21st Annual Catawba Valley Accounting and Management Conference
Wednesday, December 13th, 2023
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 4 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 Friday, December 8, 2023 by registering:
- ONLINE @: Chapter Events - Catawba Valley Chapter
- VIA EMAIL: by emailing Ron Nicholson or 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.
Group rates available at Hilton Garden Inn in Hickory, NC. Book your stay here.
The last day to get group rate is November 28, 2023.
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: Download Study Materials for Session 3 Only.
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group-live
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CPE Information
The Catawba Valley IMA is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors via its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. This program meets the ICMA guidelines for CPE credits for CMAs and CFMs.
***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 and Dana Gower presents:
“Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and the 4th Industrial Revolution- Are YOU Ready?”
AI and ML tools and methodologies are rapidly changing the world, and professionals in all fields need to be acutely aware of the forthcoming opportunities, limitations, and impact of these innovations in the business world, on our jobs, and in our daily lives. You will learn what advances, such as “Large Language Models (e.g. ChatGPT & Google Bard), Augmented Reality, AI Images and Video, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Neural Networks, Virtual Reality, Robotics, Predictive Analytics, Deep Learning, and Computer Vision,” are really all about. We also discuss how AI is expected to affect national GDPs, finances, jobs, and the future of work. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of AI and ways to prepare for changes coming. Note: You do not need to know any programming for this course.
Morning Session 10:25 am-12:05pm
(CPE Credit: 2 Hours in Behavioral Ethics)
IRS Criminal Division Presents:
"Criminal Investigations"
This presentation will provide an overview of the IRS-Criminal Investigation unit and provide insights into this profession. Special agents will use a diverse array of case studies to show how Accounting is used to detect tax evasion and fraud.
• Understand the duties and responsibilities of the IRS Criminal Investigation unit.
• Learn how Accounting is used to detect tax evasion and fraud schemes.
• Hear actual cases involving tax evasion and fraud.
• Explore investigative steps taken to uncover and prosecute tax crimes.
• Understand the penalties associated with tax fraud.
***Lunch 12:05 pm – 1:00 pm***
Afternoon Session 1:00 pm – 2:40 pm
(CPE Credit: 2 Hours in Behavioral Ethics)
Royallen Wiley Presents:
"Mission Impossible: When Benchmarks Undermine Ethics"
After this session, you will be able to:
- Identify elements of the fraud triangle and explain how to overcome them.
- Define short-termism and describe how to avoid it.
- Apply the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice to various real-world ethical dilemmas.
- Evaluate potential courses of action and their possible consequences when seeking to resolve an ethical dilemma.
- Summarize how to build an ethical culture.
Afternoon Session 3:00 pm – 4:40 pm
(CPE Credit: 2 Hours in Personal Development)
Peter Agiovlassitis Presents:
“Bridge the Gap: Unlocking the Power of Collaboration Between the Generations”
This program will provide participants with an understanding of the
generational differences in the workplace and offer strategies for effectively managing and working with employees from across generations.
In this evolving world characterized by advancements in technology, social change, and diverse perspectives, the power of collaboration has never been more crucial. This keynote explores the qualities and skills that future leaders must possess to inspire, motivate, and unite diverse teams.
Guest Speaker Biographies
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 seven years as a “Customer Engineer” for IBM, he was awarded the prestigious IBM Means Service Award. After much reflection, he launched 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 eight years. Martin now has 30+ years 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.
Dana Gower MBA CCP® - Business, Talent and Wealth Strategist - Author and 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 run a foreign exchange fund and served as a highly- regarded career and financial advisor for 20+ years. He is a 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.
Nicholas J. Pompei, Special Agent - IRS Criminal Investigations
Nicholas began his 23- year career with IRS-CI in July 2000 and worked 14 of those years in the Baileys Crossroads, VA post of duty. In Virginia SA Pompei investigated a variety of both tax and money laundering cases. SA Pompei was involved with an Immigration Fraud Task Force, Financial Crimes Task Force, and was assigned to a HIDTA Task Force. Special Agent Pompei became a Supervisory Special Agent in January 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. and supervised agents in both Charlotte and Asheville, N.C. In 2017, Special Agent Pompei returned to his role as a case working agent and has continued to work both tax and money laundering investigations, with an emphasis in Health Care Fraud. Special Agent Pompei is also the Financial Crimes Task Force Coordinator for the Western District of North Carolina and participates in monthly meetings with the local United States Attorney’s Office as well as participating federal, state, and local law enforcement.
