Iowa Governmental Roundtable

Andy Grice, Audit Shareholder, Creative Planning LLC

In 2008, Andy started in public accounting as an auditor at BerganKDV and continues to focus on the audit practice. He primarily concentrates in the area of local governments and nonprofits, specifically with cities, school districts, charter schools, colleges, universities, and other government agencies. 

He has extensive experience with financial reporting in accordance with GAAP, CAFR requirements, analysis of internal control, implementing new GASB Standards, performing audits of financial statements and single audits in accordance with the OMB Uniform Guidance. He also possess general tax knowledge for nonprofits and local governments.

He is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, Minnesota Association of School Business Officials, and Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association.

Brian Shust, Attorney, Nyemaster Goode PC

Teamwork and service are central tenets of Brian Shust’s law practice, starting with his 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. “Being part of something bigger than myself and serving others for a greater good is what drives me,” Brian says. “My passion is supporting forward-thinking teams, big or small.”

In his combined transactional and litigation practice, Brian applies his service-minded approach and unique experience to client advocacy and business counseling. As a JAG officer, he provided legal advice during every facet of the government contracting life cycle. He counseled on soliciting, awarding, and administering contracts, including ensuring regulatory compliance. He led the JAG Corps acquisition integrity office, overseeing over 125 fraud attorneys and advising federal investigators on the legal issues surrounding procurement fraud and corruption. His diverse contracts experience allows him to identify what it means to be a successful business and how to win contracts.

Brian has extensive litigation and investigation experience, which helps him negotiate practical solutions to protect client interests. He defended the Air Force against contract protests and claims in federal courts and boards, and he was military prosecutor for several years. He values a big-picture approach coupled with zealous advocacy.

Now, in his private practice, Brian maintains the values of teamwork and service that have guided his life. “The people I’m working with and working for inspire me,” he says. He enjoys the challenge of helping clients unpack the nuances to achieve their goals. “Lawyers exist to solve problems. Thinking strategically is vital to finding creative solutions.”

With two small children, Brian values the time he devotes to being a husband and father. His new Iowa roots also bring him closer to his extended family. “My family has been blessed to experience different parts of the country for the past 10 years,” Brian says. “Now, I am thrilled to raise my family in one place and instill the amazing values of Iowans.”

Carrie Johnson, Iowa Department of Management

Carrie Johnson began her career working with local governments at the Iowa League of Cities. She worked for the League for more than eight years in various roles in the membership services area. After taking some time off to be at home with her daughter, Carrie rejoined the workforce with Public Financial Management, Inc., a financial advisory firm that works with many Iowa cities and counties. In 2010, Carrie joined the Iowa Department of Management as property valuation and county budget administrator. In her current role, she works with the property valuation system and the utility replacement tax. She also works with county budgets and annual financial reports, as well as county hospital, county/city assessor, and county agricultural extension budgets.

Chris Berens, Berens-Tate Consulting Group

Since 1991 Chris has provided services related to tax-exempt debt for a significant number of public sector entities throughout the country, including arbitrage rebate, escrow verification, parity analysis, and IRS Form 990 (Schedule K). His work has encompassed over 6,000 debt issues in excess of $150 billion dollars. He holds a Certified Public Accountant’s Certificate and is an associate member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Prior to joining the Consulting Group, he was the Public Sector Industry Director for the Nebraska/Iowa practice of an international accounting firm.

Chuck Gallagher

Chuck Gallagher, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), is a recognized authority in the speaking world, and an esteemed voice in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). But he’s not your average tech guru. With a knack for turning the complex into intelligible subject matter, Gallagher brings a refreshing blend of insight and humor to his talks, making the future of AI not only understandable but also exciting. Whether he’s unpacking the ins and outs of AI for business leaders or exploring the ethics of automated systems, Gallagher keeps his audiences hooked with his dynamic style and engaging anecdotes. Drawing from his rich background in business and ethical leadership, he brings a practical perspective that helps audiences connect the dots between technology and their daily lives.

