Get to Know Our Team Members
Over the last 45 years, Schlenner Wenner & Co. has grown from one owner and one assistant to the present size of 11 partners; 42 professional staff, Including 30 CPA's; and 9 support and administrative personnel. Our growth has been carefully planned and is expected to continue at a controlled rate in the future.
Get to know our employees a little better by viewing their information below.
Partners
James A. Schlenner,
CPA, ABV, CVA, CFP
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James A. Schlenner, CPA, ABV, CVA, CFP It's hard to believe that an aptitude for numbers discovered during a high school bookkeeping class could turn into a long and rewarding career in accounting. But that's how it happened for partner Jim Schlenner. For Jim, making a client's business operate more efficiently and profitably requires more than correct numbers on a financial statement or a tax form. Jim believes that service starts by understanding the clients' needs and educating them on what it will take to meet those needs. That is how the Firm gives clients more than they expect. Jim lives out his dedication to service at home through community involvement in many local organizations including the St. Cloud Development Corporation, the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce, and United Way.
Professional History
Education
Professional Affiliations
Community Involvement
Concentrations
Specific Industries
Contact Information
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Michael J. Wenner,
CPA
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Michael J. Wenner, CPA From a lifelong respect of the business world and over thirty years of experience as a public accountant, partner Mike Wenner has learned to appreciate the challenges he encounters while in the trenches of the accounting business. He sees these as opportunities for improvement and knows he won’t face them alone. The staff and clients at Schlenner Wenner & Co. are like second family to Mike and he treats all of them the way he knows family should be treated, with respect and understanding. His personal relationship with clients means Mike goes beyond the numbers to provide personal understanding and assurance that clients will make the most of their business.
Professional History
Education
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Community Involvement
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Specific Industries
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Robert V. Hengel,
CPA
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Robert V. Hengel, CPA Partner Bob Hengel may have been born to work with numbers. Finding his niche in a high school accounting class, Bob followed his father’s lead and became an accountant. But for Bob, numbers only tell part of the story for the people he serves. Because the Firm is locally owned with the resources of larger national and international firms, Bob believes that clients appreciate how Schlenner Wenner & Co. serves each client with a select team of professionals. Clients know the members of their team as well as the partner of the Firm who is responsible for achieving their common goal: timely, confidential, and professional service on the client’s account. Like the rest of the team at Schlenner Wenner & Co., Bob anticipates and understands his clients’ needs to provide solutions that are usually found by looking beyond the numbers.
Professional History
Education
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Community Involvement
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Specific Industries
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Steven J. Schueller,
CPA
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Steven J. Schueller, CPA Steve Schueller, partner, doesn’t believe in getting hung up on the numbers. He likes going behind numerical calculations to discover how to make a business financially successful while paying the least amount of taxes possible. Helping businesses succeed takes a concerted effort and an environment that makes everyone want to contribute. According to Steve, “Schlenner Wenner & Co. has a hard work attitude, and we don’t take our success lightly.” He believes that being a member of the Schlenner Wenner & Co. team requires that individuals put aside personal goals and accomplishments in favor of the team’s goals and accomplishments, namely; to understand their clients’ needs and deliver accordingly.
Professional History
Education
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Community Involvement
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Specific Industries
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Molly M. Thompson,
CPA
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Molly M. Thompson, CPA While working for her family's business, partner Molly Thompson learned at an early age the importance of putting customers first. Committed to helping any way she can, Molly provides clients more than accounting and audit guidance. She brings in-depth knowledge and over 15 years of public accounting experience to deliver above and beyond what is expected from an accountant. Today, she values working with her professional family because they work together to serve their customers. Molly also focuses on community service, which is another important aspect of being on the Schlenner Wenner & Co. team. Molly volunteers with many central MN organizations.
Professional History
Education
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Community Involvement
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Specific Industries
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Alan L. Garber,
CPA
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Alan L. Garber, CPA After over 25 years as a public accountant, what partner Al Garber enjoys most about his job is developing personal relationships with his clients. More specifically, he offers business owners guidance on maintaining and understanding the information necessary to manage their businesses. To keep client relationships strong, he believes it is crucial to provide timely and reasonably-priced services. According to Al, what sets the Firm apart is its focus on its employees, whom the partners regard as their biggest asset. Al is proud that Schlenner Wenner & Co. is large enough to attract great employees, yet small enough to relate to small business owners and provide them the services they both need and deserve.
