Steering Committee

MEET THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS!

Denise Peterson is a Principal at Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, LLC (SJHL), a public accounting firm with offices in McPherson, Hutchinson, Wichita, Manhattan & Salina, Kansas, where she helps leadtheir tax team. Denise entered the accounting profession with Braunsdorf, Carlson & Clinkinbeard, Topeka in 1986. The firm became part of CBIZ and Mayer Hoffman McCann in 1998, and Denise became President and Managing Director of the Topeka CBIZ office in 2000. After moving to Lindsborg in 2011, she transitioned to SJHL in early 2013. Denise holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics – Business (Emphasis in Accounting) from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas and a Masters in Accountancy from Kansas State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Denise has served the KSU Accounting Department as a member of its Advisory Council since inception in the mid-90’s. She’s also very involved with the Smoky Valley Community Foundation, Lindsborg Midsummer’s Festival, Lindsborg Community Hospital Board and her family’s store, Hemslojd, Inc.

Julie Bryant currently holds the position of Manager, Accounting Operations for Phillips 66 based in Bartlesville, OK. She has over 30 years of experience in various financial roles within the oil and gas industry. Julie began her career with Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1989 in the Finance new hire program. She has held numerous Finance and Accounting roles in Bartlesville, OK, Midland, Tx, Houston, Tx, and Calgary, Canada. Julie has been active with finance and accounting recruiting efforts at Kansas State since 1996 and currently is the Phillips 66 Business Partner. Julie is a member of the Kansas State Business Advisory Council and the Kansas State University Accounting Advisory Board. Julie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, in Accounting and Finance from Kansas State University in 1988. She is originally from Seneca, KS.

Kristy Hoover is an Early Career Recruiter for Koch Industries located in Wichita, Kansas. Kristy graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance in May 2017. Kristy started her career as an Accounting Intern & has held numerous accounting and finance roles within the Koch organization since starting full-time with Koch Ag & Energy Solutions in 2017. After leading the Accounts Payable department for her Koch company, Kristy’s passion for recruiting lead her to switch career paths and today she focuses on recruiting university accounting, finance, and agriculture students across the Midwest to help build long-term talent pipelines for Koch Industries. Outside of the office, Kristy enjoys long runs while training for half-marathons and cheering on the Cats in the Bill Snyder Family Stadium every fall.

 

Michelle Crow has over 20 years’ experience in the public accounting industry and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP). She graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s of Accountancy. Michelle has been with Varney & Associates since 1997 and is the firm’s CEO. She specializes in serving financial institution and nonprofit organizations.

When she is not at work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. She also volunteers at her church and coaches high school girls basketball.

Chad Parker is currently a partner at Sink Gordon Accountants & Advisors LLP (SGA) and has been practicing since 1998 after graduation from Kansas State University with degrees in accounting and agribusiness marketing. He joined the firm in 2000 and works primarily with clients in the areas of individual and business tax planning and preparation, QuickBooks software consulting as a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and audits of not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and small businesses. As partner, Chad oversees the firms branch offices and also is in charge of firm productivity, processes and efficiency management. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants. A resident of Waterville, Chad serves his local community as a member of the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, the Valley Heights Rotary Club, the USD 498 Foundation Board, and of the Sutton Lodge AF/AM No. 85. Outside of his role at SGA, Chad enjoys coaching youth sports, running, spending time with family, and watching college and professional sporting events.