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Jane F. Adams, Chief Financial Officer, Great American Bancorp, Inc. and Senior Vice President, Finance, First Federal Savings Bank, Champaign, IL

Jane is a 1980 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. degree in Accounting. She earned her CPA certification in November, 1982. She began her professional career at Peat Marwick Mitchell in January 1981 as a staff auditor in their Decatur , IL office. In the spring of 1984, Jane became a Loan Review Auditor for Champaign National Bank in Champaign , IL . She was promoted to Auditor soon after joining the bank and in 1986 became Vice President and Controller. In April 1995, she became the Chief Financial Officer at Great American Bancorp, Inc. and Vice President, Finance at First Federal Savings Bank. She was promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance in February, 1997. Since April 1995, Jane has also been the Secretary and Treasurer of Great American Bancorp, Inc., First Federal Savings Bank and the Bank's subsidiary, Park Avenue Service Corporation. Park Avenue Service Corporation currently operates the GTPS Insurance Agency. Jane is a member of the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society. She is a past treasurer of the Champaign chapter of the American Red Cross and has served as treasurer, secretary and president of the Executive Club of Champaign County, a not-for-profit organization benefiting women in management, administration, the professions, sales and business ownership. Jane and her husband Ron live in Fisher, Illinois and have three sons: Sam, Steve and Sean.

Gregory G. Andresen, Tax Partner, Blackman Kallick and Plante Moran, Chicago, IL

Greg Andresen is a tax partner with Blackman Kallick and Plante Moran. Greg joined the firm in 1984 as a senior tax manager and became a partner in 1986. He is responsible for interpreting tax law as it relates to manufacturers, retail, freight companies, oil jobbers, and high net worth individuals. Greg has worked extensively with employee stock ownership plans, evaluating the feasibility prior to implementation. He also devotes substantial time developing plans to transfer wealth through the use of an S corporation.

Greg began his professional career in 1973 at Peat Marwick Mitchell, now KPMG. After 11 years, he moved to a large Chicago-based firm, Blackman Kallick, which merged with Plante Moran, effective July 1, 2012. He received his B.S. in Accounting in 1971 and MBA degree with an accounting concentration in 1973 from Eastern Illinois University and completed an M.S. in Taxation at DePaul University in 1980. In addition, Greg is a member of the Illinois CPA Society, the AICPA and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. He co‑authored a book with Blackman Kallick partner Irv Blackman on S corporations.

Greg has devoted substantial time developing young professionals. He created the firm’s summer internship program in 1988 which has expanded to a 12-week spring and summer program.

Jeffrey W. Bierman, Partner, KPMG LLP, St. Louis, MO

Jeff received his B.S. in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University. He has over 23 years of Financial Services auditing experience in the St. Louis KPMG office with significant experience in audits of financial institutions, including multi-bank holding company clients, as well as small to mid-size community banks and thrifts. In addition, Jeff has extensive experience in accounting, reporting and disclosure issues for publicly traded financial institutions, including review of SEC 1933 and 1934 Act filings as well as significant experience with accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Jeff served as partner in charge of the St. Louis’ office local action council which focuses on making KPMG an employer of choice and a better place to work. He also served on KPMG’s Partnership Council, which is a select group of 50 partners from around the country who serve as a sounding board to the Firm’s Chairman on various issues affecting the partnership. Jeff is also a member of the Corporate Partnership Committee of the St. Louis Art Museum.

Emily (Smith) Bonomo, Assurance Associate, Clifton Gunderson, LLP, Danville, IL

Emily graduated with a B.S. in Business (Accounting) from Eastern Illinois University in 2008. During her time as an undergraduate student, she served as President and Reporter of Beta Alpha Psi, and she was also a member of the Student Accounting Society and Beta Gamma Sigma. Since graduating, Emily has been employed at Clifton Gunderson, the 14th largest CPA firm in the nation.

