from 2019 to 2022 and as secretary of the board from 2021 to 2022. He currently is serving on the Foundation Board of Trustees for the Nebraska Society of CPAs. A native of David City, Neb., Lyons graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and an emphasis in accounting. He and his wife Michelle have two adult children: son Carter (Sarah) and daughter Ericka (Mark) and one grandson, Luka. Outstanding Accounting Educator Award DR. SUSAN W. ELDRIDGE In recognition of her outstanding ability to educate and prepare students to become career-ready, and for her aptitude to implement positive change and build relationships among students, faculty, staff, administrators, employers, and community partners, the Nebraska Society of CPAs is honored to recognize Dr. Susan W. Eldridge as the 2023 recipient of the Society’s Outstanding Accounting Educator Award. Dr. Eldridge is a results-oriented leader, innovator, and avid learner with a proven track record in strategic planning and management. In July 2021, she was named the associate dean for Faculty, Research, and Planning in the College of Business Administration (CBA) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Prior to that, Dr. Eldridge served as director of UNO’s School of Accounting. Born and raised in Lumberton, N.C., Dr. Eldridge earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in accounting, at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill in 1983. That same year, she passed the CPA exam on her first attempt—that was when you took the exam with paper and pencil over two and a half days. Outstanding CPA In Business & Industry Award NEAL D. LYONS Today, nearly half of the Society’s current members do not practice public accounting but instead have careers as educators, in government, or in a variety of capacities in business and industry in Nebraska. One of those outstanding Society members is Neal D. Lyons, who is the recipient of the Society’s 2023 Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry Award. Lyons has 34 years of experience in accounting and business management. His extensive background includes roles in public accounting and corporate leadership positions serving as CFO for wholesale distribution, manufacturing, and financial services companies. He currently is the chief financial officer (CFO) at UNICO Group, an insurance broker headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., where he provides leadership and financial oversight to the company and also manages information technology and human resources. Furthermore, he holds key positions as chairman of the board, executive team member, and shareholder at UNICO. Lyons joined UNICO after spending time as the vice president of finance at GT Exhaust, CFO at Lincoln Poultry, and manager at BKD LLP. In addition to his responsibilities at UNICO, Lyons is actively engaged in community and philanthropic endeavors. He currently serves on the board and finance committee of Tabitha Inc. and contributes his expertise as a member of the church council and as treasurer of Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb. Lyons has been a member of the Nebraska Society of CPAs for 32 years, serving on the Nebraska Society of CPAs Board of Directors 2023 AWARD WINNERS 12 Nebraska CPA
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