2025 Technical Exchange

The 2025 Technical Exchange is here to immerse you in an extraordinary one-and-a-half-day fly-in event, unlike any other. Join us on January 27-28, 2025, and prepare to be part of something exceptional. This event is only open to NSAC Members. Space is limited, we sold out last year, and the event will fill up fast!

DYNAMIC DISCUSSIONS, NOT MUNDANE PRESENTATIONS
Say goodbye to mundane PowerPoint presentations! Our innovative program revolves around dynamic roundtable discussions and collaborative sessions. Seasoned professionals and industry leaders will roll up their sleeves and take a deep dive into the challenges that truly matter to you.

ENGAGE IN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS
Collaborate with top experts and peers within a small group setting. This facilitates intimate conversations centered around the challenges specific to your cooperative or the cooperatives you're engaged with. Walk away with actionable insights and solutions tailored to your unique context.

EXPERIENCE DUAL TECHNICAL-FOCUSED EXCHANGES
Find the best fit for you with two exceptional exchanges to choose from:

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EXCHANGE
Dive into the dynamic landscape of electric cooperatives with this robust list of topics. Explore innovative solutions, navigate industry challenges, and connect with fellow experts in this specialized exchange.

Discussion Leaders:
Bill Miller, CPA, Tax Partner, Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert & Moss, LLP
Larry Andrews, MBA, CTP, Chief Administrative and Finance Officer, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

View Electric Cooperative Discussion Topics

• Accounting & Technical
  • Grants
  • Use of ASC 980 for establishing regulatory assets and liabilities
  • Broadband:
    • Subsidiaries
    • Divisions
    • Fiber Lease/Access Agreements – Operating vs Non-operating
    • Deferred Income Taxes
  • FEMA & Mutual Aid – Accounting and Auditing Considerations
• Finance:
  • Analysis of Lease vs Purchase
  • How to finance an Electric Coop.  Managing interest rate risk.
  • Managing liquidity and cash with banking relationships.
  • Factors to consider when establishing a fiber lease/access rate between the parent cooperative and the ISP subsidiary.
• HR Related Topics:
  • Finance leader or team development (how to we advance and mentor our up and coming financial leaders)?
  • Other
• Internal Controls:
  • Ideas to strengthen Internal Controls for a co-op that is not large enough to hire a dedicated Internal Auditor.
• Patrons Equity:
  • Mega Loads – rate setting, liability considerations and capital credit allocations
  • Managing Margins
  • Challenges of a cooperative with broadband choosing to go taxable; what that does for patronage allocations; how to help the Board of Directors understand 
  • Other impacts of Broadband on the allocation and retirement of capital credits
  • Current Trends in allocating and retiring capital credits
• Regulatory and Rates:
  • General electric rate discussion
  • How newer technology fit into traditional rate groupings
  • Net Metering
  • G&T Power Cost Projections & Fuel Cost Adjustments
  • Depreciation studies
• Tax:
  • Elective (direct) payment of investment tax credits – qualification & monetization
  • Broadband:
    • 85-15 Test Considerations
    • Patronage vs Non-patronage
    • Unrelated Business Taxable Income & the Unrelated Business Income Tax
    • Grants
  • Tax Exempt vs Taxable Electric Distribution Cooperatives

TAX+A&A EXCHANGE
Elevate your expertise in cooperative tax, finance, and accounting specific to Sub-Ts. Uncover strategies to proactively tackle emerging challenges and demands in this ever-evolving domain.

Discussion Leaders:
Rebecca Thoune, CPA, Signing Director, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
Nick Mueting, CPA, Shareholder, Lindburg Vogel Pierce Faris, Chartered
Eric Gillam, CPA, Partner, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP

View Tax + A&A Discussion Topics

While we will compile a list of suggested discussion topics, attendees will control the flow and content of the exchange. We encourage you to bring the challenges you are facing for discussion and actively engage in solution-based collaboration and strategy.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
With more than 8 hours of enriching programming, discussions, and knowledge exchange, the event offers comprehensive key takeaways and CPE credits.

FORGE CONNECTIONS AND NETWORK
While each exchange operates autonomously, meal times and breaks provide the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded participants. Build relationships that last and expand your professional network in a supportive environment.

CONVENIENT TO FIT YOUR SCHEDULE
Situated at the easily accessible Grand Hyatt, right inside the Dallas Airport, this fly-in event promises convenience to fit your busy schedule.

SCHEDULE
Each Exchange will work through challenges and discussions separately but come together for networking during meals and breaks.

All times are Central Time
January 27, 2025
12:00 PM Networking Lunch
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Exchanges
5:30 Happy Hour
6:00 PM Dinner

January 28, 2025
7:00 AM Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Exchanges

REGISTRATION
With more than 8 hours of enriching programming, discussions, and knowledge exchange, the event offers comprehensive course materials, CPE credits, and well-planned meals. Situated at the conveniently accessible Grand Hyatt inside the Dallas Airport, this fly-in event promises convenience.

