Conference Speakers

Brian Maturi

Brian Maturi, MBA, FCA has over 35 years’ financial management experience in the UK and US, including five years with Deloitte Touche and over 20 years with BorgWarner, Inc. where he was a divisional VP-Finance and Corporate Director of Risk Management. His favorite topics include ERM, management accounting and currency, commodity and interest rate hedging. Brian holds a bachelor’s in Economics, an MBA and is an English Institute of Chartered Accountants fellow.

Larry Morgan

Larry is the owner of Orion HR Group, LLC, an independent consulting organization specializing in the alignment of compensation and benefit programs with business strategies. He has more than 30 years of human resources (HR) experience in industries such as retail, high-tech, manufacturing and financial services. Previously, Morgan served in lead HR practice roles for organizations including Best Buy, Lawson Software and Grant Thornton.

Tommy Stephens

Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Presently, Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Technology Professional, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Bart McIlonie

Bart McIlonie is our lead ESOP attorney and is the President and Founder of Atlas Legal Services. He has provided business ownership transition and ESOP advisory services for privately held clients throughout his career. Prior to forming Atlas Legal Services, PLLC, he was a member and shareholder of a nationally recognized ESOP consulting and law firm. Bart is a member of the National Legal and Regulatory Committee of the ESOP Association and has presented at both National Center of Employee Ownership (NCEO) and ESOP Association national and regional conferences. He advises clients on a variety of issues including corporate finance, executive compensation, ESOP operations, ESOP sustainability and general compliance. In addition to his law license he also holds a North Dakota CPA certificate.

Wes Henry

Wes Henry is the President and CIO, and co-owner of True IT. He is a compassionate leader and solution finder with over 40 years of experience in computer technology, IT, security, networking, and software development.  He loves learning new technology, exploring ways to leverage technology to help people and businesses, and sharing his knowledge with others. Wes taught college classes in technology for almost ten years and loved seeing the A-Ha moments when new ideas clicked for other people. When Wes is not at work, he enjoys music, bicycling, exploring new technology, and watching movies.

Andrea Pfennig

Andrea Pfennig is the Director of Government Affairs at the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), North Dakota's premier business advocacy association who is solely dedicated to promoting and defending the free enterprise system on behalf of businesses of every size and in every sector. Prior to joining GNDC, Pfennig worked for the State of North Dakota managing programs related to energy, childcare, revitalization, and conservation. Her most recent past position with the Industrial Commission allowed her to further deepen her interest and knowledge in energy, finance, and policy as it applies to business and government regulation.

Chris Kuehl

Dr. Chris Kuehl is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence. He provides forecasts and strategic guidance for a wide variety of corporate clients around the world. He is the chief economist for several national and international organizations – Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, National Association of Credit Management, Finance, Credit and International Business and the Business Information Industry Association.

David Rendall

During the last fifteen years, David Rendall has spoken to audiences on every inhabited continent. His clients include the US Air Force, Australian Government, and Fortune 50 companies such as Microsoft, AT&T, United Health Group, Fannie Mae, and State Farm. Prior to becoming a Certified Speaking Professional, he was a leadership professor, stand-up comedian, and nonprofit executive. In between presentations, David competes in ultramarathons and Ironman triathlons. David has a doctor of management degree in organizational leadership, as well as a graduate degree in psychology. He is the author of four books:

• The Four Factors of Effective Leadership
• The Freak Factor
• The Freak Factor for Kids
• Pink Goldfish 2.0

Patrick Metzger

Certified EOS Implementer and business coach Patrick Metzger has always been a teacher, coach and facilitator at heart. After spending over a decade as a public school teacher and coach, he decided to embark on the entrepreneurial journey and start his own coaching and consulting company. Within two years, he was working with clients across North America and performing professional talks and trainings. Patrick is passionate about using his coaching and facilitation expertise in growing businesses and people to the next stage as an EOS Implementer and CEO/Founder of The Greenhouse. A high fact finder and great listener, Patrick loves to prioritize laughs throughout the session day with clients as they crush through the focused agenda. Currently, Patrick works with dozens of organizations across the Midwest and nation within a variety of industries in helping them get more out of their businesses, themselves and live their ideal lives. He enjoys guiding everyone from young startups laying the foundational bricks of success to $250M+ companies in increasing efficiencies and making a greater impact in the world.

Leah Donti

Leah Donti, an internationally recognized seminar leader and speaker in accounting and auditing, has been conducting seminars full time for 32 years through her seminar business. She speaks on FASB update, private company GAAP developments, IFRS, variable interest entities, accounting and auditing update, SEC and PCAOB update, revenue recognition, leases, business combinations, compilation and review, fair value accounting, crypto, blockchain, cannabis, digital transformation and agile finance. Leah has received the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award for 11 years in a row for her passion, energy and ability to speak at all levels of the CPA profession and made her a most sought-out speaker across North America.

Michael Raum

Mike focuses his practice on commercial law, with a specific emphasis on tax matters. He works with public and privately-held companies on business transactions, including structuring, financing and advising on general corporate matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mike was General Counsel at an investment management firm with interests in ethanol processing, hotel development and management, and real estate. He also worked as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division.

Donny shimamoto

An innovative thought leader, Donny is dedicated to strategic growth and transformation and throughout his career, has gained invaluable knowledge and exposure to a wide range of industries and sectors allowing him to harness the unique ability to bridge between business and technology.

In 2001, Donny founded IntrapriseTechknowlogies LLC, a specialized CPA firm dedicated to helping small businesses and middle market organizations leverage strategic technologies, proactively manage their business and technical risks, and enable balanced organizational growth, and development. 

Kyle Brehm

Kyle is a tax attorney with more than a decade of experience working with companies to resolve a broad spectrum of issues related to State and Local Tax matters. Kyle is a State and Local Tax practitioner, focused on providing value to clients across a variety of industries: healthcare, financial services, construction, manufacturing and retail. He develops the tax departments with which he works, providing training sessions to clients and evaluating existing processes in order to recommend and design process improvements which utilize innovative technology. In addition to advising his clients, Kyle frequently serves as a speaker for several professional organizations on topics related to Indirect Tax and relevant technology.

Jason Bedford

Jason Bedford joined Legacy Financial Partners in 2017. Prior to that, he worked at a local bank for 24 years in various capacities including teller, personal/mortgage banker, financial advisor and VP of the Investment/Financial Planning division. Jason has a passion for helping clients organize their financial life and track progress towards their financial goals. Jason and his better half Monica, enjoy spending time at the lake on pontoon rides, going for walks and an occasional round of golf. They are also avid NDSU Bison Basketball and Football fans and commiserate together watching the Vikings and Twins. Jason’s daughter, Haley is a Moorhead High School graduate and seeks an elementary education teaching degree at Moorhead State University Moorhead (MSUM).