History
Equipment Dealer Consulting, LLC. (EDC), brings together over 90 years of collective expertise in the fields of farm equipment, construction, industrial machinery, outdoor power equipment, hardware, home center, and building materials industries. This extensive industry knowledge empowers our team to deliver exceptional service and consultation in a highly efficient and impactful manner.
Equipment Dealer Consulting, LLC is a long-time trusted partner of the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA), a reputable organization established over 120 years ago. NAEDA represents dealers in various sectors, including farm equipment, outdoor power tools, industrial machinery, construction equipment, hardware and home centers.
We are eager to offer your company the necessary services and invaluable guidance to foster sustained growth and prosperity.
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At Equipment Dealer Consulting, we understand the importance of selecting the perfect accounting firm for your needs. We firmly believe that this decision should not be taken lightly. That's why we provide complimentary consultations, where we guide you through understanding your requirements, defining the extent of your objectives, and considering your budget.
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Team
President
Curtis A. Kleoppel, CPA, CVA
Curt is the President of EDC and Chief Financial Officer of the North American Equipment Dealers Association. With over 40 years of experience working with farm equipment, construction, hardware, and home centers, Curt has harnessed a wealth of knowledge and expertise. His main focus is completing certified audits, business valuations, mergers and acquisitions, succession, and estate planning. Curt takes pride in his advocacy efforts to assist in protecting dealers from legislation or regulations that negatively impact their business. The Cost of Doing Business Study has proved to be an effective tool to influence policymakers.
Curt graduated in 1981 from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) with a B.S. in Accounting. He earned his CPA in 1986 and CVA in 2003.
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Valuation Analyst
Activities & Affiliations
Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants
Member of National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts
Accountant
Lonnie Finch, CPA
Lonnie joined the EDC team in 2008 as a certified public accountant to assist with their growing accounting needs and provide expert advice to NAEDA members on accounting, taxes, and other financial questions. He is also the lead in preparing EDC’s annual Cost of Doing Business Study which provides impactful data for the equipment industry. Lonnie began his career at Baird, Kurtz & Dobson (BKD) in the tax department. From there he moved to a local size CPA firm, after a short stint with a private company, where he performed all aspects of tax, audits and reviews, and write-up work for public accounting. Lonnie graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) with a B.S. in Accounting in 1998 and obtained his license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2002.
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant
Activities & Affiliations
Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Accountant
Jeff Overbey, CPA
Jeff joined the EDC team in 2020 as a certified public accountant to assist in the growing accounting demands from certified audits to taxes. With 40 years of accounting experience, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge to help guide and serve clients.
Jeff began his career as a senior auditor for a few different companies from 1982-1995 then shifted to Senior Accountant and Risk Accounting Supervisor for a number of years with Evergy an electric services company. Before joining EDC he worked for 6 years as an accountant for Ferrellgas, LP an American supplier of propane. Jeff earned his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Accounting at the University of Central Missouri in 1982 and became a CPA in 1992.
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant
Activities & Affiliations
Missouri Society of CPAs
Accountant
Whitney Kohler, CPA
Whitney joined the EDC team in July of 2021 as a certified public accountant to assist in the growing accounting demands from certified audits and other accounting services. With over 10 years of experience, Whitney will be a great asset to the team.
Before joining EDC, Whitney worked primarily with clients in the agriculture industry, preparing business tax returns and audits for 3 years at Lewis, Hooper, and Dick, LLC, a public accounting firm.
Whitney began her career at Hamilton & Musser, P.C., in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, in the audit department. She specialized in working with nonprofit organizations and state associations in the Central PA area providing compilations, reviews, audits, and tax return services. Whitney graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2013 with a double major in accounting and marketing.
Activities & Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Kansas Society of CPAs
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant
Accountant
Amy Brandt, CPA
Amy joined the EDC team in November of 2022 as a certified public accountant to assist in the growing tax preparation demands. She has over six years of experience in tax preparation.
Before joining the EDC team, Amy was a partner of a firm for three years that focused on tax preparation for businesses, individuals, trusts and non-profits. Her experience is in a variety of industries from real estate and construction to retail and restaurants. She also has experience in tax planning with various client industries.
Amy graduated from the University of Phoenix with her Master of Science in Accountancy in 2018 and obtained her CPA in 2020.
Activities & Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant
Accountant
Bridget Staker
Bridget joined the EDC team in early 2018 to handle tax preparation for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits. She also performs the monthly close for Association Management Clients – including preparation of financial statements for monthly board meetings, review of financial statements with the executive director, completion of tax returns for the Associations, and sales tax returns. Bridget also assists with the Cost of Doing Business Study and other support when needed.
Bridget started off her career with the public accounting firm KPMG in Kansas City and also worked for them in Washington, DC. She received her undergrad in Accounting and Business Administration (1995) from the University of Kansas. She also holds a Master of Science Degree in Accounting focused on tax from the University of Missouri –Kansas City (1996).
Accounts Receivable & Payable
Melinda O’Brien
Melinda O’Brien joined the team in 2019 as Accounting Coordinator. With 25 years of experience in her field, Melinda is responsible for accounts payable, receivables, and billing for both Equipment Dealer Consulting and the North American Equipment Dealers Association.
Prior to coming to NAEDA, Melinda was the Accounts Payable/Vendor Specialist for Wheatbelt. Wheatbelt works primarily with drop ship programs directly shipping to farm stores in the Midwest and offered accounting service for its members providing central billing and invoicing for more than 1,600 vendors. Melinda received her Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Metropolitan Community College.