The membership of the Nebraska Society of CPAs has selected an outstanding slate of individuals to serve in leadership positions for 2024-2025. New officers and board members were elected during the Society’s Annual Meeting and Society Board of Directors Meeting on Oct. 29, 2024. The meetings were held in conjunction with the Fall Conference at the beautiful Riverview Lodge at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Neb.

Since the Nebraska Society of CPAs began in 1928, member volunteers have generously contributed their time and talents to the Society and the profession.

“Being a volunteer with the Nebraska Society of CPAs has not only deepened my connection to the profession but has also given me a platform to shape the Society’s future,” shared Past Chairman and Nominating Committee Chairman Lorraine Egger of CyncHealth in La Vista, Neb. “I encourage all members to dedicate some time, skills, and energy to advancing the accounting profession—it’s incredibly fulfilling and offers a great opportunity to contribute meaningfully,” she added.

“Serving as chairman this past year has been a privilege,” said Society Immediate Past Chairman Kelly Martinson from Lutz in Omaha, Neb. “The connections I’ve made with fellow CPAs and our collective efforts to move both the Society and the profession forward have been invaluable. I hope more members will step up and take an active role in our shared success.”

“Collaboration is key,” Egger emphasized. “The success of the Society depends on the ongoing dedication and involvement of our members.”

“The Nebraska Society of CPAs has played an essential role in advocating for the profession on important legislative and regulatory matters,” added newly elected Society Chairman Brian Klintworth of HBE LLP in Lincoln, Neb. “Through our active involvement, we’ve worked to strengthen the profession and improve laws and policies that benefit not only CPAs but also the taxpayers we serve. I’m excited to continue that work in the coming year and to ensure our voice remains strong and influential in these critical areas.”

“We are fortunate to have a remarkable group of skilled leaders stepping up this year to continue guiding our Society in a positive direction,” stated Martinson.

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

Chairman

Brian M. Klintworth, CPA, is a tax partner at HBE LLP in Lincoln, Neb. He graduated with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and finance. In 2015, he joined HBE as a tax intern and shortly after began his full-time career as an accountant. He has been instrumental in growing the firm’s tax preparation and consulting services. While at HBE, Klintworth earned a Master of Taxation in 2019 from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Since 2021, he has taught income tax as an adjunct instructor at Concordia University Nebraska in Seward, Neb. In the community, Klintworth is a mentor and presenter at Academy Sessions for TeamMates Mentoring. He presently serves as chairman of the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ CPE Committee and as a member of the Society’s Public Policy and Taxation Committees. Klintworth graduated from the AICPA Leadership Academy in 2019 and played an active role in the Nebraska Leadership Seminar in Omaha, Neb., from 2015-2020. He is engaged to Amanda Clymer, an agribusiness lending credit officer at Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha, Neb.

Chairman-Elect

Jodi M. Eckhout, CPA, of Miller is a shareholder at Woods & Durham Chartered CPAs in Holdrege, Neb. A native of Lewiston, Neb., she earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating with distinction, and a Master of Accounting from Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. She started her accounting career with Galusha, Higgins & Galusha PC and continued working for Wipfli LLP after the firms merged, spending more than seven years working in Helena, Mont. In 2015, she returned to Nebraska, where she worked for McDermott & Miller PC and KSO CPAs & Advisors in Kearney, Neb., before beginning her career with Woods & Durham. At Woods & Durham, she works in small business and individual taxation with a specialty in agricultural businesses. Eckhout graduated from the AICPA Leadership Academy in October 2020, served as treasurer for the Helena (Mont.) Area Habitat of Humanity for six years, served on the Kearney (Neb.) Area Children’s Museum Board and Finance Committee from 2016 to 2019, and was president of the Council of Catholic Women at St. John Capistran in Amherst, Neb. Currently, she is chairman of the Amherst PTO. Eckhout has served on the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ Taxation Committee for seven years, presently as committee vice chairman, and was previously secretary of the Society Board. She and her husband Evan have a daughter, Ember, and two sons, Barrett and Lane.

