Joyce Anderson recently celebrated her new office location in the Temple Building at 322 Norris Avenue, Suite 4, in McCook during a ribbon-cutting event with the McCook Chamber of Commerce. Anderson opened her own business in 2018 after working for another firm for several years. (Photo by Shary Skiles, McCook Gazette)
Jodi Benjamin of Fremont was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of Mosaic, an Omaha-based healthcare nonprofit serving more than 5,200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 13 states and over 750 communities. Starting as the controller at Midland University in 2005, Benjamin now serves as chief operating officer and is a member of Midland University’s senior leadership team. Prior to Midland, she worked in the banking industry and began her career with Deloitte in the Audit and Assurance division. Benjamin earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, magna cum laude, and a Master of Business Administration at Midland. Her past community leadership includes serving on the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as chairman of the Chamber’s Professional Development and Leadership Committee.
Sheila Brugger of York has joined CFO Systems LLC as a director, helping the company provide financial leadership, strategy, and talent development for growing businesses needing fractional, interim, or project support. She has experience across a wide range of industries ranging from $15 million to $1 billion. Brugger earned both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Tim Clark has been promoted to president of i3 Bank in Bennington. He was previously the chief financial officer and has served in a leadership role in the bank since 2005. In his new position, Clark will continue to oversee the financial and personnel operations of the bank in addition to the commercial lending and mortgage divisions. Last year, he was named Bennington Alumni of the Year and in 2018 the Bennington Foundation named him Volunteer of the Year. Clark is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, serves on the Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Board of Trustees through the Nebraska Bankers Association (NBA), and is a graduate of the NBA’s Leadership Program.
Jordan Downey has been promoted to partner at Frankel Zacharia LLC in Omaha. Downey joined the firm in 2011 and specializes in closely held businesses but works in all areas of taxation. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in 2007 and earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University in 2018. Downey serves on the UNO Accounting Advisory Board and is also a member of the AICPA.
Jeff Faltys has been promoted to partner at Hancock Dana in Omaha. A graduate of Wayne State College, Faltys works with individuals and small to mid-sized businesses to build efficient tax strategies and accounting structures. He has been actively involved in outside business development groups, along with many firm initiatives such as the scheduling committee, tax line of business committee, and the coaching and career development of young staff.
Billy Friesen of Lincoln has been named corporate secretary of Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest, with offices in Arizona, Iowa, and Nebraska. As secretary, treasurer, and chief financial officer, Friesen will continue to oversee Commonwealth’s financial operations and administrative services. He joined the company in 2014 and has facilitated the company’s transition to a 100% employee-owned company.
Sasha Miller has joined Contryman Associates in Grand Island as an accountant in the tax department. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Miller received her CPA certificate in April 2021 and has four years of experience working in tax preparation for individuals, partnerships, corporations, and non-profit organizations. She is a member of Young Professionals of Grand Island, a board member for Junior Achievement of Grand Island, and is a member of the current class of Leadership Tomorrow Grand Island. She also serves on the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ Accounting Careers Committee.
Ron Nebbia has joined the board of directors of Arbor Bank, based in Nebraska City with offices in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. He is a consulting shareholder at Lutz in Omaha, where he specializes in business management, mergers and acquisitions, and business valuation consulting as well as technology and process efficiency consulting. Nebbia received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a member of the AICPA, is chairman-elect of the Jesuit Academy Board of Directors, and is a past board member of the Ronald McDonald House and Creighton Prep.
Karen Peppmuller of Lincoln was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of Mosaic, an Omaha-based healthcare nonprofit serving more than 5,200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 13 states and over 750 communities. Peppmuller is presently an executive financial assistant at Lincoln Industries and previously has served as vice president of finance at the Nebraska Hospital Association and as a manager and director of administration at Seim Johnson LLP. She has served on the boards of directors for both the YMCA of Lincoln and the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools for six years.
Dan Torczon has been promoted to equity partner at Hancock Dana in Omaha. Since joining the firm in 2016, he has been involved with a variety of firm initiatives, including the scheduling committee, tax line of business committee, and the recruitment of new hires. This past year, he served as a career development coach for staff. With more than 15 years of experience, Torczon works closely with S corporations and partnerships on tax planning and tax return filings while also managing large audit engagements. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Creighton University, where he now serves on the Accounting Advisory Board. Torczon is also a member of the AICPA and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society Nebraska.
Beth Tyler has been promoted to manager at Hancock Dana in Omaha. After joining the firm this past year, Tyler provides clients with tax compliance and works alongside the client services team to assist clients with payroll, bookkeeping, and researching tax credits. She has been involved in several firm initiatives including recruiting, coaching, and career development. Tyler is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting.
Stephanie Vanicek has been promoted to partner at Hancock Dana in Omaha. With more than 10 years of experience at the firm, Vanicek provides tax planning and preparation services for individuals and businesses as well as QuickBooks consulting and implementation for business owners. She has been a part of several firm initiatives including the tax line of business committee, scheduling committee, coaching, and career development for young professionals. Vanicek is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Accounting.
Mark Walz has been re-elected to the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry Board of Directors for District II in Lincoln. He has served on many other boards over the years, including the board of directors for the Property and Casualty Insurers Association of America, Nebraska Property and Liability Insurance Guaranty Association, Western Guaranty Fund Services, Nebraska Insurance Federation, Lincoln Community Foundation, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Special Olympics Nebraska. He is chairman, president, and CEO of Farmers Mutual of Nebraska in Lincoln. Prior to the start of his 31-year career at Farmers Mutual, Walz was an auditor at Deloitte (formerly Touche Ross & Co.) in Lincoln from 1988 to 1991. He graduated summa cum laude from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting.
Scott Weaver has been promoted to manager at Frankel Zacharia in Omaha. He joined the firm in 2015 after graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, Banking, and the Science of Investment Portfolio Management. Weaver works in a variety of industries providing financial reporting and advisory services, benefit plan audits, and tax services to individuals and closely held businesses. He is a member of the AICPA.
Elizabeth “Liz” Wood has been promoted to vice president of finance at TELCOR. Wood joined TELCOR in 2013 and has more than 15 years of experience in financial assurance and auditing. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) in 2004 and became a CPA in 2007. Wood is on the American Red Cross of Nebraska Board of Directors, serving as its chairman for six years.
The following members of the Nebraska Society of CPAs serve as trustees for Bryan Health:
- Bryan Foundation Trustees: Reg Kuhn, Mattson & Ricketts Law Firm, Lincoln;
- Bryan Foundation Trustees: Janet Labenz, Labenz & Associates LLC, Lincoln;
- Bryan Health Trustees: Chris Roth, Reinke Manufacturing Co. Inc., Deshler;
- Bryan Health Trustees: Mark Walz, Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Nebraska, Lincoln;
- Bryan College of Health Sciences Trustees: Sue Wilkinson, Ameritas, Lincoln.
Firms in the News
Frankel Zacharia’s 70 employees collected 570 board games to donate to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Douglas County, an advocacy group for children in the child welfare system. Split into five teams, the employees competed against one another to see which department could accumulate the most games to donate, with the client services team coming away with the top prize: bragging rights! (Photo by David Golbitz, Daily Record)