Professional History
Education
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Community Involvement
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Brian L. Bastian,
CPA
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Brian L. Bastian, CPA From the very first accounting class he attended, partner Brian Bastian was inspired to enter the field. He has since contributed over 15 years to the profession and in that time has treated every client’s business as if it were his own. With four years of experience as a chief financial officer, Brian’s advice and support are valuable commodities for any business. Brian feels that getting to know his clients personally makes the work experience enjoyable for everyone and that Schlenner Wenner & Co. facilitates that personal interaction through its open and friendly atmosphere.
Professional History
Education
Professional Affiliations
Specific Industries
Contact Information
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Patrick A. Plamann,
CPA, MBT
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Patrick A Plamann, CPA, MBT
What was once an interest in working with numbers has grown into an enjoyment of working with people for partner Pat Plamann. He brings a wealth of experience to the table, including a master’s degree in business taxation from the University of Minnesota. Pat believes that listening to what the clients want and understanding their needs, along with the “work hard, laugh hard” attitude of the employees, are keys to Schlenner Wenner & Co.’s successful service. He extends his attitude of service to involvement in his church and in the community with organizations like Junior Achievement and United Way.
Professional History
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Specific Industries
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Brian D. Mackinac,
CPA
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Brain D. Mackinac, CPA Not long after taking his first Introduction to Accounting class, partner Brian Mackinac knew that he had found his calling. He immediately saw that that there was something behind the numbers with which he worked, namely, the lives of the people he served. More than anything, Brian enjoys helping people improve their living situation and assisting them in times of uncertainty and change. He was able to put this skill to use previously as Mayor of Little Falls and currently as partner at Schlenner Wenner & Co. In addition to the joy he finds in assisting others, Brian appreciates the people on his team. The partners and employees share an enthusiasm for what they do, making the workplace fun, especially during the long hours of tax season.
Professional History
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Personal History
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William F. Buckentine,
CPA
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William F. Buckentine, CPA Partner Bill Buckentine’s parents owned a small business when he was growing up. He remembers the stacks of paperwork that covered the family’s kitchen table during tax time and the sense of urgency that accompanied that paperwork. Witnessing that experience and wanting to help prompted him to take accounting classes. From that point on, Bill knew the accounting field was a perfect fit. Today, the most enjoyable part of his job is building personal and professional relationships with people. He aims to help clients achieve their goals effectively and efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of the profession. For Bill, the people at Schlenner Wenner & Co. make it possible for clients to receive the best he has to offer. His colleagues are always willing to provide advice and support. The partners support the staff in developing their careers by providing training to employees who wish to specialize in certain areas or industries. Such an atmosphere not only enhances individual opportunities of growth and advancement, but most importantly, brings value and expertise to both the team and their clients.
Professional History
Education
Professional Affiliation
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Community Involvement
Personal History
Contact Information
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Cory R. Ritter,
CPA
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Cory R. Ritter, CPA When he was younger, partner Cory Ritter watched his parents face the challenges of managing two small businesses they owned. From his parents’ example, he learned to recognize what small business owners need to succeed. Cory enjoys sharing that knowledge with his clients today. Because he believes that working with people is what public accounting is all about, Cory seeks to understand his clients on both business and personal levels. Whether clients ask for advice on small or large issues, he treats their requests with urgency. Cory values that everyone from partners to entry-level staff at Schlenner Wenner & Co. shares his willingness to help at anytime.
Professional History
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Managers
Jerald J. James,
Senior Manager, CPA
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Jerald J. James, Senior Manager, CPA Though fishing and hunting have always been senior manager Jerry James’ passions on weekends, during the business week he enjoys the challenge of making sense out of numbers. Jerry prides himself on helping his clients understand their financial statements and tax returns. For Jerry, a client who understands his or her own financial situation is the true measure of an accountant’s job done well. Unlike his hobbies, which can be performed solo, Jerry believes accounting is a team effort. Since it is impossible for one person to know everything about the profession, Jerry values how the Schlenner Wenner & Co. team uses each person’s talents to strengthen the firm as a whole.