Eric Bradham, Partner, Larsson, Woodyard & Henson, LLP, Paris, IL

Eric earned his B.S. in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University. He began his career with Larsson, Woodyard & Henson, LLP in 1979 and became a partner in 1986. Eric assists clients with accounting, tax, financial statement preparation, and employee benefits. Since 2001, Eric has taken over partner in charge responsibilities of the Casey office and now allocates his time between the Paris and Casey offices. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Illinois and Indiana CPA Societies, and the AICPA Management Consulting Services. Eric enjoys boating sailing, bicycling, riding his Harley, and spending time with his daughters.

Patrick Brooks, Senior Manager, KPMG, LLP, Chicago IL

Robert C. Buechner, Jr., Deputy Finance Director, Village of Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights, IL

Robert is a 1979 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Degree, major in Accounting. He has 22 years of governmental accounting experience all with the Village of Arlington Heights, Illinois. The Finance Department is comprised of 30 staff members including five degreed accountants two of which are CPAs. The Arlington Heights Finance Department oversees all financial activities from financial statement preparation to accounts payable, treasury management, budgeting, and public safety personnel pension fund administration for a community of 77,000 residents. Robert began his career with Arlington Heights as a Staff Accountant, was promoted to the newly created position of Chief Accountant in 1988 and assumed the Deputy Director position in 1998. In addition to accounting and finance duties, Robertis the Chairman of the Village Parking Committee. The Parking Committee manages approximately 5,000 parking spaces, 2,500 on-street spaces and 2,500 off-street spaces in four parking garages and five surface lots. Prior to his governmental service, he held positions with Continental Can Company and the Chicago Tribune.

Tami Knight, Partner, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Mattoon, Illinois

Tami graduated with a B.S. in Accounting and Master’s of Accountancy from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2001 and received her CPA certification in November, 1999. She is the partner in charge of the Mattoon office of Kemper CPA Group, LLP, which is a large regional accounting firm with locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and California. Tami began her career with the firm in the Mt. Vernon, Illinois office in 2000, transferring to the Marion, Illinois office in 2006 and then to the firm’s new office in Mattoon, Illinois in 2008.

Tami has significant experience with governmental and commercial audits, as well as individual and corporate taxation. She currently serves on the firm’s Quality Control and Salary and Benefit Committees. She also serves as the treasurer for Coles County CASA, a not-for-profit organization that serves abused and neglected children.

Mary Ellen Meador, Partner & Director of Administration, Kemper CPA Group LLP, Robinson, IL

Mary Ellen graduated with a B. S. in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University in 1982 and received her CPA certification in 1984. She is a partner and Chief Operating Officer of Kemper CPA Group LLP, a large Regional Accounting firm that has 27 offices in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, and California. In 1993, she began her career with Kemper after working eleven years in the Construction Industry as a Chief Financial Officer. Mary Ellen is also a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and an Investment Advisory Representative. She holds memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants, Society for Human Resource Management, and Association of Accounting Administrators. She has held offices in the Association of Accounting Administrators and currently serves on the Board of Directors. She is a past award recipient from Business and Professional Women for her community involvement. She and her husband, Greg, reside in Robinson, Illinois.

Alicia Mueller, Senior Audit Manager, AT&T, St. Louis, MO

Alicia is a 2000 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  She has 12 years of internal audit experience.  In 2000, she began her career with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in Decatur, Illinois, and held various internal audit and compliance roles.  In 2004, she joined AT&T Audit Services in St. Louis, Missouri, as a Senior Auditor, and in 2007 was promoted to Senior Audit Manager.  AT&T Audit Services provides independent, objective assurance services to help AT&T improve operations and accomplish objectives.  Alicia is currently responsible for managing audit projects and client relationships.  She also leads the recruitment and audit subject development efforts for the St. Louis audit team.  She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).  She is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and multiple AT&T employee resource groups.  She resides in Lebanon, Illinois, with her husband.

Michael Mumm, Chief Financial Officer, Agracel, Inc., Effingham, IL

Michael is a 1982 graduate of Eastern Illinois University where he received his B.S. in Accounting.  He is a Certified Public Accountant.  He and his wife Susan (also an EIU grad) have three wonderful children, Jesse, Katie, and Maggie.  Michael enjoys attending his children's sporting events, watching the Chicago Cubs, walking, and working in the yard.

