Kristen VanWinkle, former administrator of the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy (State Board), has been appointed as the new president and executive director of the Nebraska Society of CPAs as of April 1. She succeeds Joni Sundquist in this important role. 

VanWinkle recently completed 10 years of dedicated public service to the State Board. During her tenure as administrator, she oversaw the issuance of certificates and initial permits to practice for CPAs and CPA firms in Nebraska. She also played an instrumental role in the renewal process for permits to practice and assisted in the development and implementation of the State Board’s new database within the Certemy platform.

VanWinkle worked closely with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy CPA Examination Services (NASBA CPAES), Nebraska educators, and candidates to process education requirements for eligibility to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination. She also assisted in the development of amendments to the Nebraska Public Accountancy Act and State Board regulations under Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) Title 288. Most recently, she was a participant on the CPA Licensure Task Force, which examined and helped establish an alternative CPA licensure pathway in Nebraska.

“Kristen’s work over the last 10 years is a testament to her dedication and commitment to public service,” said State Board Executive Director Dan Sweetwood. “I know I can speak for both current and former Board members in expressing appreciation for her support, guidance, and her work product. She has also served as a trusted sounding board, consistently providing thoughtful and well-reasoned recommendations on the many matters we have addressed. While I will miss our direct working relationship within the Board office, I am confident we will continue to collaborate in her new role,” Sweetwood noted. “I am very proud of her, and her accomplishments speak for themselves. I wish her every success.”

Heather Myers, former business manager at the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy and a 13-year employee of the State Board, will assume the duties of administrator. In addition, Megan Petersen has been recently hired to assume the role of CPE/peer review coordinator and business manager. She brings accounting and administrative expertise from Nelnet, as well as prior administrative work supporting health care professionals.

Retirement Announcement

Joni Sundquist has announced her retirement as the president and executive director of the Nebraska Society of CPAs as of May 31.

“I have witnessed firsthand Joni’s quick learn of the profession, positive attitude, and good work while in her role,” said Sweetwood. “She had a significant impact on modernizing several Society platforms and was well versed in communicating and providing information to Nebraska CPAs. I was always impressed with her ability to take a complex matter and be able to provide an excellent summary focusing on the issues at hand.

“She quickly became a member of the national CPA community and I know Board members, NASBA leadership, and other members of the CPA community were well aware of her ability to work together to solve the issues before us,” Sweetwood commented.

“I very much appreciated her motivation to work closely with us on several important initiatives over the years including most recently the new pathways to licensure. Joni led this effort with her development of the CPA Licensure Task Force and continued to oversee and pursue the changes successfully through the Nebraska Legislature. With this important change, she will leave a significant legacy to future Nebraska CPAs! Best of all, I consider her a friend and wish her the best in retirement!”