Nicholas received his undergraduate degree in Business from West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.V. and his Master’s in Business Administration from C.W. Post, New York.
Rajender J. West, Special Agent - IRS Criminal Investigations
Rajender J. West began his career as a Special Agent with IRS Criminal Investigation in June 2003, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Special Agent West has conducted or participated in numerous investigations, involving violations of income tax law, money laundering, and violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. Specifically, Special Agent West has conducted Completed investigations involving tax fraud, embezzlement, illegal distribution of controlled substances, loan fraud, securities fraud, investment fraud, campaign finance, public/political corruption, and money laundering.
Special Agent West has participated as an instructor with U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training on three occasions, delivering training to professionals in Qatar, Dubai, U.A.E., and Nepal, regarding financial investigation techniques and money laundering.
Josh Bollinger, Special Agent - IRS Criminal Investigation
Josh Bollinger is a Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division in Charlotte, North Carolina. He began his career as a special agent in 2020.
Josh graduated from Appalachian State University in 2016 with an undergraduate degree and in 2017 with a master’s degree, both in accounting. He worked at CohnReznick in audit from 2017 until 2020.
Summer Norton, Special Agent - IRS Criminal Investigation
Summer Norton is a Special Agent with Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI). Special Agent Norton has an undergraduate degree in accounting and worked as an internal auditor prior to beginning her career with IRS:CI in 2019. She has experience working complex investigations involving tax crimes, money laundering, and various other types of fraud.
Nick Dohy, Special Agent - IRS Criminal Investigation
Nick Dohy is a special agent with IRS-Criminal Investigation, based in Charlotte, NC, and has been in this role since 2012. Prior to joining IRS-CI, Nick worked for three years as a Revenue Agent with the IRS, Examination Division. Nick’s case work as a special agent has included traditional tax fraud, refund fraud, embezzlement, narcotics, and money laundering. He currently serves as a Task Force Officer with the Joint Terrorism Task Force at FBI-Charlotte, as well as a SAR Review Team Coordinator for the Western District of North Carolina, and an “On the Job Instructor” for newer agents in Charlotte. Prior to these roles, Nick served as the Fugitive Coordinator for the Charlotte Field Office for several years.
Royallen Wiley, MBA, CMA
Royallen Wiley has extensive experience in progressively more responsible positions in Finance and Accounting for Fortune 500 companies. Among others, he has worked for Domtar, Sea-Land Corporation, Clariant Corporation and BASF.He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Northern Kentucky University. His MBA is from Queens University in Charlotte where he was named a Blumenthal Fellow. He is a Certified Management Accountant. He served two consecutive terms on the ICMA Board of Regents and currently is a member of the CMA Exam Review Committee. Royallen is a past president of the Charlotte IMA Chapter and has also served on various IMA national committees.In 2003, Royallen was named “Financial Executive of the Year” by the IMA Carolinas Council. Royallen was named Charlotte Chapter IMA Member of the Year in 2009, 2014 and 2015. He was a Finalist for the 2013 Charlotte Business Journal CFO of the Year Award.Royallen is active in the Carolina’s international community. He served a five-year term as President of the Carolinas World Trade Association and currently is a board member. While at Domtar, Royallen took an ex-patriate assignment serving as Head of Finance for a startup operation in Guangzhou, PRC for a year and a half and he remains well connected with the Chinese community in the Carolinas. He devotes a lot of time these days in assisting an Afghan refugee family in Charlotte.Royallen and his wife Cynthia, have a thriving real estate business working for Coldwell Banker in the Charlotte Metro area. Royallen does consulting work for the Pulp and Paper industry and does angel investing holding minor stakes in Hylaine, LLC (Charlotte based) and Dart Innovation LLC (Raleigh based).
Peter Agiovlassitis
Peter is a veteran advertising media buyer possessing experience with Fortune 500 brands and has negotiated over $1 billion with TV, radio, and print networks. Peter opened Peter A Speaks in 2022 and currently goes on the road giving keynotes and running workshops to groups, associations, and corporations. Peter is in his third year serving on the Board of the National Speakers Association, Carolinas Chapter, where he received the “Rising Star Award.” He is also the newest Board member of the charitable Gilliland Foundation.