in Seward, Neb. In the community, Klintworth is a mentor and presenter at Academy Sessions for TeamMates Mentoring. He presently serves as chairman of the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ CPE Committee and as a member of the Society’s Public Policy and Taxation Committees. Klintworth graduated from the AICPA Leadership Academy in 2019 and played an active role in the Nebraska Leadership Seminar in Omaha, Neb., from 2015-2020. He is engaged to Amanda Clymer, an agribusiness lending credit officer at Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, Neb. Chairman-Elect Jodi M. Eckhout, CPA, of Miller is a shareholder at Woods & Durham Chartered CPAs in Holdrege, Neb. A native of Lewiston, Neb., she earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating with distinction, and a Master of Accounting from Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. She started her accounting career with Galusha, Higgins & Galusha PC and continued working for Wipfli LLP after the firms merged, spending more than seven years working in Helena, Mont. In 2015, she returned to Nebraska, where she worked for McDermott & Miller PC and KSO CPAs & Advisors in Kearney, Neb., before beginning her career with Woods & Durham. At Woods & Durham, she works in small business and individual taxation with a specialty in agricultural businesses. Eckhout graduated from the AICPA Leadership Academy in October 2020, served as treasurer for the Helena (Mont.) Area Habitat of Humanity for six years, served on the Kearney (Neb.) Area Children’s Museum Board and Finance Committee from 2016 to 2019, and was president of the Council of Catholic Women at St. John Capistran in Amherst, Neb. Currently, she is chairman of the Amherst PTO. Eckhout has served on the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ Taxation Committee for seven years, presently as committee vice chairman, and was previously secretary of the Society Board. She and her husband Evan have a daughter, Ember, and two sons, Barrett and Lane. Secretary Heather E. Barr, CPA, of Liberty, Neb., has been the controller at Endicott Clay Products Co. in Fairbury, Neb., since 2017. She earned a Master of Professional Accountancy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007. Barr began her career in public accounting at Kennedy and Coe LLC (now Pinion) in Salina, Kan. She also held accounting positions at Saint Francis Community Services in Salina, The Salina Country Club, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma prior to making the move to Endicott. She is presently chairman of the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ Business & Industry Committee and is a graduate of the Nebraska Society’s Leadership Academy. She and her husband Lee, a farmer, have three children, Brooklyn, Logan, and Landon. Treasurer Grant H. Buckley, CPA, is a partner and fourth-generation accounting professional with Buckley & Sitzman LLP in Lincoln, Neb. He joined the firm in 2013 after spending three years with Deloitte & Touche LLP. Buckley graduated with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting, with minors in finance and sociology. He also received a Master of Professional Accountancy, with highest distinction, from UNL. Buckley is a board member and treasurer for the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties and also has served on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Accountancy Junior Advisory Board. His wife, Kelsey, is a dentist and together they have two daughters, Libby and Claire. New Director 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 areas of focus include income tax planning, consulting, and preparation, as well as preparation of financial statements for small to medium-sized businesses. He presently serves on the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ 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. New Director Lauren E. Bond, CPA, is a senior manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Omaha, Neb. She joined the firm in September 2013, after graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance. At Deloitte, Bond works with public companies within the consumer and technology sectors, as well as emerging growth companies. Beyond professional commitments, she is an active member of the community, serving on the board of Lauritzen Gardens, where she contributes to the growth and development of Omaha’s premier botanical center. From 2017 to 2024, she served on the Creighton Accounting Advisory Board, guiding the future of the accounting program at her alma mater. In her free time, Bond enjoys salsa dancing, a passion that brings energy and creativity to both her personal and professional life, attends as many ballets, plays, and musicals as she can around Omaha, and tries to keep up with her nieces and nephews. New Director Nicole L. Cooper, CPA, MBA, is the chief financial officer at Project Harmony in Omaha, Neb., one of the largest child advocacy centers in the nation. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in accounting, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016. Following graduation, she began her career at Seim Johnson LLP, now Eide Bailly LLP, receiving her CPA license in July 2019. Cooper has also held accounting positions at Burlington Capital and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She joined the military when she was 17 years old and served in the Hawaii Army National Guard for eight years, including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cooper is actively involved in community and professional organizations, including UNO’s School of Accountancy Advisory Board and High School Initiative Committee, as well as volunteering for St. Stephen the Martyr’s CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 8 Nebraska CPA
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