FARGO, ND — Dave Stende, CPA, who has served as Eide Bailly’s Chief Operating Officer for the past seven years, is now at the helm of the business as he assumed the managing partner/CEO role May 1. “I am humbled and honored to step into this role,” Stende says. “Working with Jerry Topp during the past seven years has prepared me well for this role. I am ready to build on what he has done.”
Topp, who served as managing partner/CEO from 2003 to 2013, plans to continue working for a few years, focusing his efforts on growing Practicewise, an association of non-competing CPA firms, and on ensuring a smooth transition for the Firm.
With the change in CEO role, the firm is also implementing a new management structure that Stende says will support Eide Bailly’s aggressive growth goal. “Our board of directors has been working diligently these last few months to define Eide Bailly’s five-year vision. Our goal is to continue a high level of growth, as this provides more opportunities for our people and additional services for our clients. We have many opportunities before us, including organic growth and M&A prospects; capitalizing on these opportunities requires change. This new management structure will give us the leadership needed to pursue these goals.”
Mike Astrup, CPA and Partner-In-Charge of the Fargo office, is the firm’s new Chief Administrative Officer. He is responsible for the internal functions of the firm, including HR, training, finance, communications and IT, as well as the processes related to core services (assurance and tax). Astrup has been with the firm since 1984.
James Lyons, CPA and Partner-In-Charge of the firm’s Colorado offices, has been named Strategic Growth Officer. Lyons will be responsible for growing the firm’s specialty services, including technology, forensics, valuations, employee benefits, and National Tax Office offerings, as well as further developing and deploying the firm’s industries. Lyons has been with Eide Bailly since 2008, and in public accounting for nearly 30 years.
Barb Aasen, CPA and Partner-In-Charge of the firm’s Bismarck and Williston offices, and Andrew Spillum, CPA and Partner-In-Charge of the firm’s Phoenix office, are Chief Practice Officers. They are responsible for overseeing the growth and profitability of the firm’s 21 operating offices. In addition, Aasen and Spillum will continue to lead their respective offices. Aasen has been with Eide Bailly since 1991; Spillum has been with the firm since 1989.
“I am excited about this new management group and look forward to working with them as we continue building on the successes we have had as a Firm,” Stende commented. “As we work to grow Eide Bailly, we will continue to provide excellent client service and maintain our strong culture. There is no doubt, this is an exciting time for Eide Bailly!”
Stende has 31 years’ experience in public accounting, providing client services in the areas of auditing and consulting for a variety of industries. He served as chief operating officer (COO) from 2006-2013, and one year as partner-in-charge of the Firm's Fargo, N.D., office.
About Eide Bailly LLP
Eide Bailly provides 40,000 clients across the nation with our core services of audit & assurance and tax, as well as expanded services, including accounting services, employee benefits, enterprise risk management, financial services, forensic & valuation, technology consulting, transaction services and wealth management. Eide Bailly has offices located in Phoenix, Ariz.; Boulder, Denver, Frisco, Golden, Grand Junction and Vail, Colo.; Boise, Idaho; Dubuque, Iowa; Mankato and Minneapolis, Minn.; Billings, Mont.; Bismarck, Fargo and Williston, N.D.; Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, S.D; and Ogden, Utah.
We're Here to Help
