Meet our Accounting Instructors

At Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, we hear it repeatedly from students – our instructors are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and make accounting come alive! Our class sizes are small, providing extensive opportunities for students and instructors to work closely together towards common goals – our students’ success in the classroom and throughout their professional careers. 
The following profiles introduce some of our accounting instructors:

• Ellen Aigner
• Julie C. Bassett
• Dan Frusher
• Bill Gschwind
• Phyllis Kapetanakis
• Lolita Keck
• Beverly Kile
• William R. McGhee
• James Morris
• Dave Peterson
• Therese Rice
• Timothy J. Stier
• Christine Storms
• Chris Strand
• Melanie Torborg

Ellen Aigner

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI
• Master of Business Administration, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI
• Currently pursuing Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Work experience

• Small business controller
• Accounting and Analysis Manager, Northwest Airlines
• Director of Payment and Billing, Prime Therapeutics, LLC

Favorite courses to teach

• Payroll Accounting
• Tax
• Accounting Principles II
• Audit
• Business Management

Irrelevant but interesting
I raise and show miniature horses, and I am a Nintendo DS Brain Age 2 junkie.

Julie C. Bassett, Certified Public Accountant, CPA

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Southeastern Louisiana University, 1999
• Master of Business Administration, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2000
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Work Experience

• Auditor, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, 2000
• Accountant Supervisor, Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana, 2003
• Instructor, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2006 which is a traditional environment. Online Instructor
  Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, 2007

Favorite Courses to Teach

• Accounting Principles
• Intermediate Accounting
• Managerial Accounting

Dan Frusher

• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire,1993
• Master of Arts in Teaching, Mankato State University, 1995
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Winona State, 2004

Work Experience
Finance Associate (Accountant), Mayo Clinic
High school teacher, 5 years

Favorite Courses to Teach
I have to list Business Math, due to the fact my parents partially subsidized two degrees in the 1990 that were to prepare me for 30+ years as a public servant. 
My favorite accounting classes to teach are: Intermediate Accounting II and Managerial / Cost Accounting, because of the logical thought process required to solve these types of problems. (It is a math thing.)  I also enjoy Accounting Principles II because you are setting the foundation for future accounting classes.     

Irrelevant but interesting
My family and coworkers have called me this – now it is a section in my bio.
Grew up in Southern Wisconsin (Janesville).
My wife (Karen) and I have resided in Rochester for almost 15 years.
We have two daughters – Emily (6, 2001) and Hannah (2, 2006).
We have three adopted children.  Marcel is a 13 year-old Bichon Friese, Rochelle is a 12 year-old Lhasa Apso and Lucky Kitty is a 7 year-old Silver Cat I found on a golf course I was managing in 2001. 
When not working I enjoy playing a round of golf, taking in a Rochester Honker baseball game, and any outdoor projects around the house (deck, retaining walls, landscaping, etc).  My newest adventure will be into the world of boating as we just purchased a used bowrider.

Bill Gschwind

• BS – International Relations, American Foreign Policy and Economic Phases
  University of Wisconsin - Madison
• MBA – Business Management
  University of St. Thomas
• JD Candidate – Business Law
  William Mitchell College of Law

Relevant Work Experience

• Presently dedicated to helping business owners improve their success
• Self-employed since 1994
• Owned and operated 4 different businesses

Favorite Courses to Teach
Any business course where I can help a student appreciate the value of business and free-market capitalism to the American way of life.

Phyllis Kapetanakis, CPA

• B.S., B.A. in Accounting and Finance, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
• Master in Taxation, Arizona State University
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Work experience
Arthur Anderson (3 years), auditing government and not-for-profit groups
KPMG (7 years), Tax Division, corporate, PLs, 990s, Estate and Gift
Henry & Home (3 years), Tax, Estate Group
Favorite course to teach:
Tax and Accounting Principles

Lolita Keck, CPA

I have a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota and I am a Minnesota CPA. My public accounting experience has been in taxation at a national CPA firm, but I do not practice currently. In addition to accounting, my work background includes positions in business management and free-lance writing.

I also have a degree in education from the University of Illinois. I have taught accounting, business, and math at Globe University/Minnesota School of Business for over fifteen years.

Beverly Kile, CPA

• Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting, University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• QuickBooks Pro Advisor

Work experience

• 20 years working in several CPA firms, providing the following services:
• Individual and corporate tax preparation
• Preparation of reviews and compilations
• Consulting on all related financial matters
• Consulting on QuickBooks software issues

Favorite courses to teach
Tax I, Tax II and Accounting Systems

Irrelevant but interesting
My first career dream was to be a professional bowler.                               

