CDS News – January 2025

DESIGNATIONS

Kelly O’Farrell, CPA, CVA, CBEC® | Certified Business Exit Consultant®

Partner, Kelly O’Farrell, CPA, CVA has recently earned the Certified Business Exit Consultant® Designation from the International Exit Planning Association (IEPA). The Certified Business Exit Consultant® Designation is a significant achievement, complimenting Kelly’s designation as a Certified Valuation Analyst, and helps to further establish Kelly as one of the elite exit planners in the marketplace today.

She joined CDS in 2015 and has twenty-three years of public accounting experience. Kelly earned her certification as a valuation analyst in 2017. In 2019, Kelly was admitted as a Partner. She specializes in business advisory services including business valuations and transaction advisory services for closely held private businesses across a variety of industries. Another area of expertise is in audit and attest with specialization in the manufacturing, construction, and petroleum industries as well as non-profit organizations.


NEW HIRES

Erica Melbie | Payroll Specialist

Erica Melbie joined CDS as a Payroll Specialist in our Willmar office. Prior to CDS, she worked in human resources, payroll, and benefits administration for four years. Erica graduated from Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN with an Associate of Liberal Arts degree and from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Elective Studies, with emphasis in Human Resources and Communication. She specializes in assisting clients with the preparation of their payrolls, tax deposits, quarterly and year-end payroll reports, and W-2 forms.

Read Erica’s Interview

Jean Geselius | Director of Marketing

Jean Geselius returned to CDS as the Director of Marketing in our Willmar office. Prior to CDS, she worked in marketing, visual branding, website development, and event planning for over twenty-nine years. Jean also managed and operated a marketing agency, Ten Oaks Design Studio, for the past two and a half years providing strategic marketing services to clients across various industries. She graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Jean manages the firm’s marketing efforts including the firm’s strategic marketing plan, public relations, social media, website development, and graphic design creation of fliers, postcards, and advertisements. She also assists with internal communications and events.

Read Jean’s Interview

Logan Cronen | Staff Accountant

Logan Cronen joins CDS as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office, after an internship with the firm. He graduated from North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, ND with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Logan specializes in tax preparation and accounting.

 

 

Read Logan’s Interview

Ellary Shipman | Tax Accountant

Ellary Shipman joins CDS as a Tax Accountant in our Willmar office. Prior to joining CDS, she gained over three years of experience in public accounting. She graduated with a degree in Accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Ellary specializes in tax preparation, bookkeeping, and QuickBooks®.

 

 

Read Ellary’s Interview