Pub. 2 2020 Issue 5

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 6 nebraska cpas PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY JONI SUNDQUIST, NEBRASKA SOCIETY OF CPAS EMPOWERED BY PURPOSE SOCIETY ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2020-2021 LEADERSHIP POSITIONS TheNominatingCommitteeof theNebraskaSociety of CPAs has recommended an outstanding slate of CPAs to serve in leadership positions for the 2020-2021 fiscal year during the Society Board of Directors meeting held at the NESCPA office in Lincoln and via Zoom on August 21. The membership is provided the opportunity to vote on the nominees during the Annual Meeting, which will be held via webcast on October 29 in conjunction with the Fall Conference. “Dedicating time to volunteer for my profession has been very rewarding,” saidSocietyPast Chairman andNominatingCommittee Chairman Patrick A. Meyer of HBE in Lincoln. “Although volunteering requires some time away from the office, serving the profession through the Nebraska Society of CPAs has allowedme to build connections with fellowCPAs from across the country and be a part of decisions that could affect future CPAs,” he said. “Volunteering is the right thing to do for so many reasons,” stated Society Chairman Shari A. Munro of Frankel Zacharia in Omaha. “In spite of the pandemic and the challenges it has created, serving as your chairman this past year empowered me to make a positive impact on the profession and to engage in ways I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.” Munro had the opportunity to testify before the Nebraska Legislature earlier this year, where she quickly recognized the ability of the Society to educate and influence our state senators and other elected officials. “The Society allows us to speak with one voice in the legislative and regulatory arenas,” she said. “We’re all part of the same team—making decisions to benefit the profession, fighting for issues that are important to us, and advancing thought where one individual or one organization may not be able to do so as effectively.” “It’s been a privilege to contribute to the profession while serving side by side with my fellow CPAs,” said Society Secretary Kelly J. Martinson of Lutz in Omaha, whose termon the Society Board has drawn to an end. “Fortunately, we have a group of energetic and highly experienced leaders who will continue to guide and move our Society forward this coming year,” she stated. “I’m proud to present the following slate of candidates for the upcoming Society year. Congratulations to the nominees for 2020-2021.” • CHAIRMAN: Ryan L. Burger, Gabriel, Burger & Else, CPA, PC, Seward • CHAIRMAN-ELECT: Erica R. Parks, BKDLLP, Omaha • DIRECTOR: Linda M. Scholting, Linda M. Scholting, CPA, Springfield • DIRECTOR: Jessica L. Watts, Seim Johnson LLP, Omaha The Society extends a sincere thank you to Martinson for her service on the NESCPA Board and Executive Committee. We also look forward to working with the newly nominated directors. Without a doubt, leadership and involvement are the greatest contributions you can make to your Society and your profession. FOR CHAIRMAN: RYAN L. BURGER Ryan L. Burger of Lincoln is an investment advisor representative at Gabriel, Burger & Else, CPA, PC in Seward. He graduated from Kearney High School before attending Concordia University in Seward. After receiving bachelor’s degrees in both accounting and business administration, Burger worked for four years at the Nebraska State Auditor’s Office before joining Gabriel, Burger & Else, CPA, PC in February 2009. In 2004, hewas honoredwithConcordiaUniversity’s OutstandingGraduate in Business award. Burger joined the Society in 2008 and has served as chairman of the Accounting Careers Committee for five years. He has been on the Society’s Board of Directors for the past three years. In addition to his role as an adjunct professor in both auditing and tax for Concordia University, Burger serves on Concordia’s Board of Regents and on various committees. He also continues to provide leadership to various local and statewide organizations, including the Seward Memorial Library Foundation, Et Cetera Thrift Shop, Mental Health Association of Nebraska, Stone Bridge Creek Homeowners Association, and Fallbrook Homeowners Association. He is a member of the AICPA as well. Burger enjoys sports and spending time with his wife Lisa, who is a former teacher at Lincoln LutheranMiddle &High School. They are members of Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln and have three children: Kylie, Lexie, and Dylan. FOR CHAIRMAN-ELECT: ERICA R. PARKS Erica R. Parks of Omaha is a managing director in the tax practice at BKD CPAs & Advisors. A native of the Baltimore area, Parks graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1994. Shortly thereafter, she began her career in tax accounting with the Washington, D.C., office of Arthur Andersen. She then worked in the tax practice at Ernst & Young