Trevor Walto (2007)

It was great to hear from Trevor recently. He says,

"My wife and I are getting ready to celebrate our second anniversary in about a month. We are attending and involved at Brookside Baptist in Brookfield. It is great to see God’s hand in and to be a part of a growing church.

"I recently finished up my Masters Degree in accounting (MPA) at UW Whitewater which gave me the 150 credit hours I needed to sit for the CPA exam. I then spent the summer studying full-time for the exam using the Becker review program. It is unbelievable the amount of information that one needs to take in to be prepared properly. I took the Regulation section in May, which I passed, and took the remaining three sections in July and August. I just found out last week that I passed all of them except Auditing on my first try. I will retake that section in November before the new changes go into effect.

"I am now starting my fourth week at Deloitte and am working in the tax department in the Milwaukee offices. I am still learning a lot of what my job will entail but generally we work with expatriates and inpatriates both in a tax preparation role and in a tax advisory role.

I consider myself very blessed to be in the position I am right now. As I worked through my Masters program at Whitewater, there were many other students that I talked to that were having trouble finding jobs. God has blessed me with a job in this tough economy and not only that but a job at one of the Big Four accounting firms!

"It is amazing to look back over all of my challenging experiences and see God’s guiding hand. I had my own plans for my career and how it would progress but God’s plan was so much better. If I had not let Him work and tried to do things my own way I may not have experienced it."

Matt Uplinger ('09)

Matt has a new job and new location. His wife, Jodi, was transferred closer to Milwaukee from her job in Columbus. Matt and Jodi now live in West Bend.

So Matt writes: "We decided it would be best for us to move closer to her job to save us money on travel and hopefully have a better chance of me finding a job near Milwaukee. At the beginning of June I got a call to come in for a job interview. The interview was a group interview and it was a very different format than I have done before. We were expected to prepare a presentation for the interview and we had to do some other role playing and Q/A time with the rest of the group. While it was a different type of interviewing for me, it was very similar to the way that we held class and I felt very comfortable in it. About a week later I got a call from the company and they offered me a job.

"On June 22nd I started my job as the Local Marketing Specialist for Babies R Us. I am in charge of marketing for the Appleton, Brookfield, and Racine stores. It is my job to go to the OB/GYN offices, hospitals, Family Practices, Pediatrician offices, and anywhere else that would have contact with expectant mothers and create a relationship where we can have them pass out materials promoting the store. I am also in charge of finding various local events and Baby expos to participate in to get the word out about Babies R Us."

The faculty guess that he's now extra thankful for those oral exams and other challenging experiences in the classroom that prepared him to do so well. :^)

Mary Strahm ('08)

No, this isn't Mary's bike but it's fun to think that she might have had a part in bringing it to the U.S. Market!

Mary writes: "I worked part-time in Trek's Oconomowoc warehouse while still a student at Maranatha. Around May 2008, I have the opportunity to interview for a starting office position. I applied, got the job, and worked as an Export Document Specialist for about 4 months. I was in charge of processing all Canadian shipments that were leaving our Wisconsin and California warehouses. I had to create spreadsheets that listed all parts exporting out of the country and forward the spreadsheets to our brokers so they could clear the shipments.

"In September, I accepted a promotion to a newly created position. I am currently one of two International Compliance Specialists at Trek Bicycles. (I didn't see that coming or I would have taken International Law!) The main responsibility of my current job is post entry. Post entry involves lots of auditing so attention to detail is a huge must! I currently spend 95% of my time auditing U.S. customs entries. I take entries that have errors to our different brokers and work with them on correcting the entries with customs. I also am working with a team from my department to help resolve an issue that we currently have with our vendors. We have Kaizan meetings about once a month and are working on updating our Import SOP to solve our issue."

Mary was an Assistant Team Leader during the Senior Capstone Project. It's good to see that Trek is recognizing some of the qualities that her faculty and peers recognized while Mary was a student!

Kevin Miner (’04) and Phil James (‘04)

Kevin and James listening intently to Mr. Miller (as usual :^) ) while new professor, Jeff Drost, looks on with amazement during the 40th anniversary of Maranatha!

