Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference

James Bence, CPA, is a Partner with Mauldin & Jenkins. He graduated from Mercer University with a BBA in Accounting and Finance. James spends 100% of his time serving a wide range of state and local governmental entities and has worked solely with governments since joining the firm in 2003.

James is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association, the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association, the North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association, and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Shannon Burger is the Chief Executive Officer at Cempa Community Care, a federally qualified health center and infectious disease specialty practice based in East Tennessee. Recently, Shannon earned a Doctor of Science in Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Additionally, she holds a master's in business administration, is a Certified Public Accountant, and is a graduate of the Leadership Tennessee Signature Program.

Over the past eight years, Shannon has led Cempa Community Care through significant transformations, enhancing financial stability and fostering a culture of innovation and growth. Under her leadership, the organization has achieved remarkable milestones, redefining the standards of community healthcare provision. One of her most cherished accomplishments is the expansion of various service lines to address the diverse needs of the community. Initiatives under her tenure include launching the organization's first community pharmacy, establishing a walk-in clinic in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries, opening a new dental clinic, and introducing Cempa's Mobile Clinic. These efforts have significantly broadened access to comprehensive healthcare services and have earned the organization numerous awards and accolades.

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to those served by Cempa Community Care, Shannon serves on local, regional, and national boards. She leverages these platforms to educate on compliance and public policy, while also providing mentorship and training opportunities nationwide.

Melisa Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts.

Melisa is a Certified Speaking Professional, a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and has earned the Association
for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one of the differentiators that set her apart from other CPE providers.

Within the industry, Melisa serves on the FASB's Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), AICPA Council, and the VSCPA's Board of Directors. She previously served on the AICPA's Technical Issues Committee (TIC) and is a past-Chair of the NCACPA's A&A committee. Melisa also authors the AICPA's State and Local Government Guide and serves as a SME for the Center for Plain English Accounting.

Lisa is a senior project manager with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.  Prior to joining the GASB, Lisa worked for Runyon Kersteen Ouellette CPA's for 10 years, the Town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine as their Finance Director and interim Town Manager for 2 years, and the City of Saco, Maine as their Finance Director for 8 years.  Lisa is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.  She is also a member of the Association of Governmental Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants and has served as their President.  Lisa also has previously served as 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 Bachelors degree in Accounting.

Erin M. Sparks, CPA has over 20 years of experience in public accounting focusing her time on serving nonprofit clients. Erin's primary background is in audit and accounting, but she has also spent a significant amount of time on tax and consulting issues affecting nonprofits.

Jean is the contract audit review manager with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Division of Local Government Audit. She is responsible for the contract audit review process of more than 1,700 entities including municipalities, county-related entities, utility districts, public housing authorities, internal school funds, charter schools, quasi-governments and certain nonprofit and for-profit entities. Her daily responsibilities include providing technical assistance to CPA firms and local government officials regarding accounting and auditing issues, as well as related laws, regulations, and other compliance requirements.

Jean graduated from Seoul National University with a B.S. degree in Horticulture and studied accounting at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and the Tennessee Technological University. She is a member of AGA, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). Jean is a graduate of Lead Tennessee, the Tennessee Government Management Institute, and the Tennessee Government Executive Institute.

Christy N. Tennant is Deputy Director with the Tennessee Comptroller's Division of Investigations. Christy is responsible for overseeing and directing investigations involving fraud, waste and abuse in local governments, state agencies, and other publicly funded entities. Christy has worked with the Comptroller's Office for over 23 years. She has directed investigations, resulting in the discovery of fraud, waste and abuse and the prosecution of public officials and employees. Christy has also worked closely with the TBI, the FBI, local District Attorneys General and local law enforcement groups. A graduate of Tennessee Technological University , Christy is also a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Government Manager and a Certified Fraud Examiner. She provides training to professional groups related to internal controls and fraud.