Professional History
Education
Professional Affiliations
Concentrations
Contact Information
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Richard M. Gruber,
Senior Manager, CPA
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Richard M. Gruber, Senior Manager, CPA Dick Gruber, senior manager, knows the value of a dollar. Likewise, he knows that his clients do too, and Dick enjoys helping them keep as many dollars as they can. His work philosophy is to do things right the first time, treat others as he would like to be treated, and go the extra mile to help clients achieve their goals. He is proud to work for a firm that respects both its clients and its employees. Such a perspective allows him and his co-workers to provide the best service to clients that money can buy.
Professional History
Education
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Community Involvement
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Frances M. Larson,
CPA, CSEP
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Frances M. Larson, CPA, CSEP For Fran Larson¸ tax manager, the best thing about working in the accounting field is working with individuals and families. She feels best helping people resolve financial issues that make a difference in their lives. At home, she makes a difference as a mother of three and through community involvement with the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center and St. Cloud Business and Professional Women. Fran’s business philosophy is that the first and most important step in working with clients is to be a good listener and develop an understanding of what it is that they need from the Firm. Although Schlenner Wenner & Co. has grown significantly over the last decade, Fran values the fact that it has retained an effective hands-on approach with clients.
Education
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Personal History
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Jill M. Hoffmann,
CPA, MBA
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Jill M. Hoffmann, CPA, MBA After taking business and accounting courses early in her college years, manager Jill Hoffmann believed that accounting would be a good career choice. Today, she is convinced that she made the right choice. Blessed with an eye for detail and a strong work ethic, Jill has used her natural strengths to prepare financial statements and tax returns in a timely and efficient manner. In addition to “number crunching,” she advises clients on how to help their business succeed. She enjoys the variety of work that the accounting field provides, and she believes that it is the role of an accountant to serve the customer as a resource for all aspects of their business. At Schlenner Wenner & Co., Jill has found her niche: a great atmosphere in which to work, great opportunities for growth, and an even greater team.
Education
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Community Involvement
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Lori R. Johnson,
CPA
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Lori R. Johnson, CPA Lori Johnson, manager, had several other professional careers before she found her calling as a public accountant. The most rewarding part of her work now is helping clients to succeed and realizing the role that she plays in that success. Lori knows that success requires her to remain current with the ever-growing body of knowledge in public accounting. She also understands that the value of her knowledge only goes as far as her knowledge of the client’s needs. With this perspective, she is able to provide excellent accounting and tax service in a timely manner. And that, Lori believes, gives her clients one thing they may not expect: Freedom. When clients know that experienced and knowledgeable individuals at Schlenner Wenner & Co. have their accounting and tax needs covered, clients are free to be successful at what they do best. With the experience of the entire team available to back her up, Lori consults with people, finds out what they need and assists them with achieving these goals.
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Personal Biography
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Mark A. Skaj,
CPA
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Mark A. Skaj, CPA A skills test in high school indicated that manager Mark Skaj would be successful as a public accountant. His career at Schlenner Wenner & Co. in personal tax and management advisory services proves those old aptitude tests were correct. Mark knows that working with people means looking beyond the “right numbers” in order to explain and discuss workable solutions. He also feels that Schlenner Wenner & Co. is able to keep its promises of a “more than a number” experience due to the diverse and experienced staff. This staff is a talented group of people who are respectful and communicate well with their clients and each other.
Education
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Shelley M. Gaetz,
CPA
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Shelley M. Gaetz, CPA How many people can say that they knew what their career would be in the ninth grade? Shelley Gaetz, manager, can. Since her first bookkeeping class, she has enjoyed working with numbers. When she discovered that she liked working with people as well, the accounting field proved to be a natural fit. Shelley believes that service directed toward an individual’s needs is the best way to keep clients happy. To provide this level of service, she approaches each project as if it were her only one. She enjoys the variety of projects she gets to work on and the people with whom she works. Shelley values the friendly and efficient manner in which the members of the Schlenner Wenner & Co. team work together, consider all views and incorporate those that benefit both the client and the Firm.
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