Kevin is currently working for Kerr Corp as a Master Scheduler/Forecaster in Middleton, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Brooke, are living in Lake Mills. They are serving the Lord at Rock Lake Baptist Church where Kevin is the King’s Kids director and church treasurer.

Phil lives in Morristown, Minnesota and works in Faribault as the dispatcher for the Midwest Regional Terminal for Aldi foods. He works for the company Black Horse Carriers which contracts with Aldi and other companies such as Menards, Pier One, Ford, Affiliated Foods (Shur Fine label), Deli Express, etc. He has been working in Faribault for a year and is spending some of his “free” time working on his house. He attends First Baptist Church in Faribault.

Sara Anderson ('08)

Sara now knows what it's REALLY like to be busy -- no more school days and easy schedules!

She works in Madison, Wisconsin, as a Leasing Consultant for JEK Properties. Sara says that she has "learned Quickbooks and I actually enjoy it:) I also get to go to the courthouse every so often to file for evictions and other small claims cases."

At Calvary Baptist in Sun Prairie Sara shares: "I am the Sparks Director in the AWANA clubs and I help in Jr. Church on Sunday mornings. I stay pretty busy with that but I love it!"

Her former professors are excited to hear how Sara is putting her training and her enthusiasm to work.

Jeff Finger ('99)

Jeff and Kristi are homeowners in Watertown. Jeff is accountant for Friskars Brands Inc. Here's Jeff's question for the Introduction to Business students' November 21st quiz:

In the week ended Nov. 15 which was marked by many major retailers announcing huge third quarter losses, what company announced a 10% increase in profit through the third quarter?
a. J.C. Penny Co.
b. Kohl’s Corp.
c. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
d. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Zach Zepke ('08)

Zach says:

"Sarah and I are still living in Watertown. I am working at Kayser Chrysler as a sales professional and enjoy it so far. I am probably going to be doing some of the financing work in the future, or at least training for it. It is nice to know that I can work at a dealership, and that I do not have to compromise my Christian standards.

"Being married is wonderful, and I am loving everyday that God has given me with Sarah. She has been a great encourager for me since things are going slow at work. God continues to provide for us on a daily basis."

Zach Zepke ('08)

Check out the happy groom (and Sarah, his bride)!

Mya Alyvia Pfaffe

... Grandpa and Grandma Pfaffe with our newest grandchild and first granddaughter.

Mya was born 8/18/08 at 10:48 pm in Watertown, WI, to Kyle and Kimberly (our middle child and his wife). She weighed 6 lbs, 14.7 oz, and was 20.5 inches long.

Aaron Henkel ('98)

Colson John was born on May 29, making five now for Aaron and DeAnna. According to DeAnna: "He was a week early, which his mommy was so very thankful for!! He is doing great and gaining weight! We are so excited that he is finally here. The kids love him and are always wanting to hold him."

Paul Shirk ('08)

At the May 2008 Commencement service, Paul received the Department of Business's second Student Achievement Award. A statement of Paul's qualifications as stated by the faculty follows.

"The Department of Business recognizes Mr. Paul T. Shirk as the 2008 Student Achievement Award recipient. As an Accounting Management major, Mr. Shirk earned a grade point average of 3.91 while maintaining an active extracurricular schedule and gaining the respect of his peers and professors. Mr. Shirk served as Detachment Commander of Maranatha’s ROTC Charlie Company while pursuing his education. He received the University of Wisconsin’s highest award to the senior Army cadet among its Madison, Wisconsin and partnership schools who has demonstrated superior leadership ability, excellence in academics and military studies and involvement in extracurricular activities. He serves in the children’s ministries at the New Testament Baptist Church of Columbus, Wisconsin. His fellow seniors consistently acknowledged his superior leadership skills as a Team Leader for his Senior Capstone team project. The faculty is pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the Student Achievement Award, Mr. Paul T. Shirk."

The Department of Business in collaboration with The Wall Street Journal offers distinctive recognition of an exceptional business graduating senior at Maranatha Baptist Bible College. The recipient has demonstrated excellence in academics and spiritual leadership, and holds great promise as a future Christian business professional.

