CPAs in Business and Industry Conference 2-Day - HYBRID

Cash Cassady is the Government Affairs Director for the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. In this role, Cash represents the interests of Kentucky CPAs before the General Assembly and works closely with policymakers on legislation affecting the accounting profession and the broader business community. Prior to joining the KyCPA, Cash built his career in banking and wealth management, where he specialized in portfolio design and private trust services. He brings a practical, real-world perspective to public policy discussions, shaped by his experience advising clients and navigating complex financial and regulatory environments. Cash is a graduate of Bellarmine University, where he earned his MBA in Business Administration.

Dalton Cline is a member of the Dentons global Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Group. As a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US, CIPM, CIPT), he routinely advises businesses in a variety of industries and sectors regarding compliance with domestic and international data privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations. Organizations value Dalton's detailed and clear explanations of complex regulations and requirements. Dalton has counseled clients on a wide variety of issues related to the European General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"); US federal law such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA"), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"), Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA"), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA") and Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA"); US comprehensive consumer privacy laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"); state security breach notification laws; and many other US state and federal privacy and data security requirements. Dalton has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating complex data protection addenda in highly regulated industries, including health care, insurance, education and financial services, for legal compliance, industry best practices and institutional risk management. He also routinely revises privacy notices to meet requirements imposed by a variety of laws, including US comprehensive consumer privacy laws, and provides timely and helpful analysis of legal issues and risks related to data privacy and security in mergers and acquisitions. In addition to legal compliance work, Dalton assists organizations in critical post-incident response activities such as breach notification to individuals, regulators and the media; litigation; administrative actions; and recommendations for post-incident remediation. Dalton also helps clients in identifying, evaluating and managing risks associated with privacy and information security practices, such as by mapping requirements to common privacy and security control frameworks like the NIST Privacy and Cybersecurity Frameworks, as well as control sets such as NIST 800-53 Rev. 5 , NIST 800-66, COBIT, ISO-27001 and others. Prior to joining Dentons, Dalton was a privacy analyst at a large public university, where his duties included drafting assessments, reviews, explainers and documentation for a variety of privacy laws, conducting third-party risk assessments and privacy impact assessments, and presenting on privacy law to IT professionals and others. He earned his Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) designation in 2022, and his Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) in 2023.

A member of Dentons’ US Tax practice, Helen V. Cooper focuses on tax controversy and litigation. Helen uses her unique background in both law and accounting to help businesses, as well as high income, high net worth individuals and families, proactively anticipate and resolve potential conflict with tax authorities through advice, memorandum, and opinions designed to mitigate risk and minimize liability. She represents taxpayers before the US Tax Court and other various courts. She also represents taxpayers administratively in examination. Additionally, she advises clients on developments in the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, and case law. Helen is a frequent presenter and author, contributing thought leadership on trends that affect taxpayers. Before joining Dentons, Helen worked at EY. At EY, she was part of teams serving mid-size to Fortune 500 Companies. In the tax controversy space, Helen worked on Large Business & International (LB&I) and Small Business /Self-Employed (SB/SE) Internal Revenue Service audit engagements for corporations and pass-through entities throughout the Midwest and South. She has helped with IDR responses, document productions, protests and Appeals presentations. In the planning space, Helen worked on teams that engaged in accounting methods planning and adoption, where she regularly interfaced with EY National Tax to help prepare accounting method changes. She has also worked on Research & Development Credit studies, including for a client that claimed over US$20 million in federal and state credits, and a Meals & Entertainment study for a utility company in the Southeast, which used statistical sampling. Additionally, Helen has assisted with tax planning and defense for companies in the manufacturing, construction and software industries. She also served on teams that submitted Requests for Proposal to an EY G360 client and for a large in-bound Canadian company. Helen is a Certified Public Accountant. Before becoming a CPA, she practiced law at a multi-state creditor’s rights firm. Her experience includes representing institutional clients in Kentucky and Indiana state courts, and federal district courts. She also worked on the firm’s litigation team that defended attorneys in federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) cases. In law school, Helen served as a tax extern in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, where she helped with a complex tax shelter case. She also externed at the United States Attorney’s Office.

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Chris Garrett was named to his current position with PPL Services in March 2024 where he is responsible for financial strategy development and risk management. He has been with the company his entire career, joining Kentucky Utilities in 1995 after graduating from college. Garrett previously served as the Vice President – Finance and Accounting for LG&E and KU following his role as Controller. He has held multiple positions including management roles in Tax, Corporate Accounting, Financial Planning and State Regulation and Rates. Garrett currently serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the Louisville Free Public Library Foundation, after having served as its chair, vice-chair and treasurer. He is a certified public accountant, a member of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also is an Ignite Louisville and Bingham Fellows graduate. Garrett attended Eastern Kentucky University, graduating with honors, and lives in Bardstown, Ky., with his wife, Katie, and their three children

Brian is Director of Capstone Strategics M&A Advisory Services, working closely with clients across the full deal lifecycle on middle-market buy-side and sell-side transactions. He brings experience in private company mergers and acquisitions, valuation, and strategic consulting. Earlier in his career, Brian held roles with venture-backed firms and The Vanguard Group, where he led a team of financial analysts responsible for budgeting and financial analysis for large-scale technology initiatives. He later worked with a private equity group and family office on investments in technology, real estate, and oil and gas, and has assisted companies in raising both private and venture capital. Before joining Capstone, Brian served as Director of Wipfli’s Business Transition Group, leading a multidisciplinary national team that helped private business owners design and execute transition strategies. He has advised clients across industries including agriculture, construction, healthcare, fintech, manufacturing, wealth management, and technology. Brian holds a BS in Finance and an MBA, both from Pennsylvania State University.