Colette Gagnet

Colette Gagnet, CPA, is a Colorado CPA with 15+ years of experience, including renewable energy credits, merger & acquisitions, R&D Tax Credits, and tax accounting methods.

Frances Haas, Attorney, Nyemaster Goode PC

Fran routinely handles complex issues for employers regarding to disability discrimination, the accommodation process, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, Family and Medical Leave Act, equal pay, and wrongful termination. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements on behalf of management, as well as other labor disputes. She also takes on higher education cases in matters involving Title IX, Title VII, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act. These cases often involve difficult facts relating to sexual misconduct or assault by employees or students—facts that she understands make people uncomfortable. "There are certain ways to handle cases that have delicate issues, and it often requires a soft touch and a lot of nuance," she says.
 
While Fran enjoys litigating, she prefers to help her clients avoid litigation by working through the often complicated maze of employment laws with her clients prior to the development of a claim. For this reason, she emphasizes consulting as soon as an employer identifies the potential for a claim. Whether she consults through a phone call, conducts in-person training, or reviews policies or anticipated employee terminations, she's with the client from start to finish. "It's not just about pointing out the problem but getting them to the finish line so they don't have to worry about it at all."
 
In addition, Fran leads webinars and speaks frequently on employment and higher education issues, with an emphasis on mental health and substance abuse issues in the workplace. She also develops robust in-house training for her clients so that all team members are prepared to issue-spot as tricky issues arise. Fran also is an experienced investigator, and is frequently retained by organizations to investigate internal claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

Jeremy Wortman, Jeremy S. Wortman HRD Initiatives LLC

With a strong passion for and a commitment to the positive development of individuals and organizations, Jeremy Wortman, Ph.D., is the owner of HRD Initiatives, a consulting company specializing in leadership development, organizational development and talent management solutions. Jeremy works with executive teams in determining talent management strategies, building leadership talent, implementing solutions and coaching individual leaders. He has more than 20 years of experience in organization and leadership development with a significant amount of his time at TD Ameritrade where he was the Director of Organizational Effectiveness. He has extensive knowledge of organizational psychology and has developed strategies and programs that build better individuals and organizations using a strengths-based approach. Jeremy has focused his expertise within the accounting profession since 2004. He is a frequent speaker at regional, national and international conferences on the topics of ethical decision- making, leadership development and talent management. His clients range from small accounting firms to the top ten largest in the United States, many of whom are found on Accounting Today’s Best Firms to Work for list. Jeremy attended the University of Nebraska where he earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, Leadership and Organizational Development and a Masters in Business Administration. He holds undergraduate degrees in Economics and Human Resources. Jeremy is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and the Academy of Management. He is also active in his local community as the former President of the Young Alumni Board for the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska, where he was also an adjunct professor from 1999 to 2016.

Lisa Parker, Senior Project Manager, Governmental Accounting Standards Board

Lisa Parker is a senior project manager with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).  Prior to joining the GASB in 2008, Lisa worked for Runyon Kersteen Ouellette CPAs for 10 years, the town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine as finance director and interim town manager for 2 years, and the city of Saco, Maine as finance director for 8 years.
Lisa is a certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant.  She also is a member of the Association of Governmental Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants, where she served as president. Previously, Lisa was president of the Maine Governmental Finance Officers Association, an executive board member of the New England Governmental Finance Officers Association, and a member of a national GFOA standing committee. 
Lisa attended Boston College and the University of Southern Maine graduating with magna cum laude honors and a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Ted Nellesen, Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst, Iowa Department of Management

Ted Nellesen is senior fiscal and policy analyst, local government budgets, for the Iowa Department of Management. Ted joined the Department of Management in July 2012, taking over city, township and miscellaneous levy authority budgets. Prior to joining the Department of Management, Ted worked as a consultant for Public Financial Management (PFM), a municipal finance advisory firm. Ted obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Iowa State University in 2005 and his Master of Public Administration from Drake University in 2010.