24th Annual Catawba Valley Accounting and Management Conference
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Catawba Valley Community College and Technical Institute
Workforce Solutions Complex
2550 US Hwy 70 SE | Hickory, NC 28602
828.327.7000
Sponsored by: Catawba Valley Chapter IMA
8 Continuing Professional Education Credits
(**Including 2 Hours of qualifying Behavioral Ethics)
Conference Location Directions:
From I-40, traveling West toward Asheville, take exit 126 toward US 70/East toward McDonald Parkway. Turn left at the light at the top of the exit ramp. Go to the third light and turn left onto US 70. The destination will be on the right at the next stoplight.
From I-40, traveling East toward Statesville, take exit 126 toward US 70 toward McDonald Parkway. Turn right at the light at the top of the exit ramp. Go to the second light and turn left onto US 70. The destination will be on the right at the next stoplight.
Conference Registration Information:
Registration check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. and the first seminar begins at 8:30 a.m. The last session will end just before 5:00 p.m. Course fees are payable in advance.
All reservations must be received by Monday, October 20, 2025, by registering:
- ONLINE @: Chapter Events - Catawba Valley Chapter
- VIA EMAIL: by emailing Kim Gales at catawbavalleyima@gmail.com.
- VIA MAIL: IMA Catawba Valley
P.O. Box 2132
Hickory, NC 28603
Registration fees include continental breakfast, refreshment breaks, lunch, and course materials.
**Registration will be available at the door provided space is available and lunch may not be included.
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: Study Materials for Session 3 only.
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group-live
***Registration/Coffee/Continental Breakfast***
8:00 am -8:30 am
Morning Session 8:30 am-10:10 am
(CPE Credit: 2 Hours in Information Technology)
Martin Brossman presents: “AI in Action: Practical Prompting for Work and Everyday Problem Solving-AI for Professionals Series: Mastering the Art of Prompt Engineering for Real-World Results”
This 105-minute interactive workshop is the follow-up to “AI Foundations: Understanding and Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life.” It focuses on advancing your ability to use AI Chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini effectively and responsibly through practical prompt engineering. Participants will explore real-world, professional use cases—such as research, writing, communication, analysis, planning, and time management—by developing clear, context-aware, goal-oriented prompts. You’ll be guided step-by-step in transforming vague questions into powerful prompts that produce valuable, safe, and actionable results. Learn how to use techniques like Chain-of-Thought prompting, role-based prompting, and iterative refinement to improve output quality. Bring your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to engage in real-time exercises designed to enhance your confidence in using AI tools at work and in life.
- Apply prompt engineering strategies to get better, more accurate results from AI Chatbots.
- Use Chain-of-Thought, Deep Research, Think longer, and role-based prompting techniques to generate higher-quality responses.
- Adapt prompts to specific workplace or personal tasks (e.g., summarizing emails, generating outlines, writing reports).
- Identify and correct common prompt mistakes to reduce hallucinations and irrelevant answers.
- Practice refining responses through iteration and feedback with the AI tool.
- Develop effective AI workflows for everyday tasks—budgeting, content creation, meeting preparation, and more.
Martin Brossman
Martin Brossman grew up in Washington DC, where he learned a lot about human behavior in his early retail experience with Radio Shack. His aptitude for sales and interest in new technologies sparked his success in management and evolved into marketing and computer engineering. During 7 years as a “Customer Engineer” for IBM he was awarded the prestigious IBM Means Service Award. After much reflection, he lau
nched out on his own with Martin Brossman & Associates LLC. and is now a top trainer on business topics, including podcasting, AI, and Cryptocurrency. His certificate course at NC State,
Social Media Management and Marketing, is highly popular, with over 450 professionals completing this program over the past 8 years. Martin now has 30+ years of experience, a collective social media following of 10,000, and regularly posts valuable information on YouTube channels. He holds a B.A. degree in Math & Computer Science from St. Andrews University.
Morning Session 10:25 am-12:05pm
(CPE Credit: 2 Hours in Information Technology)
Bill Baker presents: “Data Analytics featuring Goal Programming”
After reviewing optimization models using linear programming, we will expand to goal programming. Goal programming at a basic level helps a company balance the relative importance of its myriad objectives. At a detailed level, goal programming even determines how to deploy resources efficiently and effectively to achieve those objectives.
- Explain linear programming
- Construct linear programming models
- Describe goal programming
- Identify basic variables
- Distinguish between decision variables and deviational variables
- Constructing goal programming models
- Evaluate models and (as time permits) discuss modeling in context with AI.
Bill Baker
A CMA and long-time member of the Catawba Valley Chapter, Dr Baker has taught accounting and data analytics for 44 years. His research has been published by the IMA ten different times; his IMA research awards include the IMA Lybrand Silver Medal, the IMA Lybrand Bronze Medal, and four Certificates of Merit. He taught CMA Review courses for the Catawba Valley Chapter for nine years, and he has made numerous technical presentations for IMA Chapters. He received his doctorate with a major in accounting and minors in management science and statistics from Virginia Tech. Dr Baker is an ASU Board of Governors Teacher of Excellence, and in 2018, was named Professor Emeritus by Appalachian State University. Currently, he is the Charles A Dana Chaired Professor of Accounting in the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte.
