in 2023, HBE welcomed our largest group of students yet to our comprehensive, paid internship program. These individuals have been working alongside our professional staff to gain real-world experience.
LANCE ACKER
Lance Acker, from Blair, NE, began interning at HBE in January of 2023. He is currently a Sophomore at Metropolitan Community College.
Hobbies: Lifting, movies, and spending time with friends.
Fun fact: I learned how to make origami.
Why did you choose accounting? I really enjoy doing puzzles and accounting is kind of like a giant puzzle.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would want to go to Ireland and see all of the beautiful coasts.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would want super speed that way I don’t have to drive anymore.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I enjoy watching movies and hanging out with my friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Embrace the lows of life because they make way for all of the highs.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? My favorite parts are everything that I am learning that I would never learn in a classroom and the employees that are all super helpful.
BEN BAUSBACK
Ben Bausback, from Omaha, NE, began interning at HBE in January in 2023. He is currently a Junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Watching my favorite sports teams (Husker football, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Heat), spending time with friends/family, and traveling.
Fun fact: I don’t know how, but I do not get bug bites.
Why did you choose accounting? I really like the variety of work you get when you join the accounting field.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would go to Rome to see the Colosseum.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would be able to fly so that I can travel anywhere.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I like to exercise, go outside, or watch sports.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best advice is to meet as many people as you can and do not be afraid as everyone has been in the same position as myself.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? I think that the people are amazing and I never have to hesitate to seek help when I have questions.
KAIDEN BEDIENT
Kaiden Bedient, from Lincoln, NE, began interning at HBE in January of 2023. He is currently a Sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Traveling, Golf, Basketball, Reading, Board/Card games.
Fun fact: I have been to 2 other countries.
Why did you choose accounting? I chose accounting to learn the process by which companies take when preparing and filing taxes. I hope to use what I learn to help business owners in the future take advantage of different opportunities available to them through the tax process.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would travel to Europe for a couple of weeks because I am very interested in exploring the views, history, and the food of several countries in Europe.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Superhuman strength.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Going to coffee shops with friends and playing games or just hanging out. I also like to do a lot of stuff in the outdoors when it is warmer out.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The habits you form now are going to be ones that are still engrained in you five years from now, so be the human you want to be tomorrow, today.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? My favorite part of HBE has been the people. It is an awesome work environment and has been a very easy and smooth transition into working here because of the willingness to help by every staff member here.
LANDON BLAIR
Landon Blair, from Lincoln, NE, began interning at HBE in January of 2023. He is currently a Junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Watching Sports/ Hanging out with friends.
Fun fact: I was born in Phoenix.
Why did you choose accounting? I got into accounting my sophomore year of high school along with Finance because I enjoy investing/managing money.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would go to Italy because I have heard it is one of the best places to travel abroad.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would want to be able to fly.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I like to spend time with my family and friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Never stop trying to learn as much as you can.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? Everyone was very welcoming and makes working around them fun.
OLESSIA DERUN
Olessia Derun, from Waverly, NE, began interning at HBE in December of 2021. She is currently a Senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Playing tennis.
Fun fact: I have a puppy named Clifford.
Why did you choose accounting? I have always liked numbers and I took an accounting class in high school that I really enjoyed.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would travel to Australia so I can experience all the wildlife.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I wish I could fly.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I enjoy spending time outdoors as well as quality time with my family.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best advice I have been given is in order to learn, I need to take time to just sit with the information. It is best to learn through experience.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? I have been able to experience all departments of HBE and I really love how willing to help everyone is!
JUD HIXSON
Jud Hixson, from Randolph, NE, began interning at HBE in September of 2021. He is currently in his last semester of graduate school.
Hobbies: Sports, Video Games, Studying for the CPAs.
Fun fact: I was once a garbage man before HBE (yes, riding on the back of the garbage truck is very cool).
Why did you choose accounting? Dad was my accounting teacher in high school. Mom is the CFO of Providence Medical Center in Wayne, NE. Worked out well for them, why not me too?
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I took a study abroad trip to Innsbruck, Austria, and Prague, Czech Republic. I would love to go back.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would like to be able to read minds.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Watch sports and play video games.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? You can always improve on something, there will never be a point where you cannot improve on something about you.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? Everyone here has been so nice and willing to help me out when I need it.
ZACH HOSEK
Zach Hosek, from Lincoln, NE began interning at HBE in January of 2022. He is currently a Senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Sports, games with friends.
Fun fact: I’ve been in Nebraska’s marching band the past four years.
Why did you choose accounting? My dad and uncle are accountants, so I took a class in high school and really enjoyed it.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Alaska, I’ve been there once before and I feel like there is still so much to see there.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Teleportation, so I wouldn’t have to deal with driving everywhere.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Watching sports and hanging out with my roommates.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Life is not so much as you accomplish as what you overcome”
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? The independence that we are given, it feels like I’m already an accountant!
MORGAN JIROVSKY
Morgan Jirovsky, from Omaha, NE, began interning at HBE in 2023. She is currently a Sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Working out, traveling, baking, and shopping.
