Bernard W. “Bernie” Auten, CPA, of Auten Pruss & Beckmann, PC, in Norfolk, received a special honor this past October when members of the Riverside Board of Education dedicated the school’s gymnasium in his name and in memory of his late wife, Sue. A 1967 graduate of Cedar Rapids High School, Auten has long given back—both through generous financial support and countless hours of service—to the school and community he still proudly calls home. During the ceremony, board members presented him with a handcrafted plaque made by the Riverside shop class using a piece of the original court flooring, formally designating the space as the Bernie and Sue Auten Court.
Stephen D. “Steve” Dickas, CPA, has been promoted to senior vice president/CFO of the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) in Omaha. He joined MUD in 2023 as vice president, accounting, and has more than 30 years of experience leading accounting organizations. Dickas has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Judy L. Eggleston, MAcc, CPA, of Cozad collaborated with five other accomplished professional women to write the book, “Messages From Beyond the Sun: Fresh Perspectives From Today’s Spiritually Intelligent Leaders.” Eggleston is well-known for her numerous talents, including flying airplanes, accounting, farming, golfing, and her involvement in the community, including the Cozad Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee. She received a bachelor’s degree in statistical research, testing, and design from California State University at Fresno. Following a move to Washington, D.C., she earned a master’s degree in accountancy from George Washington University and worked for Arthur Anderson as a CPA specializing in taxation and startup businesses. Eggleston grew up on the family farm/ranch now known as Platte Valley Farms, near Cozad, and later returned to the area.
Lou Ann Goding of Omaha has announced her candidacy for the District 8 seat on the Nebraska State Board of Education. She previously served on the Omaha Public Schools Board from 2013 to 2020, including a term as board president from 2015 to 2016.
Sarah C. Griger, CPA, of Eide Bailly LLP in Elkhorn, was selected to attend the 2025 AICPA Leadership Academy, a four-day program held Dec. 8-11 in Durham, N.C. She was selected based on her exceptional leadership skills and professional experience. As a senior manager in the audit department at Eide Bailly LLP in Elkhorn, she’s spent more than a decade guiding mission-driven, non-profit organizations. She’s also a go-to expert on Eide Bailly’s national Nonprofit Technical Issues Committee. Griger holds dual degrees in accounting and business management with an ethics focus from Creighton University. Outside the office, Griger serves as treasurer for Fontenelle Forest, supports the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, and contributes to the Knights of Aksarben Floor Committee. She was also recently selected to participate in Class XVII of Leadership Nebraska through the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce.
The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising emerging professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs. The Academy features career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers. Participants were selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, corporate finance, government, non-profit, academia, and consulting. To date, more than 510 CPAs have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to serve in leadership positions within their organizations. Learn more at https://bit.ly/AICPA-Leadership-Academy.
Joseph E. “Joe” Hunhoff, CPA, of Bloomfield and his family are holding their seventh annual “Angels Among Us” fundraiser in memory of Phyllis Hunhoff. The funds are used to purchase gifts that all 178 pre-K through sixth grade students in the community can give to their parents or caregivers for Christmas.
Jeanette L. Moeller, CPA, has joined Security National Bank of Omaha as senior vice president and director of corporate finance. Moeller brings more than 25 years of experience in professional accounting and executive-level finance to the position. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also attended the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.
Jeffrey M. “Jeff” Scherer of Beemer was honored for his contributions to education by the Nebraska Community College Association during its annual conference on Nov. 2 in Lincoln. Scherer has served as an at-large representative on the Northeast Community College Board of Governors since 2016. In addition, he has served as a member and officer of Nebraska Diplomats and as a board member, district director, and chairman of the board of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Scherer also has served on 4 Lanes for Nebraska and the Northeast Foundation Board of Directors, and has supported fundraising efforts to build the Northeast Nursing College. He is a graduate of Midland University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in accounting. He became a CPA in 1989, working for Brune & Oelkers CPAs in Dodge. In the early 1990s, he served as controller for Smeal Fire Apparatus Company in Snyder, eventually becoming CFO. He later led his own ventures, including Best Point Properties Inc. (doing business as Horizon Inn & Suites) from 2007 to 2017, and Scherer Land & Cattle Co.
Anna M. Wegener, CPA, has joined Rossitto & Associates LLC in Omaha as a senior tax accountant. A CPA since 2023, Wegener holds a Master of Professional Accountancy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Prior to joining the firm, she spent five years at Forvis Mazars, where she advanced to the role of senior accountant. Wegener specializes in tax planning and compliance for clients in real estate, retail, construction, and professional services.
Walter H. “Walt” Williams, CPA, of Columbus was recently recognized for 25 years of service to Loup Power District. Williams has served as vice president of accounting and finance/CFO since 2015. He joined Loup Power District in 2000 as chief accountant. In 2011, he became supervisor of purchasing and insurance before being promoted to his current position. Williams is a graduate of Lincoln High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in management and accounting from Peru State College and his CPA license in 1990.
The following CPAs have been recognized on Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Best-in-State CPAs:
Robert H. “Bob” Berger, CPA, Managing Partner, Berger Elliott & Pritchard CPAs LLC, Omaha
Lester F. “Les” Buckley, CPA, Partner, Buckley & Sitzman LLP, Lincoln
Ralph Dovali, CPA, Partner, McMillen Dovali Co., Omaha
Mark F. Duren, CPA, Consultant & Former Managing Shareholder, Lutz, Omaha
Frank L. Hayes, CPA, Shareholder & President, Hayes & Associates LLC, Omaha
Sasha D. Miller, CPA, Director, Allen Capital Group, Grand Island
Scott D. Sorenson, CPA, Managing Partner, Frankel LLC, Omaha
Michelle R. Thornburg, CPA, Partner, HBE LLP (formerly Koski Professional Group), Omaha
Read more at forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-cpas.
The following CPAs have been recognized on Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Top 200 CPAs:
Brian M. Klintworth, CPA, Partner, HBE LLP, Lincoln
Christi L. Olsen, CPA, Partner & Owner, Circle CPA LLC, Omaha
Read more at forbes.com/lists/top-cpas.
