Shonsey, Placke, Maruska, Stava & Meier, P.C.

Meet Our Staff:

Matthew E. Shonsey, CPA, Cindy Sheffield
Steven K. Placke, CPA, Lori Spintig
Jodi L. Maruska, CPA Rogene K. Packer
Shane L. Stava, CPA, Russell D. Ropte
Terry L. Meier, CPA. Chuck Benal
Steven C. Groeteke, CPA. Judith A. Eversoll
Justin T. Newland, CPA  
Jennifer L. Kaspar, CPA  

 


Matthew E Shonsey, C.P.A.Matthew E. Shonsey, CPA, corporate shareholder since 1980, was elected managing partner of the firm in May, 1987.  In this position, Matt is responsible for the overall direction and management of the firm.  He joined the firm in 1980 with extensive experience in taxation.  Matt graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 1971 and took graduate work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in accounting.  He served four years as a revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service in Omaha, and he has since been practicing public accounting in Grand Island.  Areas of special expertise include tax planning for individuals, corporations, partnerships, LLC's, trusts and estates.  Areas of specialized expertise include estate and gift planning, medical practice consulting, agricultural tax, merger and acquisition consulting, franchising, and IRS audit representation He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Island Community Foundation.  He served as Co-Chair person of the Major Gifts Committee for the Heartland Events Center and the Collage Park Campaigns..  He and his wife Kathy Co-Chaired the 2005/2006 Heartland United Way Campaign.  Matt is a former Board of Trustees Member and Chairman of the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, former treasurer and board member of College Park of Grand Island, former treasurer and board member of the Grand Island Economic Development Corporation Board of Trustees, and Community Council Member of CHAD.  He is a member of Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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Steven K Placke, C.P.ASteve PlackeSteven K. Placke, CPA, corporate shareholder, graduated magna cum laude with high distinction from Hastings College in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration/accounting. A native of Hastings, Nebraska, he joined the firm in June, 1985, and was promoted to corporate shareholder in July, 1996. Steve has experience in accounting, tax, and auditing in Central Nebraska. Accounting and auditing experience includes banking, agricultural businesses, livestock, healthcare, auto dealerships, not-for-profit organizations, and retail trade. Tax experience includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, tax and estate planning, and consulting. He is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.







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Terry L Meier, C.P.A.Terry MeierTerry L. Meier, CPA, corporate shareholder, earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1979. He has over 24 years of experience in public and private accounting. A Grand Island native, Terry joined the firm in August, 1984, and was promoted to Principal in 1991.  He is a member of the firm's Accounting and Auditing Department. Terry is responsible for accounting, auditing and business consulting services for both large and small businesses in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, nursing homes, banking, not-for-profit organizations, retail trade, and agricultural businesses. Terry is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.







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Jodi Maruska, C.P.A.Jodi L. Maruska, CPAcorporate shareholder, graduated in December, 1991, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln earning a bachelor of science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. A Wood River native, Jodi joined the firm in January, 1992.   She was most recently promoted to Principal in 2003. Jodi is a member of the firm's tax department.  Responsibilities include preparation of individual and business tax returns, tax research, and tax planning.  She is also responsible for accounting and auditing services in the areas of nursing homes, nonprofit organizations, car dealerships, and employee benefit plans. She is a member of the Grand Island Luncheon Business and Professional Women’s Club, American Institute of CPAs, and Nebraska Society of CPAs.  She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Humanitarian Resource Center.







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Shane StavaShane StavaShane L. Stava, CPA, corporate shareholder, joined the firm in January, 1997. After graduating from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration, he worked as a staff accountant for APAC, Inc. of Kansas City.  Shane’s industry experience includes banking, dentist, physicians, nursing homes, agricultural businesses, manufacturing, not-for-profit organizations, and construction contractors. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the 1999 and 2000 United Way Campaign Cabinet and is a 2000 graduate of the Leadership Tomorrow Program.  Shane is a native of Grand Island.







