MEET OUR NEWEST PARTNERS
Heather Thompson and Michelle Hanson were admitted as Partners at CDS on January 1, 2018.
Heather Thompson has been our Firm Administrator since 2009, directing many of our firm’s successful initiatives—including staff recruitment and retention, strategic planning, facility enhancements, staff development programs, community and volunteer activities, and special projects. Her unique skills and perspectives have been instrumental in developing our firm’s culture and working environment.
Michelle Hanson, CPP, CHRS, is the Director of Payroll Services, overseeing the growth and service enhancements that have made CDS a leading payroll provider in West Central Minnesota. She provides visionary improvements to the payroll department, places a high priority on client service, and helps team members advance their skills and job satisfaction.
STAFF PROMOTIONS
Karla Hemmesch, EA, was recently promoted to Senior Accountant. She joined CDS in 2012 as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office. Karla graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead, in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a
minor in Finance. She received her QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification in 2013 and her EA certification in 2016. Her focus areas are tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, and QuickBooks. Karla is a
member of the MAPA.
Brent Ascheman, CPA, was recently promoted to Senior Accountant. He joined CDS in 2013 as a Staff Accountant in our Sartell office. Brent graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He received
his CPA certification from the Minnesota Board of Accountancy in 2017. Brent received his QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification in 2015. His
focus areas are tax preparation, financial statements, business consulting, QuickBooks, bookkeeping, and the petroleum industry. Brent is a member of the AICPA, the MNCPA, the Central Minnesota Networking Group, and the Sartell and St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce organizations. He is also involved with the Central
Minnesota Builders Association.
Brenda Parsley, CPA, was recently promoted to Senior Accountant. She joined CDS in 2016 as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office. Brenda graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University
in Marshall, MN with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance with a Corporate Finance concentration. She received her CPA certification from the Minnesota Board of Accountancy in 2017. Her focus area is governmental auditing. Brenda is a member of the AICPA and the MNCPA. She is an active volunteer for the United Way of West Central Minnesota. She is a member of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce’s neXt organization.
Mitchell Erickson, CPA, was recently promoted to Senior Accountant. He joined CDS in 2016 as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office. Mitchell graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He received his CPA certification from the Minnesota Board of Accountancy in 2017. His focus areas are tax preparation, multi-state tax, and bookkeeping.
Mitchell is a member of the CDS Tax and IT Committees. He is a member of the AICPA, the MNCPA, and the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce’s neXt organization. He is a 2018 graduate of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Perspectives program.
MEET OUR NEWEST CPA
Mackenzie Dokkebakken has earned her CPA certification. She joined CDS in 2016 as a Staff Accountant in our Benson office. Mackenzie graduated from Concordia College Offutt School of Business in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. Her focus areas are tax preparation and bookkeeping. She is also a member of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce’s neXt organization.
NEW DESIGNATIONS
Brady Koehl, CPA, recently completed and passed the QuickBooks Certification coursework and exam to become a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. He joined CDS in 2016 as a Staff Accountant in our Morris office. Brady graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, with minors in Agribusiness Management and Economics. Brady received his CPA certification from the Minnesota Board of Accountancy in 2017. His focus areas are tax preparation, bookkeeping, and agribusiness. Brady is a member of the AICPA, the MNCPA, and volunteers with Stevens County Pheasants Forever. He is a 2018 graduate of the
Leadership Stevens County program.
NEW HIRES
Shawn Hanson joined CDS as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office. He graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. His focus area is
governmental auditing. Shawn is a member of the Willmar Lakes Area
Chamber of Commerce’s neXt organization.
Mary Brouwer joined CDS as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office. She was an intern for CDS in 2017. Mary graduated from Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Accounting and Business Administration, with a focus on Finance, and a minor in Economics. Her focus areas are tax preparation and bookkeeping.
Mary is a member of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce’s neXt organization.
Marisa Winters joined CDS as a Staff Accountant in our Willmar office. She graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and
Finance. Her focus area is governmental auditing. Marisa is an active
volunteer with the American Red Cross. Marisa is a member of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce’s neXt organization.
Nicholle Peterson joined CDS Administrative Services, LLC (CDSA) as an Employee Benefits Administrator in our Willmar office. Prior to CDSA, she worked in client service and as an office manager for over twenty years. Her focus areas are the administration of Retirement Plans, Flex Plans, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).