The graduate receives a commemorative award medallion, a one-year subscription to The Wall Street Journal, and publication with other winners in a full-page announcement in the nation’s number one business newspaper.

Trevor Waltho II ('08)

Trevor and his fiance (Shelly) are preparing for their wedding day.

Meanwhile, Trevor "started at Fiduciary Real Estate Development (FRED) in downtown Milwaukee on Monday, May 19. My job title is Accountant and I will be in charge of monthly/year-end statements, approval of bank reconciliations, journal entries, etc. I am very excited to have begun my accounting career at "FRED". It will be a great place to take the accounting principles learned in my classes and see them at work in a real life work environment.

"FRED will be able to work with me when I start classes again in a few months. They will be flexible as far as letting me leave early to make it to my classes in Whitewater. This was a precondition to any job that I might have accepted. Speaking of Whitewater, I was accepted into their MPA (Masters in Public Accounting) program and will begin night classes on a part-time schedule in spring of 2009."

Congratuations, Trevor! We look forward to hearing great progress in your career and life.

Monica Swaagman ('04)

Monica was accepted into the graduate school at UW-Milwaukee and will be pursuing her masters in Accounting with the intentions of sitting for the CPA exam when complete.

Monica is the Branch Controller at First Bank Financial Centre in the Waukesha, Wisconsin area.

Heather Mroczkowski ('06)

Heather graduated this month from Lakeland College with her MBA. Her next plan is to look for employment in the DC area. Congratulations, Heather!

Senior Capstone Students-Spring 2008

Frank Krejci, President of Custom Shoppe of Watertown, Wisconsin, posed for a picture with the students of Dr. Pfaffe's Senior Capstone class late this semester outside the company facility. Mr. Krejci shared his experience and perspective regarding venture capital projects and management of the process of gaining funding from the perspective of a venture capitalist.

Jake Schulz ('04)

Jake and boys! Pam has to keep up with Isaac, Carter and husband in Door County, Wisconsin.

Trevor Waltho II ('07)

As an accountant at heart, I am warmed to hear Trevor tell of his internship at Kolb and Company, CPAs ... Trevor says, "I have finished the third week of my internship at Kolb+Co. So far everything has been a little overwhelming." :^)

"Everyone at Kolb has been unbelievably helpful. ... I was told to expect a few 80 hour weeks in March or April!"

I'm confident that Trevor's going to do a great job! Mr. Ron Miller (who taught many of Trevor's accounting classes) and I (his Auditing professor) will be excited to hear.

Ben Lodwick ('04)

Mrs. Laurie Pfaffe holds Allison Joy Lodwick, newborn daughter of Ben and Andrea (Howe--'04 MBBC grad) Lodwick, at the January 12, 2008, Crusader men's basketball game. Ben and Andrea live in Oconomowoc and serve at Faith Baptist Church there.

Matt Davis ('96)

Matt says:

"2007 was an eventful year for the Davis family. I accepted a position working with Dr. Mike Duffy in Watertown as Corporate Counsel and Vice President of Eternal Vision, a ministry dedicated to helping Christian schools and other ministries teach Biblical stewardship and build ministry endowments.

"I am greatly enjoying teaching Business Law as an adjunct professor at Maranatha -- although it makes me feel old to realize how many years it has been since I sat where the students are now!

"In December, it was exciting to incorporate the Davis Law Firm, LLC to handle the various legal matters that inevitably come my way. While I've helped dozens of others form corporations in the past, it was a really fun experience to see the process through first-hand.

"This year we are looking forward to rolling out Eternal Vision's mass-marketing plan---making our endowment building services available to schools across the country. It will be wonderful to see the Lord work through our new ministry."

Corey Pfaffe steps in with his commentary: "It's been my privilege to join the Board of Eternal Vision. I encourage you check out Matt's great work on the website at http://www.eternalvision.org/. If you like what you see, please encourage the administrator of your local Christian school to check it out!

"On another note: Matt, Dana and the boys have been a blessing at Calvary Baptist here in Watertown."

Tim Johns ('04)

Tim, Heidi (Hendrickson, 2003) and baby Delaney at the Saturday, January 12, 2008, Crusader basketball game (won by the men over Rockford College!). Tim serves on staff at Maranatha.