Live Stream: 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.

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.

Chris Pembrook, MBA, CGAP, CPA, CRFAC is a Shareholder at Crawford & Associates, P.C., in Oklahoma City. Prior to joining the firm, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Oklahoma Police Pension & Retirement System and the Deputy Director of the Local Government & Special Services Division of the Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector's Office.

He is currently serving as a committee member of the AICPA State and Local Government Expert Panel and the Oklahoma Society of CPA's Government Accounting & Auditing Committee. He also was selected to serve on the joint COSO-ACFE Task Force for the development of the group's Fraud Risk Management Guide.

With nearly two decades of expertise in governmental and nonprofit accounting, Alex helps facilitate the development of governmental training programs for Galasso Learning Solutions. Her engaging presentation style, passion for connecting with attendees, and ability to make complex topics accessible have made her a sought-after educator in the field.

Prior to joining GLS, Alex worked for several governmental entities, served as an auditor for a public accounting firm, and earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting from Colorado State University. Her contributions to the accounting field have been widely recognized, including being named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting (2022, 2023) and receiving the AICPA's Outstanding Young CPA Award in 2022.

Alex serves on AICPA Council and is a member of the Governmental Performance Accountability Committee. She previously served on the Emerging Professional Initiative Committee of the AICPA. She is currently serving as the Vice President of the Educational Foundation Board of Trustees for the Colorado Society of CPAs and is a member of their Young Professional Council. Alex loves Disney and running so in January 2024, she completed the 48.6 mile Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World!

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.