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Steven C GroetekeSteven GroetekeSteven C. Groeteke, CPA, CVA, principal, joined the firm in 1994. Steve graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration with emphases in accounting and agriculture. A native of Nebraska, Steve and his family lived in Colorado for 10 years where he attended Colorado State University, at Fort Collins, Colorado, and obtained a Master of Science degree in accounting and taxation. While in Colorado, Steve worked for a law firm which specialized in tax cases and corporate reorganizations, and for regional C.P.A. firms serving as a tax manager. He has authored tax update seminars for fellow C.P.A.’s and the general public. In 1996, Steve earned the Certified Valuation Analyst certificate and became a member of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analyst (NACVA). Responsibilities include tax research, staff training, IRS audits and appeals, litigation support services, valuations, preparation of estate tax returns, and tax planning for all types of entities. Steve has served on the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation’s Business Contact Group, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.


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Justin Newland, C.P.A.Justin NewlandJustin T. Newland, CPA, Senior Manager, joined the firm in September, 1995, and was promoted to Manager in July, 2003. Justin graduated in May, 1994, from Hastings College earning a bachelor of arts degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. A native of Ravenna and resident of Grand Island.   Justin’s industry experience includes banking, manufacturing, nursing homes, agricultural businesses, construction contractors, state and local governmental agencies and not-for-profit organizations. Justin is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.







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Cindy SheffieldCindy Sheffield , Senior Accountant, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 1977 earning a bachelor of science degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting. Originally from Holdrege, Nebraska, Cindy joined the firm in November, 1981. Cindy’s experience includes medical personal service corporations, hotel/motel operations, and farm supply stores.  Her responsibilities include financial statements, corporate and individual income tax, bookkeeping services, payroll and employment taxes.









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Lori SpintigLori SpintigLori Spintig, Senior Accountant, graduated May, 1981, from Hastings College earning a bachelor of arts degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting. Originally from Hastings, Lori joined Shonsey & Associates in December, 1983. Lori was promoted to staff accountant in July, 1985, and then to Senior Accountant in July, 1990. Lori’s tax and accounting experience include individual, partnership, and corporate income tax, nursing homes, retail trade, franchise accounting, professional corporation, and small business bookkeeping and tax services.








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Rogene PackerRogene PackerRogene K. Packer joined the firm in 1992 as a Staff Accountant. She was promoted to Senior Accountant in July, 1994. Prior to joining the firm, she worked for nine years with another local CPA firm. Rogene graduated from Central Nebraska Community College in 1975 with a two-year degree in accounting. Rogene’s areas of expertise include all client services for medical personal service corporations, small business bookkeeping and tax including QuickBooks 2003, livestock, agricultural businesses, retail/wholesale trade, and restaurants.









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Russell D. RopteRussell D. Ropte joined the firm in 2003 as a Senior Accountant.  A native of Madison, Nebraska, Russ graduated from Wayne State College earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.  Russ has 35 years of experience in corporate accounting, business management and tax preparation for individuals and businesses.  Russ worked as controller for a commercial feedlot and ranching operation for 21 years prior to joining the firm.  He served as chairman of Grand Island Chamber's Ag Council and Grand Island Optimist Club.  Russ is active in numerous committees and organizations at Trinity Lutheran Church.







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Jennifer L. KasparJennifer L. Kaspar, CPA, Supervisor, joined the firm in 2004 as a Staff Accountant.  Jennifer graduated Cum Laude from the University of Nebraska at Kearney earning a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree with a Mathematics Endorsement.  Industry experience includes cities and villages, agricultural businesses, banking, not-for-profit organizations, small business bookkeeping and tax, state and local governmental agencies, nursing homes, personal financial statements, school districts.  Jennifer is a graduate of the GI Chamber of Commerce Leadership Tomorrow Class of 2006.  She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.  Jennifer is a native of Burwell and now resides in Grand Island.







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Dennis FiersteinChuck Benal, Staff Accountant, graduated from the University of Nebraska - Kearney in July, 2006, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in accounting.  He earned an Associates Degree in Automotive Technology from Central Community College, June, 1991,, in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Originally from Colon, Nebraska, Chuck joined the firm in January, 2008.  His experience includes auditing, corporate and personal tax preparation, and payroll reports.








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Judy EversollJudy EversollJudith A. Eversoll has responsibility for daily operations of the firm: carrying out policies and decisions made by firm management, implementing administrative procedures, management of the firm’s facilities, personnel issues, continuing professional education and business insurances. She is responsible for planning and implementing firm promotion and development. Judy’s responsibilities as Employee Benefits Coordinator are the installation, communication and administration of Section 125 Employee Benefit Plans, Premium Only Plans and retirement plans for employers. A native of Chapman and resident of Grand Island, Judy began with the firm in September, 1979, as business manager.







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