Jeffrey R. “Jeff” Albrecht, CPA, has been promoted to audit manager at Frankel LLC in Omaha. He specializes in construction, manufacturing, and ERISA-related benefit plans, providing financial reporting and consulting services to closely held businesses. Albrecht initially joined the firm in 2018 after earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Creighton University’s Heider College of Business with degrees in both accounting and financial analysis. He was also a member of the Creighton baseball team. In 2021, Albrecht went to work in the internal audit department at Creighton before rejoining Frankel in 2022.
Clarke A. Beller, CPA, has been promoted to audit shareholder at Lutz in Omaha. Beller leads the firm’s construction niche group and focuses on business consulting for private enterprises while also supervising audits, reviews, and compilations. His career in accounting started in 2010.
Brent C. Bradbury, CPA, has been promoted to senior tax manager at Frankel LLC in Omaha. Bradbury joined the firm in 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience from more than 15 years in public accounting and a decade in sales management. His expertise spans across all areas of taxation for both individuals and closely held businesses. Bradbury holds bachelor’s degrees in both business management and accounting from Emporia State University in Kansas. He holds CPA licenses in both Nebraska and Kansas.
Donavon A. “Don” Heimes of Columbus was presented with the Rich Anderson Award during the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet this past spring. The award is presented to a community member who is an active volunteer in Chamber efforts. After moving to Columbus with his family in 1978, Heimes joined the Chamber’s Transportation Committee, the Chamber Commodores, the Columbus Area United Way, and the Scotus Central Catholic School Board of Directors. He presently serves on the Chamber’s Streetscaping, Housing, and Legislative Committees, was King Ferdinand in 2003, and received the Archway and Charles Farnham Awards in 2007 and 2015, respectively. In addition to his leadership at the local level, Heimes has served as chairman of the board for the Nebraska Society of CPAs. A member of the Nebraska Society for 53 years, Heimes presently serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the Nebraska Society’s Political Education Committee and has also been involved with the Society’s Business & Industry and Fall Conference Committees. In 2018, the Nebraska Society of CPAs presented him with the Distinguished Service to the Profession Award. Furthermore, Heimes has served on the board of directors for the Nebraska Chamber, Nebraska Diplomats, University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor’s Board of Counselors, Central Community College System, and the Nebraska Workforce Investment Board. He also has been involved with Catholic Charities in Omaha.
Austin J. Keller, CPA, has been promoted to tax manager at Frankel LLC in Omaha. Keller joined the firm in 2023, after more than six years of previous public accounting experience. He specializes in tax compliance and planning for closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals. Keller holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in accounting, banking, finance, and portfolio management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Justin J. Korth, CPA, has been promoted to tax shareholder at Lutz in Omaha. Korth specializes in tax compliance and consulting for high-net-worth individuals and businesses. In addition, he leads Lutz’s international workforce initiative, serves as head of the Tax Department, and is a member of the Tax Policy Committee. Over the past several years, Korth has been involved with the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ Accounting Careers, Political Education, and Public Policy Committees.
Randall K. “Randy” Koski, CPA, founder of Koski Professional Group in Omaha, has been elected vice chair of the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation (CINCF) for 2024-2026. The CINCF is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making higher education opportunities accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and communities. The CINC Foundation’s 13 member colleges and universities include Bellevue University, Bryan College of Health Sciences, Clarkson College, College of Saint Mary, Concordia University, Creighton University, Doane University, Hastings College, Midland University, Nebraska Methodist College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Union Adventist University, and York University. Koski is a 43-year member of the Nebraska Society of CPAs and served as chairman of the CPE Committee for several years.
William W. “Will” Lanik, CPA, has been promoted to audit director at Lutz in Omaha. He exemplifies strong leadership in the firm’s audit and assurance practice, including expertise in employee benefit plan audits. Lanik also assists the M&A division to help clients understand their business’ worth and plan for ownership transitions. He began his accounting career in 2015.
Mark W. Otte, CPA, has been promoted to M&A director at Lutz in Omaha. He began his career in 2013 and provides valuation, consulting, estate, and corporate planning services as well as litigation support to the firm. In addition, Otte leads sell-side and M&A engagements, leveraging his skills in financial statement analysis, financial modeling, market research, and negotiating transactions.
Jonathan R. “Jon” Patent, CPA, has been promoted to tax shareholder at Lutz and has led the Lincoln office since 2018. He specializes in tax compliance and consulting for businesses and individuals. In addition, Patent is active in the firm’s construction and real estate groups and is heavily involved in business development. He began his career in 2013.
Liza A. Simonson, CPA, of Mullen is opening her own business, Ten Aught Accounting. Simonson grew up in O’Neill, earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with an accounting emphasis from Chadron State College, and then obtained her CPA license in 2007. She has worked in public accounting for nearly 20 years. Ten Aught Accounting will specialize in farm and ranch accounting and tax preparation.
Aimee C. Werner, CPA, has been promoted to M&A director at Lutz in Omaha. As a leader of the firm’s Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) offering, she provides financial due diligence, quality of earnings assessments, working capital consulting, adjusted EBITDA, and purchase price evaluations for both sell-side and buy-side clients. She began her career in 2014.
If you or someone in your organization has received a promotion, appointment, or made a positive impact in your community, we want to hear fom you. Please send your news to joni@nescpa.org and let us share your accomplishments with the membership!
