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Meet the team
Meet our number-loving Extraordinaires

"Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens"
- Jimi Hendrix

Education

  • Graduated from Hiawatha High School
  • Bachelor of Science in Accounting from AIB School of Business
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from AIB School of Business

Certifications

  • Quickbooks Pro Advisor (Online and Desktop)
  • Certified Public Accountant

Volunteer Positions

  • Former Trustee, Morrill Public Library
  • Former Treasurer, Mount Hope Cemetery
  • Former Treasurer, Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce
  • Former Treasurer, hiawatha community hospital association
  • Former board member, Hiawatha foundation for economic development

Jake is a native of Northeast Kansas and has worked in public accounting in the area for the past eleven years. He graduated with his B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration from AIB School of Business.

Jake enjoys having roles in his community from Treasurer to Board Member throughout the community. Outside of working Jake and his husband, Matt enjoy spending time with their daughters Kiara and Randee. His family enjoys get-a-ways and short trips to Matt’s farm. He enjoys trying new food and experiences, running, and cats (dogs occasionally).

“I love helping small businesses grow by assessing their businesses financials easing some of the financial stress accounting has on them.”

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Nanette Hinchey
cpa / TAX MANAGER

Nanette graduated from Missouri Western State University with Honors. She worked as a sole practitioner CPA in North Kansas City for many years. She opened her own CPA Firm where she has maintained and grew client relationships that she has brought to the Wisdom CPAS Firm.

Nanette grew up in Topeka, Kansas and now lives in Kearney, Missouri with her partner and their Miniature Schnauzer. She has two children and one son-in-law as well as two grandchildren. She prioritizes time with her family and friends and loves being outside for a family pool day or a beach party!

“I love the feeling of making a difference. Taxes can be complicating and stressful for business owners so having a trusted advisor, like myself, helps relieve some of that stress.”

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Christel tebartz
cpa / FINANCIAL MANAGER / SENIOR TAX ACCOUNTANT

Christel earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University and a B.S. in Management with emphasis on Accounting from Park University, formerly Park College. Christel discovered her enjoyment for accounting by accident. While working in a small business environment, she was assigned to the accounting duties out of necessity. To her surprise, Christel looked forward to the portion of the day that covered the pending accounting tasks. As a result, she decided to go back to school to earn her accounting degree and then took the CPA examination.

Christel likes to volunteer in the community. For relaxation, she and her dog, Misty-Grace, enjoy walks in the park or quiet evenings at home.

“I like variety, no day is the same.”

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Cheryl Meditz
cpa / SENIOR TAX ACCOUNTANT

Cheryl graduated from St. Mary’s college in Leavenworth with her B.S. in Accounting and she graduated from UMKC with her M.S. in Accounting with a Tax Emphasis.

Cheryl currently resides in Kansas City, Kansas with her 6 cats Lucy, Chessie, Feister, Frankie, Maggie and Oscar. When Cheryl isn’t working you can find her outside in her butterfly garden or spending time with her son, Ehren.

“It’s a challenging and rewarding career that allows me to connect with people from all walks of life.”

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SHEILA SABILLO
cpa / SENIOR TAX ACCOUNTANT

Sheila graduated from the University of Alaska Southeast with a B.S. in Accounting. She worked for a CPA firm in Lake Havasu City, Arizona for five years, and in Kodiak, Alaska prior to that, before joining the Wisdom team.

Sheila grew up in the Philippines and now resides in Homer, Alaska with her husband, Andon, and their three children, Reace, Sage, and Eliana. She supports her kids in all their activities including Boy Scouts, hockey, school clubs, karate, bowling, etc. Her family loves traveling, camping, hiking, fishing, watching movies, and playing video games.

“I enjoy helping business owners so they can focus on what they do. I find great joy in finishing a complicated tax return or cleaning up a set of messy books.”

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carrie potter
SENIOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT / STAFF TAX ACCOUNTANT

Carrie and her husband, Bryan, met at Kansas State University, where she graduated with degrees in Bakery Science Management and Food Science. Through the years, various opportunities have brought her to bookkeeping and to us.

She grew up in Chanute, in the Southeastern corner of the state. Carrie and Bryan have made their home in Hiawatha since 2001, with their three sons: Tannim, Jonas, and Beckett. She enjoys making, sharing, and eating foods of all kinds; creating fabric crafts; watching bad movies and great television; and trying to keep one step ahead of her family.

“I enjoy putting together the pieces that result in concise, accurate financials or tax returns. It is like solving a puzzle!”

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rachel kent
SENIOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT

Rachel has an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Management from Highland Community College. Her free time consists of helping in her tribal community with various projects in which she has collaborated with many agencies.

Rachel grew up in the rural Northeastern town of White Cloud, Kansas and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Reservation. Her and her husband, Bennie, are raising their three children: Tayler, Aubrey, and Aaron. Most importantly she is her children’s biggest fan and loves watching them in anything and everything they do!

“I find enjoyment in finding genuine clients and learning about their unique businesses.”

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judy palmateer
FIRM ADMINISTRATOR / STAFF PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT

Judy has many years of experience in Payroll and Accounting prior to joining the Wisdom Team.

Judy and her husband, Brian, enjoy small town living in the Everest community. When she isn’t in the office she enjoys spending time with her 4 daughters Anita, Erica, McKenzie & Tara, 3 grandchildren, crocheting, cooking and crafting.

“I enjoy working with our clients, assisting with their payroll needs and helping to resolve any issues that may arise.”

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Jess coonce
office manager

Jess has previous years of experience in Office Management, Case Management and Assistant Management.

Jess is from a small town in Nebraska where she resides with her husband, Kyle, and their four children, Jackson, Jarred, Grace and Emma. When she isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her family which includes summer Softball, trips to the pool and many nights of cooking out. Jess and her family love animals and have some of their own, two Black labs Lego and RIP, and a Siamese Cat named Kix.

“I enjoy getting to know clients and helping them in any way that I can which helps me better understand different elements of the Accounting world.”

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colton mcmullen
STAFF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT

Colton began his internship with Wisdom CPAs and grew into his position as one of our current Staff Financial Accountants. He has attended Highland Community College where he earned his Associates degree and General Studies. He is currently attending K-State University.

Colton lives in Hiawatha with his parents and 4 siblings. When he is not working he enjoys watching TV, playing videogames and reading.

“I like getting to learn about various businesses in different industries and how they operate.”

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ASHLEY KIRKPATRICK
staff financial accountant / staff payroll accountant

Ashley graduated from Southeast Community College with an Associates in Accounting and Business. She has a background in Payroll and Accounts Payable.

Ashley grew up in Rulo Nebraska and went to school in Falls City, Nebraska. When she isn’t crunching numbers, she has a 12 year old daughter, Kaytlin, who enjoys playing all kinds of sports from Softball, Basketball, volleyball, Track and Tae kwon Do. Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and her German Shephard, Rhea.

"I don't exercise but I do crunch numbers"

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LISA WHITCRAFT
SENIOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT / STAFF TAX ACCOUNTANT

COMING SOON!

Greg Wilga
STAFF TAX ACCOUNTANT

Greg has a background in Bookkeeping and Accounting. He works with us during Tax season and a Preparer. Greg is from Detroit, Michigan and relocated to the Hiawatha area.

Jill Sprick
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Jill is from the Hiawatha area where she served the Hiawatha Board office in the payroll department. She helps our Office Manager during Tax season with all the incoming documents to make things as smooth as possible.