The Nebraska Society of CPAs is excited to announce the new officers and directors who will lead our organization into the 2025-2026 fiscal year. These leaders were elected during the Society’s Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting on Nov. 5, 2025, which were held in conjunction with the annual Fall Conference at Mahoney State Park’s scenic Riverview Lodge in Ashland, Neb.

This year’s conference theme, “Building the Future of the Profession: Forward Together,” captures the spirit of the Society’s leadership. Since its founding in 1928, the Nebraska Society has thrived because of CPAs who are willing to step forward to give their time, expertise, and energy. Today, that same spirit of volunteerism and collaboration continues to shape the Society’s direction and strengthen the profession.

“The success of our Society and our profession depend on members stepping forward to lead,” said Society Past Chairman and Nominating Committee Chairman Kelly Martinson of Lutz in Omaha, Neb. “These new officers and directors reflect the best of our profession—people from across the state who are willing to volunteer their time, knowledge, and leadership to help move the profession forward.”

Immediate Past Chairman Brian Klintworth of HBE LLP in Lincoln, Neb., reflected on his service to the Society. “This past year has shown me how powerful it is when our members come together. Whether we were addressing legislative challenges or finding new ways to connect, I’ve seen firsthand the difference that strong collaboration can make. I encourage every CPA to find a way to get involved—you won’t regret it.”

“Our theme this year, ‘Building the Future of the Profession: Forward Together,’ says it all,” said Society Chairman Jodi Eckhout of Woods & Durham Chartered in Holdrege, Neb. “The Society is strongest when we come together as a community of professionals—advocating for the profession at the Nebraska Capitol and beyond, supporting one another, and preparing the next generation of CPAs. I’m honored to lead these efforts.”

“We have a bright future ahead,” added Society Chairman-Elect Justin Hope of Eide Bailly LLP in Elkhorn, Neb. “I’m excited to take on the role of chairman-elect and to work side-by-side with Jodi and my fellow board members to ensure the profession remains strong, relevant, and forward-looking.”

“Congratulations to the newly elected leadership for the year ahead,” Martinson added, “and thank you to those continuing their service on the Society Board of Directors.”

2025-2026 Officers & Board Members

CHAIRMAN
Jodi M. Eckhout, CPA, of Miller, Neb., is a shareholder with Woods & Durham Chartered in Holdrege, Neb. A native of Lewiston, Neb., she graduated with distinction from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and earned a Master of Accounting from Montana State University. Eckhout began her career in Helena, Mont., serving clients in Montana for seven years before returning to Nebraska in 2015. She worked at McDermott & Miller and KSO CPAs in Kearney, Neb., before joining Woods & Durham. Today, she specializes in small business and individual taxation, with an emphasis on agricultural enterprises. Eckhout is a graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy and serves on the AICPA Individual and Self-Employed Tax Technical Resource Panel. She has been active locally, volunteering as treasurer of the Helena (Mont.) Area Habitat for Humanity, on the Kearney Area Children’s Museum Board and Finance Committee, as president of the Council of Catholic Women at St. John Capistran in Amherst, Neb., and currently as chairman of the Amherst PTO. Eckhout has served on the Society’s Taxation Committee for eight years, presently as vice chairman. She also has been involved with the Women in Accounting Committee, the PTET Working Group, and the Accounting Recruitment Campaign Task Force. She and her husband, Evan, have a daughter, Ember, and two sons, Barrett and Lane.

CHAIRMAN-ELECT
Justin M. Hope, CPA, FHFMA, is a partner at Eide Bailly LLP in Elkhorn, Neb. He graduated from Midland University in Fremont, Neb., with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in accounting and economics. With more than two decades of experience serving nonprofit and healthcare organizations, Hope is recognized as a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA). He currently serves as certification co-chair for the Nebraska Chapter of HFMA. In addition, he volunteers as treasurer of Omaha Rodeo Inc. Hope is a graduate of the Nebraska Society’s Leadership Academy and has served on the Society’s Not-For-Profit Committee for 16 years. He and his wife, Meghan, have two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth.

SECRETARY
Heather E. Barr, CPA, of Liberty, Neb., has been the controller at Endicott Clay Products Co. in Endicott, 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
Mark F. Duren, CPA, is a business consultant and former managing shareholder of Lutz in Omaha, Neb. He began his career in 1985, joined Lutz in 1992, and has been a member of the Nebraska Society of CPAs for 37 years. As managing shareholder from 2015 to May 2025 and a longtime member of the firm’s board of directors, Duren plays a pivotal role in shaping Lutz’s strategic direction. Under his leadership, the firm doubled its workforce, grew into Nebraska’s largest accounting and business solutions provider, and consistently ranked among the nation’s Top 100 firms and “Best Places to Work.” Today, Duren continues to support the firm’s leadership and business development efforts while mentoring the next generation. He serves on the Greater Omaha Chamber Board of Directors, the Legislative Committee for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) – Nebraska Chapter, and as honorary chairman of Skutt Catholic High School. This year, he was named to Forbes’ inaugural Best-in-State CPAs list. He and his wife, Johna, live in Bennington, Neb. Outside the office, he enjoys boating, hunting, working out, and spending time with their four children and growing families.

See photos of all members of the Nebraska Society of CPAs Board of Directors.

THANK YOU!
We also extend our sincere gratitude to the following individuals whose terms on the Society Board of Directors have come to an end: Kelly J. Martinson, CPA, and Shari A. Munro, CPA.

Martinson has served two terms on the Society Board; she was secretary from 2018-2020 and chairman of the board in 2023-2024. She also has been a part of the Society’s CPA Exam Task Force and the Women in Accounting Committee since its inception in 2022. Munro has served on the Society Board for four terms, was secretary of the board from 2014-2015, treasurer from 2015-2019, chairman in 2019-2020, and AICPA elected representative from 2022-2025. She was instrumental in establishing the Women in Accounting Summit, serving as chairman of the committee, and was most recently part of the CPA Licensure Task Force. In 2024, she received the Society’s Distinguished Service to the Profession Award.

Guided by the vision of past leaders, today’s dedicated leaders now carry the torch—looking ahead with confidence and moving the profession forward, together.