Katrina has 25+ years of experience in several industries leading teams through high growth as the CFO/Controller/Treasurer. Successfully implemented ERP systems for multiple companies while maintaining strong internal controls. Enjoys driving change and developing strong teams.

Abby Koenig is the Talent Management Lead at LG&E-KU/PPL, where she organizes and facilitates the professional development programming for the entire company. She previously taught communication at the University of Louisville's College of Business. She holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Technical Writing.

Bill has over 27 years of experience providing audit and accounting services in various industries, including natural resources, manufacturing, equine, nonprofit, and construction. He has taken on a variety of projects outside the normal audit procedures, including assisting clients with public filings, internal audit, due diligence procedures, IFRS transition, Section 404 internal controls assessments, litigation support, and purchase accounting. Additionally, he has been influential in helping clients implement new accounting standards. Along with providing excellent client service, Bill has trained countless staff and senior auditors with the focus on understanding the risks of the client's business and identifying process improvement recommendations. He helps lead the firm's internal audit team with a focus on energy clients.

Riley Konzen is a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He first gained experience at FBI investigating white collar crime matters including fraud and illicit finance. More recently, he has shifted caseloads to focus on international money laundering and narcotics trafficking. Prior to joining the FBI, he served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps as an aviation logistician and officer recruiter, and still serves as a Major in the Marine Corps Reserves. Riley received a B.A. in International Affairs from Marquette University, and an M.S. in Criminal Science from UNC-Charlotte with graduate certificates in Data Analysis and Geographic Information Science & Technology.

Dr. Chris Kuehl is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence. He provides forecasts and strategic guidance for a wide variety of corporate clients and business organizations around the world. He is the economic analyst for several national and international organizations. Prior to starting Armada in 1999 he was a professor of economics and finance for 15 years – teaching in the US, Hungary, Russia, Estonia, Singapore and Taiwan. He holds advanced degrees in economics, Soviet studies and East Asian studies. Chris is the co-author of The Flagship and The Watch- both publications from Armada. He presents to over 125 associations and businesses each year – in the US and globally.

Quinn Miller is the founder of Harmony CPA Consulting, where she helps accounting teams turn strategic priorities into practical, sustainable change. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, she works with firm leaders to improve processes, strengthen communication and team alignment, and bring structure and accountability to initiatives that can be difficult to move forward alongside the demands of client work. Before founding Harmony CPA Consulting, Quinn spent her career in public accounting, most recently serving in partner and director-level leadership roles with DMLO CPAs and Strothman & Company, now part of LBMC. Her experience spans tax practice leadership, firm operations, process improvement, team development, and organizational change. Quinn is a Certified Public Accountant in Kentucky and Indiana and holds a Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of Louisville. Her work brings together her accounting background and organization development expertise to address both the people and process sides of change.

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Chris Reitz is a scholar-practitioner and entrepreneur advancing leadership and learning at the frontier of AI and human development. His work focuses on workforce transition and building trust in human-AI collaboration and distributed knowledge systems. He develops products and experiences through his company, Attainable, delivering AI solutions for emerging needs across sectors. Chris teaches AI Strategy and Digital Transformation graduate courses at Columbia University, where he has been adjunct faculty for the past decade. Chris has trained more than 15,000 people on AI to date. At the heart of his work is a powerful throughline: shaping belief through narrative-powered transformation. Chris connects people to powerful ideas through storytelling and facilitation. He brings complex systems to life with clarity, empathy, and enthusiasm.

Jennifer Wheatley, President & Co-Owner, HR Affiliates, is a Human Resources Executive with over 30 years of human resources experience in multiple industries including consulting services, manufacturing/distribution, banking, and retail. She enjoys strategizing with business owners and leaders to build HR infrastructures that ensure compliance but focus on creating the right culture to ensure organizational success. She especially enjoys working with entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining HR Affiliates, Jennifer was the President/Owner of an HR consulting firm. In addition to her consulting experience, Jennifer spent many years with JPMorgan Chase in several senior HR roles. Jennifer holds an M.A. in Human Resources Management and a B.S. in Business Administration and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) as well as a certified Senior Professional in HR (SPHR). Jennifer is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), has served on the Boards for KYSHRM and Louisville SHRM. Jennifer is a past adjunct professor at the University of Louisville and regularly speaks on HR topics and has been a presenter at multiple KYSHRM Conferences. Jennifer also serves on the Board for Kentucky NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) and was the recipient of the 2020 KY NAWBO Executive of the Year and is a member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO). She also is a member of the University of Louisville Family Business Center where she is a facilitator for the HR Roundtable.

Tressa Whittington, CPA, CFE, is a Forensic Accountant with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She helps investigate white collar crime, public corruption, fraud against the government and cybercrime. Prior to joining the FBI, she was employed at Strothman & Company on the Entrepreneurial Business Services team. She also has previous experience in governmental and non-profit accounting. Tressa received her B.S. in Accountancy from Arizona State University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.