OUR DIRECTORS
Christine K. Hootman, CPA, Managing Director
Chris has over 30 years of professional experience with 25 years experience with Baden Gage & Schroeder, LLC. Her practice focuses on providing audit, consulting and litigation support services for manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors with revenues of $10 million to $150 million and for financial institutions. Chris spent 6 years with Ernst & Young LP, Toledo, Ohio focusing on audit, fraud detection and merger and acquisition services including related SEC reporting; and on audit and internal audit specialization in financial institutions.
Chris is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and the Ohio CPA Society. She is also a member of the Indiana Manufacturing Association and the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation. She was the Indiana CPA Society Chair Award Recipient in 2010. Chris is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of The Defiance College. Contact Chris at chootman@badencpa.com.
Jeffrey A. Sanderson, CPA, Director of Taxation
Jeff will analyze your tax situation to develop a strategy to minimize your tax burden. Jeff began his public accounting career in 1985 with Arthur Young & Company in Toledo, Ohio. He joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 1989. Jeff provides strategic tax planning services to companies in the manufacturing/distribution industry and other closely-held businesses. He regularly consults with companies that have multi-national and multi-state facilities to develop practical tax management strategies.
Jeff is a member of the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council, the Indiana Manufacturing Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors. He is a frequent speaker to various organizations including the Entrepreneurs Alliance of Northeast Indiana. Jeff is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and is a graduate of Indiana University/Purdue University in Fort Wayne. Contact Jeff at jsanderson@badencpa.com.
Brian D. Bowman, CPA, Director, Audit Division 
Brian began his career at Baden Gage & Schroeder in 1992. He provides clients with audit, accounting, income tax, budgeting and cash flow projections, merger and acquisition, and profit improvement services. He is a member of the firm's Manufacturing Services Group and provides services to manufacturing, distribution and service industry clients. He is also a member of the firm's Employee Retirement Plan Audit Services Group.
Brian is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and the Indiana Manufacturers Association. He is a member of the United Way of Allen County Audit Committee. Brian is a graduate of Indiana University. Contact Brian at bbowman@badencpa.com.
Michael R. Ziembo, CPA, Director, Audit Division
Mike joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 1995. He provides clients with audit, accounting, income tax, budgeting and cash flow projections, merger and acquisition, technology enhancement and profit improvement services. Mike is a member of the firm's Manufacturing Services Group and provides services to manufacturing, distribution and service industry clients.
Mike is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and the Indiana Manufacturers Association. He is Past President of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and serves on the boards of Erin's House for Grieving Children and the Neighborhood Health Clinic. Mike is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Contact Mike at mziembo@badencpa.com.
Kara M. Smith, CPA, Director, Tax Division
Kara has over 20 years of professional tax experience specializing in tax consulting and services. Her practice focuses on consultations in business structure, buy/sell scenarios, growth planning, estate planning, and tax reduction strategies.
Kara is an accounting graduate of Indiana University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. Kara is board member and past president for Mad Anthonys Children's Hope House, a member of WOWnet of Fort Wayne, and a member of the Women's Business Forum. Contact Kara at ksmith@badencpa.com.
Melissa J. Bradberry, CPA, Director, Tax Division
Melissa has over 17 years of professional tax experience. She joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2007. Her practice focuses on tax planning and consulting to companies and individuals. She has extensive industry knowledge with clients involved in medical industries, financial institutions, manufacturing and service industries.
Melissa has a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arkansas State University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana and Arkansas CPA Societies. Melissa volunteers as Board Treasurer for the Neighborhood Health Clinic, Inc. Contact Melissa at mbradberry@badencpa.com.
Shawn B. Sollenberger, CPA, Director, Audit Division
Shawn joined Baden, Gage & Schroeder in 2001. He was third in the State of Indiana's successful candidates for the May 2001 CPA examination. Shawn focuses his practice on privately held organizations in manufacturing, financial institutions, and distribution.
While committed to providing the highest quality service to our clients, Shawn also believes strongly in community service and mentoring. He is a dive instructor, the director of Fort Wayne Summer Dive League and serves as a board member of the Indiana International School of Diving and is the treasurer and executive board member of Project READS. Shawn has a master’s and bachelor’s degree in accounting from Manchester College. Contact Shawn at ssollenberger@badencpa.com.
OUR MANAGERS
Mike D. Smith, ASA, CFA, CVA, Senior Manager, Business Valuation Services
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Mike joined Baden, Gage & Schroeder in 2009 with nine years of business valuation experience. He provides business valuation, litigation support and consulting services to clients of closely-held businesses and small to medium-sized companies in various industry groups.
