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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.

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, Woodydard & 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

Brian Brown, General Manager , Illinois Agriculture Auditing Association, Normal, IL

 
Brian is a 1981 graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston , Illinois with a BS degree in Accounting. Brian earned his CPA certification in February 1983. He originates from Ogle County in northern Illinois and has spent his entire professional career with the Illinois Agricultural Auditing Association, based in Normal , Illinois . Brian and his wife Christine have four boys, Josh (22), Aaron (19), Eric (11), and Davis (8). Brian began with the Auditing Association as an intern while still attending Eastern and has worked up through the ranks and became general manager in March 2004. IAAA provides audit and accounting services to corporate agricultural entities in Illinois , including 75 licensed grain dealers. The firm also specializes in cooperatives with the majority of their audit clientele structured as cooperatives. Brian is a member of the Illinois CPA Society (ILCPAS), the AICPA, the Illinois Cooperative Council and the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives (NSAC). He currently serves on the Agribusiness committee of the ILCPAS and as Vice President of the Great Lakes Chapter of NSAC. IAAA is also actively involved with the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois and the National Grain and Feed Association. Brian currently serves on the legislative and education committees of the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois. Brian is also the managing principal of DBH and Associates, LLC. DBH is a sister entity of IAAA and provides all of the same professional services as IAAA to clients in Iowa , Wisconsin , Indiana , Kentucky and Connecticut as well as to non-agricultural clients in Illinois .

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.

Tim Burke, Principal, William Blair & Company, Chicago, IL

Tim has been a principal with William Blair & Company, LLC. since 1997. He is responsible for the finance and administrative areas of the Firm including Financial Control, Human Resources, Office Services and the Business Information Center. Prior to joining William Blair & Company, Mr. Burke was a partner with Arthur Andersen in their Chicago office. He led Andersen's Capital Markets practice in the Central Region of the US and its Futures Industry practice in the US. He joined Andersen in1975. In addition to his industry responsibilities in the US, Mr. Burke led projects sponsored by the World Bank to reform the financial markets system in Indonesia and investigate the possibility of creating a financial trading center in the Middle East. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Health Care Service Corporation, which is the holding company for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Texas and New Mexico. He chairs the Audit Committee of the Board and is a member of the Executive Committee.Tim graduated from Eastern Illinois University with both BS and MS degrees. He is a CPA and a member of the AICPA, Illinois CPA Society and the Securities Industry Association.

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.

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, Division Controller, Archer Daniels Midland, Decatur, IL

Cindy is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Business (Accounting).  Since graduating from EIU, Cindy has 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 has been involved with several areas which include Oilseed Crushing and Refining, Packaged Oils, Global Oil Trading , Biodiesel,  and Corn Processing accounting.  She is currently the Division Controller for the Oilseeds Processing Division – Refined/Specialty Oils.  She also serves on the Education and Training Committee and the Technical Accounting Committee.  Cindy and her husband live in Warrensburg and have two daughters.  Cindy enjoys spending time with her family and scrapbooking.

Kenneth S. Pardue, Senior Vice President, Hilco, Northbrook, IL

Kenneth is a 1987 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, with a degree in Accounting. He began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. and passed the CPA exam in May of 1988. He left public accounting in November of 1989 to pursue a career in mergers and acquisition financing.  Since then, he has held various senior positions in underwriting, portfolio management, and originations.  Kenneth resides in Lombard, Illinois with his wife (EIU ’87) and two children, one of whom is a freshman at Eastern.

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.

Dean Scaros, CEO, Pay-Ease, Roselle, IL

Dean Scaros is the president of Pay-Ease , a recognized leader in self service bill payment kiosk technology. Pay-Ease  provides a cost effective fully integrated network solution for collection and processing of consumer bill payments via self-service kiosks. This is accomplished by combining hardware, software, service, security, maintenance, repair, and accounting into one complete package. Raised in Northwest Suburban Chicagoland, Dean received a B.S in Accounting from EIU in 1981. After graduating Dean began to hone his entrepreneurial skills. In 1984 he co-founded Silver Plus Accounting Software, a premiere accounting software package for the IBM PC. The product was purchased by Boise Cascade and was marketed through their office product dealer network integrating the ordering software directly to their inventory. Dean moved on and in 1988 founded Restaurant Software Solutions. (RSS), which was a fully integrated accounting package for the restaurant industry. The package integrated time attendance software to POS devices to food costs and provided a unique daily accounting analysis for the highly competitive industry. In 1991, Dean opened Samuel T's , which he owned and operated until 1993. During that period Dean was also asked to assume a position as the CFO of a major restaurant group in Chicago . His duties included the automation and networking of the financial operations of over 25 restaurants. In 1996, Dean moved to System Development Integration as a director for the SDI Financial Services. There he was placed in charge in developing the City of Chicago 's Department of Revenue's cashiering system. This process involved the integration of 45 separate billing departments into one centralized revenue center and accounted for $4.5 billion in revenue utilizing 200 cashiers. In 2001, Dean founded Pay-Ease  a bill payment kiosk processing network. He has expanded the business and has designed and built the next generation of ATM, called the ACM (Automated Commerce Machine), the unit combines bill payment, ATM, and bio scanning all into one system. Mr. Scaros has recently merged his business with Miesel Investment Capital raising the capital to take the business model nationwide.

Kelsey D. Swing, Staff Accountant, 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 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 Aurora 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.

Jenifer Wyss, Partner, BKD, LLP, St. Louis, MO

Jenifer received her B.S. in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University in 1994. She has over 16 years of auditing experience, including her current position at BKD, LLP, as well as previous experience at McGladrey, eleven years in Peoria, Illinois, and five years in the St. Louis, Missouri office. Jenifer has a broad background in audit and accounting, including experience in areas such as manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, non-for-profit organizations, and employee benefit plan audits. She also has worked extensively with private equity groups and portfolio companies of private equity groups. Jenifer is a member of the AICPA, Illinois CPA Society, and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is also a member of the Association for Corporate Growth. Jenifer is a past team leader for the United Way Women’s Leadership Giving Initiative and a past Board Member of Peoria Area Community Events. Jenifer is currently the Finance Committee Chairman, Treasurer, and Board Member of Grace Hill Settlement House in St. Louis.