Registration Fees: $425 per person (does not include transportation, overnight accommodations or non-scheduled meals)
REGISTER

Open to NSAC members only.
Limited to the first 25 people for each session to ensure focused dialogue, limited slots are available for each exchange, fostering an atmosphere of meaningful exchanges. Feel free to request placement on the waiting list once registrations reach capacity by emailing info@nsacoop.org.

HOTEL
GRAND HYATT DFW
2337 S INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY
DFW AIRPORT, TX, 75261-9045, US
Hotel Registration: $239 + tax per night
RESERVE HOTEL
Hotel Reservation Deadline: January 6, 2025

MEET OUR DISCUSSION LEADERS - ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EXCHANGE

Bill Miller, CPA,Tax Partner, Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert & Moss, LLP
Bill Miller, CPA is a partner with the accounting firm of Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert & Moss in Lubbock, Texas. He began his career with the firm in 1992 and holds a degree in accounting from the University of Texas in Austin. Bill is in charge of the firm's utility and cooperative tax practice, providing tax and consulting services to exempt and non-exempt utility cooperatives, including related subsidiaries. Traditional responsibilities include tax research, tax planning, recommending entity types for new business ventures, and oversight of tax return preparation. Cooperative-specific responsibilities include compliance with co-op principles and plans to allocate and redeem patronage capital. In addition to working with the firm's audit clients, Bill has consulted with trade associations in providing guidance on tax and equity issues pertaining to the electric cooperative industry. Past guidance includes consulting with the Capital Credits Task Force and also providing technical assistance on a national level regarding the tax impact of proposed legislation on electric cooperatives. Bill is active in the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives. He has served as a past National President and a National Director representing the Electric Cooperative Chapter. Bill is a recipient of the Silver Bowl, the industry's most prestigious award, and is a frequent speaker at the Tax, Finance & Accounting Conference for Cooperatives (TFACC).

Larry Andrews, MBA, CTP, Chief Administrative and Finance Officer, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Larry Andrews is the Chief Administrative & Finance Officer for Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC). His impressive journey within REC has seen him take on various pivotal roles, each contributing to his extensive experience and expertise. Prior to his current position, Andrews served as Manager of Administrative Services for 4 years and Director of Finance & Accounting for 6 years. Prior to that, he was REC’s Treasury and Financial Services Specialist for over 8 years. He spent three years prior to being hired by REC as a coordinator of contracts and budgets for Intellisource, an information technology company that supported REC. Andrews gained valuable financial experience during the ten years prior to Intellisource by working in the savings and loan industry. Andrews holds a bachelor of science in business management from Virginia Tech. He earned his master of business administration from the University of Mary Washington in May 2011. He graduated from the Virginia Bankers Association School of Bank Management as an honor graduate in 1995. Andrews is a certified treasury professional (CTP) as designated by the Association for Financial Professionals. Andrews also served on the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives’ Electric Cooperative Chapter Board from 2011 to 2022. He is a competent communicator (CC) with Toastmasters International.

MEET OUR DISCUSSION LEADERS - TAX + A&A EXCHANGE

Rebecca Thoune, CP, Signing Director, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA)
Rebecca Thoune is the Sidnging Director at CLA and has an extensive background in providing tax planning and compliance for privately held companies, serving primarily cooperatives and the agribusiness industry. She works with clients on federal and state strategic tax planning, equity planning and management, maximizing cooperative and patron benefits, business structure consulting, and provides representation before the IRS and other state taxing authorities.

Rebecca has 23+ years of tax experience in public accounting and has held various tax leadership roles throughout her career. Rebecca has spoken to various local and national organizations on technical tax topics such as the principles of cooperative taxation, tax planning and reform, equity management, COVID relief including PPP loans & forgiveness, and various state tax matters. Rebecca serves as the cooperative national tax director for CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. She is a frequent presenter at Tax, Finance & Accounting Conference for Cooperatives (TFACC) and is currently serving as the Chair of the NSAC Tax Committee.

Nick L. Mueting, CPA, Managing Shareholder, Lindburg Vogel Pierce Faris, Chtd.
Nick Mueting is a Certified Public Accountant and managing shareholder with the auditing firm of Lindburg Vogel Pierce Faris, Chartered in the Dodge City, Kansas office. Nick works mainly in the agricultural cooperative industry as an external auditor and has special interest in internal controls and risk management. Nick is a Past National President for NSAC, is a frequent presenter at Tax, Finance & Accounting Conference for Cooperatives (TFACC),and currently serves as the Chair of the Accounting & Auditing Committee.

Eric Gillam, CPA, Partner, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP
Erik Gillam is a CPA and partner at Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP. He joined Aldrich in 2004 and has spent his entire career focused on providing assurance audits,reviews and compilations to agricultural cooperatives. Erik leads the agribusiness niche at Aldrich. As a leading agribusiness consultant, Erik has experience working with a range of agricultural-related clients from small family-operated farms to large cooperative organizations that are owned by farmer members. Erik works with company owners to understand their financial situation and help them improve on processes. Erik graduated from Corban University. Erik is currently serving as the NSAC National Vice-President and Past Chair of the Accounting & Auditing Committee.