Secretary

Heather E. Barr, CPA, of Liberty, Neb., has been the controller at Endicott Clay Products Co. in Fairbury, 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

Derrick J. Blum, CPA, is a shareholder at Iron Horse CPAs & Advisors PC in Norfolk, Neb. Born and raised in Norfolk, Blum graduated from Wayne State College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an accounting concentration. He has been with the firm since 2008 and obtained his CPA license in April 2015. Blum’s areas of focus include income tax planning, consulting, and preparation, as well as preparation of financial statements for small to medium-sized businesses. He presently serves on the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ Taxation Committee. Blum and his wife Audrey, of Plainview, Neb., have three children, Dominick, Gavin, and Harper. He enjoys golfing as well as camping and traveling with his family.

New Director

Lauren E. Bond, CPA, is a senior manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP in Omaha, Neb. She joined the firm in September 2013, after graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance. At Deloitte, Bond works with public companies within the consumer and technology sectors, as well as emerging growth companies. Beyond professional commitments, she is an active member of the community, serving on the board of Lauritzen Gardens, where she contributes to the growth and development of Omaha’s premier botanical center. From 2017 to 2024, she served on the Creighton Accounting Advisory Board, guiding the future of the accounting program at her alma mater. In her free time, Bond enjoys salsa dancing, a passion that brings energy and creativity to both her personal and professional life, attends as many ballets, plays, and musicals as she can around Omaha, and tries to keep up with her nieces and nephews.

New Director

Nicole L. Cooper, CPA, MBA, is the chief financial officer at Project Harmony in Omaha, Neb., one of the largest child advocacy centers in the nation. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in accounting, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016. Following graduation, she began her career at Seim Johnson LLP, now Eide Bailly LLP, receiving her CPA license in July 2019. Cooper has also held accounting positions at Burlington Capital and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She joined the military when she was 17 years old and served in the Hawaii Army National Guard for eight years, including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cooper is actively involved in community and professional organizations, including UNO’s School of Accountancy Advisory Board and High School Initiative Committee, as well as volunteering for St. Stephen the Martyr’s Home and School Association. Cooper has served on the Nebraska Society of CPAs’ Accounting Careers Committee and presently serves on the Society’s Not-For-Profit Committee. She and her husband Charles take immense pride in their blended family, embracing the joys and responsibilities that come with raising four children.

New Director

Jill R. Trucke, CPA, joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business in 2014. She is presently an associate professor of practice in accountancy at UNL, teaching a variety of classes including Intermediate Accounting II, Accounting for Business Decisions, and Using Accounting Information. Trucke also oversees UNL’s Discover Accounting program, geared toward high school seniors who have an interest in exploring careers in accounting and business. She graduated from UNL with a Master of Professional Accountancy in May 2000 and passed the CPA exam that same month. Upon graduation, she started her career as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche. During her 14 years at Deloitte, Trucke audited private and public companies in many different industries, specializing in broker dealers and employee benefit plans. She and her husband reside in Lincoln, Neb., with their son. They also have two daughters and a son-in-law. While her adult children live in different states, they enjoy hiking and visiting national parks as a family.

New Director/AICPA At-Large Council Member

Kelly A. Mann, CPA, is the CEO and co-founder of AuditMiner, a B2B SaaS program designed for auditors. Before founding AuditMiner, she spent 15 years in public accounting, serving clients as an auditor in mid-size firms and as a sole proprietor. Mann earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Tampa and obtained her CPA license in 2009. A 2018 graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy, she served on the AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plan Expert Panel for the 2023-2024 term and is currently an At-Large Member of the AICPA Council. She was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor in both 2023 and 2024. Mann grew up in Wahoo, Neb., and now lives with her husband and their three children in Omaha, Neb.

Click to view 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: Megan C. Holt, CFO of Mutual of Omaha Mortgage in Omaha, Neb., and Thomas J. Purcell, III, JD, Phd, CPA, recently retired professor of accounting at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Holt has been on the Society Board for the past three and a half years and also serves on the Society’s Accounting Careers Committee, Investment Committee, and the Women in Accounting Committee. An active CPA since 1979, Purcell has served on the Society Board for three different terms, was chairman of the Society from 1998-1999, and has served on the Foundation Board of Trustees and numerous Society committees over the years. Purcell was the first academic practitioner to have chaired the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee and the Nebraska Society of CPAs.

Undoubtedly, leadership and active participation are the most valuable contributions you can offer to both your Society and your profession. We extend our gratitude to each and every one of these individuals for their continued dedication to the Society and the CPA profession.