***Lunch 12:05 pm – 1:00 pm***
Afternoon Session 1:00 pm – 2:40 pm
(CPE Credit: 2 Hours in Behavioral Ethics)
Amy Hawn Presents: “Navigating Ethics in a Digital World”
The goal of this workshop is to raise awareness of ethical considerations caused by the rapid technological advancements of the digital age so accounting and finance professionals can maintain the standards set out in the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice and use its framework to make good, ethical judgements.
- Define the purpose of select emerging technologies as applied in accounting and finance.
- Identify examples of ethical challenges posed by the implementation of emerging technologies in accounting and finance.
- Describe how risks associated with emerging technologies relate to the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice.
- Explain the ethical considerations needed to govern and manage data.
- Recognize how these ethical implications have created a need for upskilling across the accounting and finance profession.
Amy J Hawn, MBA, CPA
Amy Hawn is a passionate and positive business leader dedicated to fostering success for both her company and its team members. With over 25 years of comprehensive management, leadership, and analytical experience—two decades of which have been as a practicing CPA—she is a driven professional with an MBA. Known for her enthusiastic problem-solving skills, Amy thrives on understanding the nuances of who, what, when, why, and how in every challenge she encounters.
With a deep commitment to employee development, she actively encourages training and education for personnel at all levels. Her positive attitude and healthy sense of humor contribute to a collaborative and supportive work environment. As a lifelong learner and organized problem solver, Amy embodies a true team spirit.
Amy's career includes a formative internship at Walt Disney World, followed by a decade in hospitality management before she earned her CPA in 2002, earning the title of "the world’s most entertaining accountant." She also spent 3 years teaching hospitality management courses at East Carolina University, covering essential topics like cost control, ethics, and purchasing.
Her extensive experience includes 12 years at Shurtape, 2 years with Outdura’s Austrian Hudson Plant, and 7 years at HSM, where she has held various roles such as Controller, Senior Operations Analyst, Accounting Director, Tax Manager, Director of FP&A, and CFO.
A strong advocate for community involvement, Amy serves as the Chairman of the Annual United Way Campaign for Shurtape, is a member of the Leadership Catawba Class of 2018, and is a previous Board Member for the Corner Table.
Afternoon Session 3:00 pm – 4:40 pm
(CPE Credit: 2 Hours in Personal Development)
Dana Gower Presents: “The Shifting Landscape of Finance, Work and AI”
In Part I: The Current State of U.S. Economics & Finance, Dana, who has over 20 years of investment and retirement planning experience, and has also run a hedge-type fund, will break down today’s economic landscape, key financial indicators, and historical insights that inform future-ready decision-making for finance professionals.
- Analyze current economic conditions through the lens of an investment strategist.
- Interpret key indicators like interest rates, inflation, and employment in real-world terms.
- Learn how to distinguish fact from fiction in economic news and guard against media "spin".
- Evaluate historical economic patterns to understand their predictive value (if any).
- Apply economic insights to activities such as capital planning, risk management, and long-range forecasting.
In Part II: The Impact of AI & Automation on the Workforce, we’ll explore how AI and Robotics is or will be transforming every level of the workforce—from front-line roles to executive decision-making—and what financial leaders must do to adapt, lead, and thrive. Dana draws upon his current work in careers, recruitment and over 15 years of workforce planning experience for a Fortune 500.
- Explore how AI and automation are transforming every area of business.
- Assess the financial, operational and human impacts of workforce disruption.
- Learn why workforce planning, talent assessment and development models are outdated.
- Identify next-generation tools and frameworks under development for improving talent management systems.
- Develop finance-led strategies for helping organizations deal with AI challenges and opportunities.
Dana Gower MBA CCP® - Business, Talent and Wealth Strategist - Author & Speaker
Dana Gower has advanced expertise in two areas: Investments and Careers. Growing up in a New England town, Dana learned about business and the human aspect of working at his family's small global manufacturing company, followed by over 15 years with Fortune 500 Cooper Industries, which was later acquired by Eaton Corp. His tenure included HR/Pensions/Benefits work. Following a downsizing, Dana re-careered into financial planning, winning numerous accolades for his work. He's ran a foreign exchange fund and served as a highly regarded career and financial advisor for 20+ years. He is co-author of the books BOOMERNOMICS and CAREERING (Amazon) plus enrolled in a Certified Cryptocurrency Expert (CCE) program through Blockchain Council. Dana holds an A.S. in economics and a B.S./M.B.A. in finance from the University of Maine and Rollins College in FL. Altogether, Dana has around 40 years of diversified business and individual client experience.