Mike has business valuation credentials from nationally recognized organizations including the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). He also holds a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation and earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2002. Mike is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He has provided mediation consulting and expert testimony to the courts in various jurisdictions involving shareholder dispute matters and marital dissolution proceedings. Mike is also a published author. He has articles in national valuation journals, such as Business Appraisal Practice and The Value Examiner, and speaks publicly on valuation related topics. Contact Mike at msmith@badencpa.com.
Linda K. Wellman, CPA, Senior Manager, Tax Division
Linda joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2012 with over 25 years of experience in public accounting. Her practice focuses on providing tax consultation services to individuals, non-profit organizations, partnerships and corporations.
Linda is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. She is a member of the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council and serves on the finance committee of the Boys and Girls Club. Linda is a graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. Contact Linda at lwellman@badencpa.com.
Melissa J. Wolf, CPA, Senior Manager, Tax Division
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Melissa joined Baden Gage & Schroeder with over 10 years of professional experience. She specializes in estate, trust and gift tax consulting services and manages tax engagements for clients with personal income, fiduciary income tax and gift tax service needs. She also has experience with Indiana personal property, foreign bank account reporting and IC-DISC compliance.
Melissa is a graduate of Indiana University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. Melissa serves as board president for the McMillen Center for Health Education and is a board member of Artlink. She is also involved in the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Women's Brunch Committee. She volunteers for Junior Achievement as a classroom teacher. Contact Melissa at mwolf@badencpa.com.
Amanda K. Garner, CPA, Senior Manager, Audit Division
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Amanda joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2005. She focuses on providing audit, accounting and consulting services to clients in manufacturing, financial institutions, construction and non-profit organizations.
Amanda is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. She is a graduate of Manchester College with a Master of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Amanda is a member of the Indiana Bankers' Association and the Institute of Internal Auditors. She also serves as treasurer for Kate’s Kart, Inc. Contact Amanda at agarner@badencpa.com
Sarah M. Richmond, CPA, Senior Manager, Audit Division
Sarah joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2012. She focuses on providing audit, accounting and consulting services to clients in manufacturing, financial institutions, construction and non-profit organizations. She is a member of the firm's Construction Industry Services Group.
Sarah is a graduate of Manchester College with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Accounting. She is a member of the Ameri
can Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and the Building Contractors Association of NE Indiana -- Young Professionals. Contact Sarah at srichmond@badencpa.com
Lisa M. Smith, CPA, Manager, Audit Division
Lisa has over 10 years of professional accounting experience and joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2004. She manages audits, reviews and other engagements for manufacturing, service and non-profit organizations. She is also a member of the firm's Non-Profit Services Group.
Lisa is a graduate of Manchester College with a Masters in Accountancy. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and serves as board treasurer for HOPE for Animals. Contact Lisa at lsmith@badencpa.com
Kelli L. Patch, CPA, Senior Manager, Audit Division
Kelli joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2008. She manages audit and other engagements for non-profit organizations, manufacturing, construction, service and financial institutions. She is a member of the firm's Non-Profit Services Group.
Kelli is a graduate of Manchester College with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and serves on the Finance and Audit Committee for the United Way of Allen County. Contact Kelli at kpatch@badencpa.com
Tyler M. Engstrom, CPA, Senior Manager, Tax Division
Tyler joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2014 specializing in tax and accounting services. His practice focuses on tax consultation for individuals, corporations, partnerships and nonprofit organizations. He is a member of the firm's Construction Industry Services Group.
Tyler earned his accounting degree from Indiana University and his Bachelors degree from the Bloomington Kelley School of Business. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and serves on the Finance Committee for the McMillen Center for Health Education. Contact Tyler at tengstrom@badencpa.com
Bryan T. Pehlke, CPA, Manager, Audit Division
Bryan joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2013 with prior accounting experience in manufacturing. He manages both audit and tax engagements for manufacturing, construction, financial institutions, and non-profit organizations. He is also a member of the firm's Employee Benefits Group.
Bryan is a graduate of Manchester College with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and serves on the Finance Committee for Fort Wayne Trails. Contact Bryan at bpehlke@badencpa.com
Benjamin D. Schenkel, CPA, Manager, Audit Division
Ben is a manager with Baden Gage & Schroeder, and he joined the firm in 2014 with over 10 years of manufacturing industry experience and six years serving in the US Air Force Reserve. He handles a variety of audit engagements in different industries including manufacturing, construction, service/wholesale and non-profit organizations. Ben also audits employee benefit plans for our clients.
Ben has a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. Contact Ben at bschenkel@badencpa.com
