Harold Sieck Public Official of the Year, ARC of Nebraska; Patty Steele Award for Excellence in Advocacy, American Cancer Society.

Beau Ballard

Appointed to Nebraska Legislature: Jan. 4, 2023, to replace Mike Hilgers, who resigned; elected 2024

Born May 5, 1994, in Lincoln.

Education: Graduate of Parkview Christian High School; Colorado Christian University; University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Occupation: Business owner

Former: Legislative staff member

Member: Calvary Community Church

James Greisch

Jim is an innovative, proven leader with over 40 years of public accounting experience including as a National Practice Leader, Regional and local market practice managing partner. He has extensive executive and operational experience leading diverse and inclusive enterprises.

Prior to his retirement from RSM in August of 2021, Jim was the national managing partner for financial services for RSM's North American practice. In that role, Jim lead a team of nearly 5000 professionals serving clients in the asset management, capital markets, insurance, banking, and specialty lending sectors. In addition, Jim served as Chair of RSM International's Financial Services Group where he coordinated the services RSM's global network offered to financial services enterprises across the globe. Concurrently, Jim served as market managing partner of RSM's Nebraska business unit from its formation in 2006.

Jim has extensive experience in generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as well as International Financial Reporting Standards. He meets the requirements to serve as an Audit Committee financial reporting expert.

Jim is active in his community, having served more than three dozen organizations during his more than 40-year career, including service to Creighton University, Children's Hospital and Medical Center and The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, The Archdiocese of Omaha and Blueprint Nebraska. Jim's CPA peers in Nebraska honored him with the Distinguished Service to the Profession award.

Professional affiliations and credentials
• Certified public accountant in the state of Nebraska and more than two dozen other states
• Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants, Former Chair of the Board
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, including service on the Governing Council

Education
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, accounting and finance, Creighton University 

Brian Klintworth

Brian M. Klintworth, CPA, MT is a partner at HBE LLP in Lincoln.  He has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an emphasis in accounting and finance.  In addition, he has a Master of Taxation from the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law.  Brian's practice in public accounting is primarily focused on taxation, with an emphasis in specialized tax consulting, M&A transactions, estate/succession planning, tax research, and other tax-related items.  He has experience in preparing all types of tax returns, including individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates/trusts, and more. 

Jeffrey Gold

Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., became the ninth president of the University of Nebraska System on July 1, 2024, following a national search by the Board of Regents.

He is a nationally recognized higher education and health care leader and advocate. He was the chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and board chair for the Nebraska Medicine Health System from 2014 to 2024. As UNMC's chief operating officer, Dr. Gold was responsible for all aspects of campus leadership, program quality and operation—including 7 colleges, 37 institutes and centers, 5,429 faculty and staff and 4,700 health professions students.

In July 2021, Dr. Gold was named the Provost and Executive Vice President of the University of Nebraska System in addition to his ongoing UNMC/Nebraska Medicine responsibilities. In this role, he served as the chief academic officer of the University of Nebraska System and liaison to the Board of Regents for academic affairs. From May 2017 through June 2021, Dr. Gold served as the chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the state's only public metropolitan university—a role he held concurrently with being UNMC's chancellor.

He holds tenured faculty appointments in UNMC's College of Medicine and in the College of Public Health, where his research interests in health care policy, population health and epidemiology are concentrated. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 350 national presentations, 40 books and chapters and engaged in over 300 invited professorships and keynote presentations.

Dr. Gold is a first-generation student; he graduated from the Cornell University College of Engineering with a bachelor's degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. He earned his M.D. from the Weill Cornell College of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at The New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He completed his cardiothoracic surgical fellowship training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, with additional training in pediatric cardiac surgery at the Boston Children's Hospital, both of the Harvard Medical School.

He has been certified by the American Board of Surgery and by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, specializing in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery. Dr. Gold is licensed in Nebraska, Ohio, New York and New Jersey.

Dr. Gold leads several key economic development boards for the State and the University System, including the Greater Omaha Chamber, University Tech Development Corp, the University Tech Transfer Corp, and UNeTech Corp.

His national leadership roles have included more than 50 national professional committees and more than 100 national organizations, volunteer boards, government and public health councils. He has worked extensively with national- and state-level elected and appointed governing and administrative bodies as an advisor and trusted resource in the areas of higher education, research and clinical care.

Dr. Gold has been married for more than forty years to a medical school classmate. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.