School Audit Conference - A Virtual Event

Joe Wicklund

Joe Wicklund is a project manager with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) in Norwalk, Connecticut. His current project assignments include Infrastructure Assets and Subsequent Events research. 
Before joining the GASB staff, Joe worked in higher education administration and finance in financial reporting roles for over 12 years at both public (GASB) and private (FASB) institutions. He was most recently the Associate Controller of New Jersey’s Rowan University, responsible for the coordination and preparation of the audited financial statements of the institution, its foundation, and other affiliated component unit entities. His previous experience also includes time at PricewaterhouseCoopers performing financial and compliance audits, primarily of higher education and not-for-profit entities. 
Joe received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Temple University, and holds a Masters in Business Administration from Widener University. He is also licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Pennsylvania.

Tammy Lehmen

Tammy Lehmen holds a Bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University and worked as a Bank Examiner for the State of Missouri prior to joining DESE as a School Finance Consultant in 2000. Her focus is on the Basic Formula, Classroom Trust, Small Schools, and Prop C payments and ensuring the data used in those calculations are reasonable and correct.

Melisa Galasso

Melisa F. Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with over 15 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not for profit and governmental accounting.

Her passion is providing high-quality CPE that is meaningful, creates efficiencies and improves quality, and positively impacts ROI. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts.

Melisa is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one of the differentiators that set her apart from other CPE providers.

She also serves on the FASB's Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), the AICPA's Technical Issues Committee (TIC), has had leadership roles on various A&A committees, and serves on the VSCPA's Board of Directors.
Melisa is a 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award recipient and was honored as a "40 under 40" by CPA Practice Advisor in 2017 and 2018. She was also named the 2019 Rising Star by her regional NAWBO chapter, received the Don Farmer award for achievement in technical content instruction, and earned several other awards for public speaking and technical training.

Leslie Porter

Special Education Finance Assistant Director, Leslie Porter, has worked for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the Special Education Finance section for almost 10 years. She is responsible for monitoring all school districts within the state in order to determine compliance with all IDEA Part B federal requirements and assisting districts in becoming compliant with the federal requirements when necessary. She also provides technical assistance to districts for special education program expenditures and the federal requirements.

Brandon Waldren

Brandon assists clients in understanding their internal control weaknesses that could lead to a material misstatement or fraud. If fraud is suspected or discovered, he works diligently to understand the extent of the damage and how to prevent it from happening again.

When you work with Brandon, you can expect a lot of questions, but the return of all the answers you need to put issues to rest. Specializing in Government Accounting and holding an AICPA Advance Single Audit Certificate, Brandon has the knowledge to attack unique issues with Federal and State entities, most are unable to provide. His professional experience and previous role as a Senior Audit Manager mean he’s ready to work with you, whatever the issue.

Outside of work, Brandon enjoys movies, writing screenplays, teaching line dancing, fishing and spending time with family. Brandon also volunteers with Young Life and Kids Against Hunger on a monthly basis.

Otto Fajen

Legislative Director | Missouri National Education Association