Fun fact: I volunteer weekly at a local Lincoln nursing home. I love interacting with the residents and getting to know them.
Why did you choose accounting? I chose accounting because I enjoy working with numbers, solving problems, and there are lots of different opportunities in the accounting career field.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? If I could travel anywhere, I would travel to the Nordic Region, because of the stunning scenery, the unique culture and impressive architecture.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? It would be very helpful to instantly know the language of any country I travel to.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I like getting up early and working out, spending time with family or friends, and cooking something delicious for dinner!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best piece of advice given to me is to live by the Golden Rule…do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? My favorite part of HBE is the people! Everybody is kind and helpful and I am very grateful to be a part of HBE.
AIDAN LUKASIK
Aidan Lukasik, from San Diego, CA, began interning at HBE in January of 2023. He is currently a Sophomore at Creighton University.
Hobbies: Hiking, surfing, movies.
Fun fact: I broke the same arm twice in one year.
Why did you choose accounting? I like solving puzzles.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Argentina for the nature and the people.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Control of time.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Getting outside and time with people I care about.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Just say yes to things.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? The close culture.
ALEX NGUYEN
Alex Nguyen, from Lincoln, NE, began interning at HBE in January of 2023. He is currently a Sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Lifting, Playing the Mellophone, Rock Climbing.
Fun fact: I’m a Thespian.
Why did you choose accounting? Accounting was my first choice and I find it really interesting to understand how a business operates. I also believe the career is more people-oriented than only numbers and spreadsheets and so I found myself really enjoying the ideal of helping others. I think there are great opportunities to explore the world of accounting.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? I would travel to Tokyo, because of all the cool innovations they have over there.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would be able to speak, read, & write in every language.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? It’s a quote from Maya Angelou my speech coach always said. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)?Mathew Hoffman and his hilarious jokes when he pops in my office space.
SARAH PHARES
Sarah Phares, from North Platte, NE, began interning at HBE in January of 2022. She is currently a Junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Reading, Crochet, Refinishing Furniture.
Fun fact: I was the Best “Man” in my brother’s wedding last summer!
Why did you choose accounting? I have always really liked math and enjoyed working with numbers.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Ireland! It is so beautiful and has so much history to explore.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? To teleport. Who cares about traffic when you can just teleport?
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I like to spend time with my friends either watching movies or out in nature.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “It is ok to fall as long as you get back up again.” – my dad.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? I really enjoy working alongside so many other interns!
JAMES SNYDER
James Snyder, from Lincoln, NE, began interning at HBE in August on 2022. He is currently a Junior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Hobbies: Golf, Fishing, Hanging out with Friends, Traveling, Snowboarding, Concerts.
Fun fact: I have been to 3 continents.
Why did you choose accounting? I really want to grasp a better understanding of the tax system in America and help individuals evaluate and complete their taxes.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Bora Bora. I have always wanted to go there and the water there is crystal blue.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Super strength, because I think it would be fun to be strong.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? I enjoy golfing and hanging with buddies and traveling.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Set others before you and the right things will happen.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? I have really enjoyed how patient and inclusive everyone is here, no one is to busy to help when you have questions. I also have really enjoyed my the opportunities I have been given to learn and work independently.
MOLLY STEWART
Molly Stewart, from Minnesota, began interning for HBE in January of 2023. She is currently a Junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and watching Netflix.
Fun fact: I have two sisters
Why did you choose accounting? I chose admin because I like the overview/ the day to day things.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Fiji or Bora Bora because its so pretty and I want to stay in one of those house on the water!
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Ability to fly.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Hanging out with friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Don’t care what other people think.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? The people!
MATTHEW WATTS
Matthew Watts, from Omaha, NE, began interning at HBE in January of 2023. He is currently a Junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hobbies: Watching movies/shows, watching/playing sports, golf.
Fun fact: My family and I are St. Louis Cardinal fans.
Why did you choose accounting? Very good teacher in high school which made me want to learn more about accounting and how it works.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Ireland. My grandparents have gone a couple times and have said it is one of the nicest/prettiest places they have visited.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? I would want to be able to time travel to see different times in history for myself.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Either going home to visit my parents if I have a free weekend or finding something new to do/try with my roommates.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Having my 6th grade science teacher tell me I had too bright of a future to hang around my current friends helped put me on a better path.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? My favorite part of HBE is the people. It makes work more fun and everyone has been helpful with all of my questions so far.
JACK WILLIS
Jack Willis, from Omaha, NE, began interning for HBE in January of 2023. He is currently a Senior at Doane University.
Hobbies: Golf, watching football, baseball.
Fun fact: I played 3 years of college baseball.
Why did you choose accounting? My sophomore year of college my accounting professor asked me what I wanted to do after college and when I said no clue, she told me she was going to keep putting me in accounting classes until I figured it out. Eventually I realized that I did not mind the work and was halfway decent at it, so I decided to pursue it.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? The Caribbean because I have always wanted to go.
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Teleportation.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off work/school? Go golfing, sleeping in.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? You can’t succeed if you don’t try.
What is your favorite part of HBE (so far)? The willingness of everyone to answer questions or help if needed.