William R. McGhee

• Master of Arts in Business Management, Webster University
• Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, University of South Carolina
• Associate of Arts in Accounting, Rasmussen College

Work Experience:
Commissioned Officer, US Army 1976 -1997
Operations and Accounting Manager (various Companies), 1997 to present

Favorite Courses to Teach
Accounting Principles Courses – all three

Irrelevant but interesting
I spent almost half my life living and studying overseas.
I have 125 skydives.
My favorite hobbies are primitive camping and muzzleloader shooting.

James Morris, CPA

• Masters of Accounting, University of Virginia- McIntire School of Business
• Bachelors of Science, Finance, Southern Illinois University
• Bachelors of Arts, Economics, Southern Illinois University
• Bachelors of Science, Marketing, Southern Illinois University
• Certified Public Accountant

Work Experience

• Ernst & Young –  At the time, one of the Big five ( now the Big Four) Ernst & Young was where I spent 3 years in public accounting working in the Financial Services industry, specializing in business risk assessment and internal audit.
• US Bank Asset Management – My mission at US Bank was to refine the 10 year old costs accounting system used to allocate costs over ALL of the branches and service centers of the entire company. I spent 3 years as a cost accounting expert and later worked as a Sr Financial Analyst focusing on new product analysis, capital spending, and forecast analysis
• Thomson-Reuters – At the largest publicly traded service company in the US, I spent 3 yrs as a Senior Business Analyst identifying product and process efficiencies and as well as developing financial reporting and accounting policies.
• Ameripride Services/ Canadian Linen – As the Financial Reporting Manager, I am responsible for the financial reporting of the company. From researching GAAP to evaluating processes, my goal is to paint the best picture for the users of the financials. 

Favorite Courses to Teach
I really like intermediate accounting, but advanced is my second favorite, although since Fraud is my favorite topic I would love to teach the new fraud class, which would obviously then be my favorite class.

Irrelevant but interesting
I am a big salsa dancer, and I am currently training to box.

Dave Peterson, CPA

• Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of Minnesota, Morris
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Minnesota
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Work experience
Accounting
Finance
Banking
Purchasing
Human Resources

Favorite courses to teach
Accounting Principles I and Accounting Principles II

Therese Rice, CPA

• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration-Accounting, University of St. Thomas
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Work Experience
I work seasonally for a national public accounting firm. I get the opportunity to train new staff and it allows me to keep my CPA license active.

Favorite Courses to Teach
I teach all of the accounting classes, but my area of concentration is the Accounting Principles classes.

Irrelevant but interesting
In addition to teaching and taxes, my other passion is "creating new spaces" with a gallon of paint and a total change in design. I love the "before and after"!  HGTV is my favorite channel, but I don't have cable.

Timothy J. Stier

• BA & MBA, St. Cloud State University
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
• CBA (Certified Bank Auditor)
• CFSA (Certified Financial Services Auditor)

Relevant Work Experience: 

• Now retired former Chief Accountant of the Office of Thrift Supervision, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, in Washington, DC
• Has taught as adjunct professor at:
  Southwest Florida College, Fort Myers, FL
  Catholic University, Washington, DC
  George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
  George Washington University, Washington, DC

Favorite Courses to Teach:

• Financial accounting – undergraduate & graduate

Irrelevant but interesting

• Principal residence in southwest Florida, and seasonal (summer) residence in St. Cloud, MN

Christine Storms

• Associate in Applied Science in Accounting, Minnesota School of Business
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Metropolitan State University
• Master of Business Administration-Business/Marketing, Grand Canyon University
• Currently pursuing PhD. in Management Education, Capella University

Work Experience
I owned my own heating and air conditioning company for 10 years prior to becoming a teacher.

Favorite Courses to Teach
Accounting Principles I
Managerial Accounting

Chris Strand

• Bachelor of Science (Accounting) Missouri State University
• Masters of Business Administration Metropolitan State University
• Certified Public Accountant (Inactive)

Work Experience
Vice President of Operations Yamamoto Moss
Accounting Manager PaneNet
Accounting Manager Photoquip USA

Favorite Courses to Teach
Managerial Accounting
Comparative Economics
Audit

Irrelevant But Interesting
I once golfed 72 holes in one day.

Melanie Torborg, CMA

• Associate in Applied Science in Accounting, St. Cloud Business College
• Bachelor of Science in Finance, Metropolitan State University
• Master of Business Administration, Globe University/Minnesota School of Business
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Work Experience
25 years in corporate accounting
Two years in public accounting

Favorite Courses to Teach
Managerial Accounting
Intermediate Accounting I

Visit us. Get to know us. Join us.

Please feel free to contact Globe University/Minnesota School of Business. A college representative will be happy to answer your questions, arrange a campus tour or online tour, and help you with any administrative processes.