Joel Neikirk, Vice President of Operations, Midamerica Hotels Corporation, Cape Girardeau, MO

Joel is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Accounting. He worked at Illinois Consolidated part-time in data processing during his undergraduate studies. In 1992, he joined McGladrey & Pullen in Joliet. He worked with Arthur Anderson Business Consulting in St. Louis from 1995 until joining Midamerica in 1997. He is responsible for the operations of four hotels and 37 quick service restaurants including monthly review of general accounting entries, payrolls, inventories, budgets, etc. Joel currently owns and operates two Heavenly Ham Specialty Meat Shops and enjoys golf, boating, and running.

Cindy Oakley, Vice President of Finance, Hickory Point Bank, Decatur, IL

Cindy is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Business (Accounting).  She currently serves as the Vice President of Finance for Hickory Point Bank in Decatur, Illinois.  Since graduating from EIU, Cindy worked in various roles at Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) in Decatur, Illinois.  She started her career as an Internal Auditor which allowed her to see many sides of ADM’s business.  From there, she moved into cost accounting.  While in cost accounting, she was involved with several areas including Oilseed Crushing and Refining, Packaged Oils, Global Oil Trading , Biodiesel,  and Corn Processing accounting.  She also served as the Division Controller for the Oilseeds Processing Division – Refined/Specialty Oils.  Cindy and her husband live in Warrensburg and have two daughters.  Cindy enjoys spending time with her family and scrapbooking.

Ken Pardue, Senior Vice President/Marketing Officer, Marquette Business Credit, Chicago, IL

Ken joined Marquette Business Credit in 2012 and is a Senior Vice President/Marketing Officer for Marquette’s Midwest Region in Chicago. Ken, a CPA, has nearly 20 years of senior origination experience and is responsible for over $2.5B in loan volume. Most recently, Ken was responsible for private equity and investment bank coverage efforts for Hilco Appraisal Services throughout the United States. Previously, Ken held senior business development positions at PNC, Merrill Lynch Capital, and JP Morgan. Ken began his career in the Chicago office of Arthur Andersen & Co. Ken has a B.S. in Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University.

Kraig Ritter, BKD, LLP, Decatur, IL

Kraig received a B. S. in Business from Eastern Illinois University in 1987 with a double major in accountancy and computer management. He worked for Moore Business Forms from 1987-1988. In 1988 he joined KPMG in Decatur, IL. The KPMG office in Decatur was sold to George S. Olive in 1992. In 2001, George S. Olive was merged with Baird, Kurtz, and Dobson to form BKD, LLP. Mr. Ritter was elected to the partnership during 2005 and serves clients in the financial services industry. He also serves as the Decatur office’s recruiting coordinator. Kraig is a CPA, a member of the Illinois CPA Society, and AICPA. Kraig and his wife Kelly, have two children, Hannah and Jairon.

Pat Roan, Finance Manager, State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL

Pat is a 1996 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Accounting. Upon graduating from Eastern, Pat took a position with State Farm Insurance as an Analyst in their Systems department. Since joining State Farm, Pat has held a variety of positions at State Farm including Financial Reporting Analyst, Senior Internal Auditor, and Travel and Expense Manager. Pat is currently a manager within State Farm’s Investment Accounting department. Pat’s team is responsible for all accounting related aspects of State Farm’s Mutual Fund products. Among other things, this includes developing daily prices, creating shareholder reports, coordinating Sarbanes Oxley compliance, completing each fund’s annual tax returns, and developing the product line’s budget.  Pat is a strong believer in continuing education and has earned many designations, including Certified Property Casualty Underwriter, Certified Life Underwriter, Certified Financial Consultant, Project Management Professional, an Associate’s Degree in Risk Management, an Associate’s Degree in Insurance and Finance, and Certified Internal Auditor. Pat is currently taking classes to earn an executive MBA degree. Outside of work, Pat is the head coach of a Bloomington High School Rugby Program and Vice President of the Peoria Area Men’s Rugby Club.

