treasurer of the Friends of Nebraska Dyslexia Association, as a board member of the Lincoln Children’s Museum, and as a member of the UNL School of Accountancy Junior Advisory Board. Bryan E. Slone has announced he is stepping down as president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in June, following a seven-year run leading Nebraska’s statewide business lobbying group. Prior to his arrival at the Chamber, he was a tax attorney with Koley Jessen in Omaha. Before Koley Jessen, he was the Nebraska office managing partner for Deloitte. In the 1990s, Slone worked in Berlin, Germany, as a tax attorney and co-founding partner for the Wilmer Cutler & Pickering law office. In the 1980s, he spent time in Washington, D.C., where he was legal advisor to the IRS commissioner and served as a House Ways and Means Committee staff member under former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub of Nebraska. In this capacity, he helped shape the 1986 federal tax law. Slone was also a candidate for Nebraska governor in 2014. He holds a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jennifer L. Smydra, CPA recently opened a new event venue in a historic space in downtown Loup City. Smydra named the venue Sláinte (pronounced SLAWN-cha) Hall, reflecting her Irish roots. The hall accommodates 40 to 60 people. Sláinte is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic word meaning “health” or “cheers.” Smydra is a sole practitioner with offices in Loup City and St. Paul. She is a member of the City Council in Loup City and is president of the Loup City Chamber of Commerce. Former State Senator John P. Stinner of Gering was inducted into the Nebraska Chamber’s Nebraska Business Hall of Fame in January. A native of Pittsburgh, Stinner attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, playing on the Nebraska Cornhuskers National Championship football team in 1970 and 1971 while earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Economics with a minor in accounting. Stinner earned his CPA license while at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, now KPMG, in Lincoln. He later moved to the Nebraska Panhandle to start a bank, which has evolved into a major employer in the region today. Scotts Bluff County has been home to the Stinner family for nearly four decades. Stinner has served in leadership positions for dozens of civic and statewide organizations over the years, including chairman of the Nebraska Bankers Association. He was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 2014, representing District 48, and served as chairman of the Appropriations Committee from 2017 to 2022. He and his wife Rita were honored with the 2023 Distinguished NEBRASKAlander Award. He has also received a State Arts Award and the Scottsbluff-Gering United Chamber of Commerce Visionary Superstar award. In 2023, the Nebraska Society of CPAs recognized Stinner with the Public Service Award. Amy T. Sughroue, CPA has been promoted to tax director at Frankel LLC. Since joining the firm in 2007, Sughroue has specialized in individual tax, pass-through entities, and not-for-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 HBE LLP has been recognized as one of the Accounting MOVE Project’s 2024 Best Firms for Equity Leadership for the 10th consecutive year. With women holding 46% of leadership roles in the firm, HBE joins just 17 firms nationwide receiving this award. 32 Nebraska CPA
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