Fall Conference

Carla McCall

Carla is Managing Partner of AAFCPAs, a preeminent, 350-person CPA and consulting firm based in New England. She is also Chair of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Carla was named one of the Most Powerful Women in the Accounting Profession in 2020-2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor Magazine. Her dynamic executive leadership, bold practicality, and enthusiasm to embrace change is setting the standard for mission driven, growth organizations.

K.C. Belitz

K.C. Belitz is currently the Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, being appointed to the position by Governor Jim Pillen in July of 2023.

Prior to joining DED, K.C. served four years as Chief Operating Officer of the Nebraska Community Foundation, working with NCF staff, volunteers, donors and organizational partners to impact the future of Greater Nebraska. 

K.C. lives in Columbus but spends his time at the Lincoln office of DED or traveling to work with Nebraskans across the state. 

Previously, K.C. served as President of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce since 2000.  K.C. is a native of Columbus and graduate of Columbus High School and Northeast Missouri State Univ. (now Truman University).  He and his wife Colleen are the parents of their daughter Emerson, who is a graduate of UNL and now works for an analyst relations firm.

Heath Mello

Jason Ball

Jason is president and CEO of the Five-Star Accredited Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. As Chamber president, he also oversees the operations of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jason is a Certified Economic Developer and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management and Oklahoma University's Economic Development Institute. He is an active member of the International Economic Development Council, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the U.S. Chamber's Committee of 100 and serves on the board of the U.S.
Chamber Midwest Institute for Organization Management. He was also selected as one of Development Counsellors International "40 Under 40 Rising Starts in Economic Development. Prior to his current role with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Jason served as the president & CEO of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce. He also served as the director of business development for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for five years. Jason also has professional experience in chemistry, technology transfer and business plan development. A Nebraska native, Jason was raised in Sidney, Nebraska and earned his undergraduate degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and an MBA from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Jeremy Wortman

Jeremy Wortman, HRD Initiatives

Chuck Gallagher

Chuck Gallagher, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), is a recognized authority in the speaking world, and an esteemed voice in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). But he's not your average tech guru. With a knack for making complex subjects approachable, Gallagher brings a refreshing blend of insight and humor to his talks, making the future of AI not only understandable, but also exciting.
Whether he's unpacking the ins and outs of AI for business leaders or exploring the ethics of automated systems, Gallagher keeps his audiences hooked with his dynamic style and engaging anecdotes. Drawing from his rich background in business and ethical leadership, he brings a practical perspective that helps audiences connect the dots between technology and their daily lives.
So, if you're ready to delve into the world of AI with a speaker who keeps things lively and enlightening, Chuck Gallagher is your go-to expert. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Matthew Ottemann

Matthew Ottemann is a shareholder with the law firm of McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, PC LLO who specializes in taxation, including state and local taxation, tax disputes and appeals, business tax incentives, estate planning, site selection and planning, and corporate business law.  Matt has successfully represented clients of all sizes in income, withholding, and sales tax assessments and claims before the Internal Revenue Service and Nebraska Department of Revenue.  In addition, Matt advises clients regarding the organization and incorporation of business entities, the design of tax-efficient business transactions and estate planning.  Matt has an extensive background in state tax incentives, including the Nebraska Advantage Act and Iowa's incentive programs, and has advised clients of all sizes with their tax incentive applications and claims.  Matt is an Adjunct Professor teaching Estate Planning at the Creighton University School of Business and was formerly an Adjunct Professor at the Creighton University School of Law.  Matt received an LLM in Taxation, magna cum laude and valedictorian, from University of Alabama School of Law; a JD, summa cum laude, from the Creighton University School of Law; and a BSBA in accounting and finance, summa cum laude, from Creighton University. 

Jon Grob

Bill Busch

James Kamm

Jim Kamm became Nebraska's Tax Commissioner on Sept. 5, 2023, after being appointed by Gov. Jim Pillen. Prior to this appointment, Kamm was with the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he most recently served as UNO's Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance. Before that, Kamm held leadership roles at several Nebraska-based financial institutions. He received a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a Master of Business Administration from UNO.

Sandy Peters

Sandy Peters, CFA, is head of financial reporting policy and serves as spokesperson for CFA Institute to key financial reporting standard setters including the IASB, FASB, and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. She holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.

Roberta Christensen

All intellectual property used by a business has a life cycle. That life cycle commences with conception and development, or with respect to that particular business, may commence with purchase or license. With a particular emphasis in trademark law and long-standing relationships with intellectual property attorneys around the world, Roberta helps clients understand and evaluate their options to protect their valuable intellectual property at home and abroad, and in applying for and securing the protections offered under applicable law. In many instances, businesses wish to acquire, rather than develop, intellectual property. Roberta's extensive experience in drafting and negotiating development, purchase, license and subscription agreements enables her and her team to effectively investigate and evaluate intellectual property rights and deliver solutions that best meet her clients' needs. 

Roberta has been recognized as a leading intellectual property attorney by Chambers and Partners. Chambers notes she "is held in high regard in the market, lauded for her counsel on trademark licensing and registration, as well as IP development." The publication quoted a client as commenting, "She is helpful, creative and sensitive to client needs. A very valued partner."

She has been named among The Best Lawyers in America^® for her work in Copyright Law; Technology Law; and Trademark Law, is AV Preeminent® Rated in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and was selected as a Top Rated Lawyer in IP Law by American Lawyer Media and Martindale Hubbell (2015, 2018-2019).

Janice Mullen

Daniel McDowell

Frank Casey

Frank Casey is a 45-year finance veteran, with experience in both alternative investments and hedging corporate/bank risks. He co-founded Casey Moats Consulting to advise Commercial Real Estate developers and investors on methods to increase leverage and return while reducing equity required. He also works with Amphi Research & Trading's Mark Rzepczynski, past Pres. John W. Henry CTA, designing alternative investment solutions using bank swaps to replicate hedge fund returns, but with greater investor transparency, liquidity and reduced fees. Frank has worked with artificial intelligence managers and enjoys disruptive innovation across several verticals from asset management to cyber security.
Mr. Casey was the covert investigatory member of the group at Rampart Investments that discovered Bernard Madoff's fraud in early 1999 and is a co-author of the New York Times best-selling book No One Would Listen and the documentary film Chasing Madoff, which recount events surrounding the Rampart team's discovery of the Madoff fraud and efforts to bring Madoff's crimes to prosecution. He serves as advisor on fraud to a US Government Agency, and a plaintiff's expert witness against fraudsters.
In the past, Frank helped build an innovative hedge fund of funds nearly tenfold to $2 billion in assets over 6 years by 2007. In the '80s-'90s, he innovated bank risk management, hedging the nascent mortgage-origination/MBS-pipeline risks arena. In the '70s, Frank was early in using equity-option portfolio management for wealthy clients, and he helped build energy risk-hedging disciplines using the new oil futures exchanges. Frank served four years in the US Army and was an Airborne-Ranger Qualified Infantry Captain.