Kent N. Rodgers, CPA, CarDon & Associates, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana

Kent graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Accounting with an Economics Minor from EIU in 1987. He began his career with KPMG in St. Louis, leaving in 1994 as a Senior Manager specializing in privately held businesses. Kent also served as a Partner with BKD (formerly Olive) in Bloomington, Indiana, from 1996-2002, where he specialized in serving nonprofit organizations. Kent has served as a CFO of three privately held businesses during his career in hardware & software distribution (94-96), telecommunications (’02-06) and healthcare (since ’06). CarDon & Associates is an Indiana-based senior health care provider with thirteen campuses serving over 2,000 Indiana residents. During Kent’s tenure with CarDon, revenues have grown from $46 million to over $150 million. He was recognized as CFO of the year in 2008 by the Indianapolis Business Journal for privately held companies with annual revenues less than $250 million dollars. Kent and his wife Lisa (EIU BA Education ’87) have four children.

Jason Spraker, Finance Leader, Caterpillar, Inc., Peoria, IL

Jason graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern in May 2004.  He holds a B.S. in Accounting with a Minor in Economics.  His career began with BKD, LLP in Decatur, IL, concentrating in manufacturing and employee benefit plan audits.  Jason earned his CPA in early 2005.

In June 2006, he joined Tate & Lyle.  His 6-year tenure provided a wealth of opportunity and challenge, including holding several positions and living and working abroad for over 4 years. His opportunities and learned knowledge spanned from plant manufacturing and controlling (Decatur, IL); to consolidations, product profitability and executive business partnership (London, UK); to building a finance department from the ground up (Melbourne, AU); to finance directorship and acquisition integration (Brisbane, AU); to leading a company-wide, global initiative of implementing a new SAP system, opening a new shared service center (Lodz, PL); and building globally consistent processes and reporting.

In July 2012, Jason joined Caterpillar.  His first role concentrates on providing leadership support within the finance area of a company-wide initiative to implement SAP and build consistent processes and reporting, Mach 1.

Jason, his wife Carolyn ('04 EIU grad) and two children (Christian and Hailey) are currently relocating to the Peoria area.  Outside of work, Jason enjoys travel, music (a drummer!) and watching and playing sports.

Kelsey D. Swing, Partner, Gilbert, Metzger & Madigan, LLP, Charleston, IL

Kelsey graduated with a B.S. in Business (Accounting) from Eastern Illinois University in 2003, and completed her MBA with Concentration in Accountancy at EIU in 2005. She joined Gilbert, Metzger & Madigan, LLP in 2002 as an intern. She performed an external graduate assistantship with the firm during the completion of her MBA and accepted full-time employment in 2005. Kelsey received her CPA certification in 2006. She has experience in tax preparation for individuals and small businesses and has considerable experience in audits of governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. While a student at Eastern, she was active in Beta Alpha Psi, the Honorary Financial Information Professionals Fraternity; she held the posts of president and recording secretary for this organization and was the recipient of the Outstanding Junior and Senior Awards. She also served as vice-president of the Student Accounting Society. Kelsey is currently serving as a member of the Beta Alpha Psi Alumni Task Force for the International Board of Directors.

Brian C. Talley, Business Support Manager, Caterpillar, Inc., Aurora, IL

Brian is a 1999 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. degree in Accounting. He earned his CPA certification in 2002 and his CMA certification in 2007. Since graduating from EIU, Brian has worked in various roles at Caterpillar's Peoria and Aurora, Illinois, and Gosselies, Belgium, facilities. These roles included financial reporting, forecasting, cost tracking, investment analysis, new product introduction, and operations support. Brian was also actively involved in recruiting at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Brian and his wife, Jamie, live in the Peoria area and have a son, Samuel. Brian enjoys traveling, running, & spending time with friends.

Steve Wente, Partner, Doehring, Winders & Co., LLP, Mattoon, IL

Melissa Wilhelm, Vice President & Chief Audit Executive, First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Mattoon, IL

Melissa is a 1995 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She began her career in internal auditing with First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust in Mattoon, Illinois, during her senior year at EIU as a staff auditor. Melissa has worked her way up to her current position of Vice President and Chief Audit Executive. She is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer (CCBCO) and is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. She resides in Charleston with her two daughters.