Accounting & Finance Division

I have enjoyed recruiting accounting and finance professionals for corporations in Omaha and throughout the upper Midwest for more than 30 years. I joined Robert Half International in 1988 and was promoted to Director in 1993. In 1998, I earned their "Chairman's Club" award for leadership. In February 2000, I made the decision to "live my dream" and founded Hemphill Search Group, following with Hemphill Staffing Solutions in 2001. I am proud of our team, the progress we've made to date, and I am even more excited about our future growth!

I understand that a company is only as strong as the players it has on the field. I am passionate about understanding each client's business, culture, and growth objectives, so we can identify the individuals who will ultimately help our clients achieve their goals. Our reputation is "on the line" each time we assist a client in hiring a new employee. We take the time to make sure that we have found the "right match" so that each candidate we place is well positioned for success. Since excellence always endures and remains long after cost is forgotten, our team is squarely focused on delivering quality solutions the first time. Because our Firm is built upon a foundation of strong values, I know that taking the "high road" and "doing the right thing" consistently are the cornerstones to lasting business relationships.

I grew up in Griswold, Iowa, and graduated from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. During my undergraduate studies I was a member of the football team and Students In Free Enterprise. I later completed the Entrepreneurial Masters Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). I am an active supporter of Financial Executives International (FEI) and I am a proud member of The Association for Corporate Growth of Nebraska (ACG Nebraska). I am a Charter Member of the Nebraska Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), where I served several years on their Board of Directors. As a Director of the American Association of Finance and Accounting (AAFA), the oldest and largest alliance of executive search firms specializing in the recruitment and staffing of Finance and Accounting professionals, I gain exposure to national issues and trends. I have served as a member of the Alumni Board of Buena Vista University where I am committed to giving back to the students and leadership team of Buena Vista University. I am also an active member of Westside Church in Omaha.

My wife Susie and I have four children, Cameron, Austin, Miles and Carmel.

Bret is an accounting professional with experience in both public accounting and the financial management of a manufacturing company.  At Hemphill, Bret’s focus is helping leaders select talented individuals within all areas of accounting, finance, FP&A, tax, audit, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. 

Bret takes pride in his role while investing the time and analysis to ensure we have identified “the right match - the first time”.  The work is important, challenging, fun, and rewarding. Bret enjoys utilizing his own experience within accounting and financial management to better understand the specifics of the position being filled and the type of person who will be happy in the position.  The key to our success is our in-depth understanding of the position that needs to be filled, then being diligent while identifying the individual with strengths and interests that align with the needs of the company. It is important that we place an individual into a position where they are doing the type of work they are great at and the type of work, culture, values, and team they love.  It is also important to have alignment between the needs and opportunities available in the business with the short- and long-term career goals of the person we have selected for the position. When we have identified the right match, the individual we placed is successful, exceeding expectations, happy, and feeling a sense of accomplishment while making a real difference in the success of the company.

Bret shared: “We are passionate about helping leaders hire an individual well positioned for success.  It feels great knowing we have helped the leader create a stronger team where the co-workers are glad to have a high quality teammate, and the individual we placed is proud of their contribution to the success of the company. It is very rewarding to help individuals identify and select the position that leads them to success, happiness, and a rewarding long-term career with an excellent company.” 

Bret grew up in Canyon Texas which is just south of Amarillo.  Bret earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, and a Master in Professional Accounting at West Texas A&M University.  Bret started his career in public accounting, then stepped into a leadership role for Texas Farm Bureau where he led a staff, budgets, financial oversight, and lobbying at the state capital in Austin, Texas, and ultimately Washington, D.C.  Bret relocated to Omaha and worked in accounting and financial management for a manufacturing and distribution company before joining Hemphill in 2016.  Bret is an athlete and a huge college football fan. He played basketball throughout high school, loves nature, hiking, fly fishing, and the adrenalin rush of skiing the Rocky Mountains.  Bret is an active member of the Omaha Young Professionals, Omaha Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Joslyn Young Art Patrons.  Bret and his wife Alexandra enjoy hanging out in downtown Omaha, spending quality time in Dundee, Benson, Little Italy, and many of Omaha’s unique neighborhoods. Bret and Alexandra share a passion for travel, so be sure to ask him about the more than 25 countries they have enjoyed exploring.

After more than two years in public accounting as a member of the audit team at BKD, LLP (now FORVIS), Austin shifted his career to a position that blends his accounting and business experience with his passion to deliver solutions that have a positive impact for others. At Hemphill Search Group, Austin helps leaders hire impressive individuals at all levels of accounting, finance, tax, audit, financial reporting, financial systems, fixed assets, budgeting, forecasting, bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and payroll.

While in public accounting, Austin audited small, mid-sized, and large corporations in a variety of industries.  His experience in public accounting combined with the discipline to gain an in-depth understanding of the position being filled, the skills, experience, and personality needed to be successful and happy in the position and company is a secret to his success.  Austin is passionate about finding the “the right match - the first time” and shared: “This is important work, and I really enjoy placing an individual into a position where I know they will be successful and genuinely happy while adding value to our client and their new team of co-workers.”  

Austin spends 100% his time helping leaders hire high quality individuals well matched for success and happiness. Helping a leader hire a high performing individual makes a very positive impact for the leader, the team of co-workers, and the person we placed!  Austin shared: “It is incredibly rewarding to call the person we placed 6, 9, and 12 months later to hear they are having a lot of success, proud of their contribution to the company, and hearing they are having fun and truly happy in the position, company, and culture we helped them identify.”   

Austin grew up in the greater Omaha area and graduated from Gretna High School. While in high school, Austin wrestled, played varsity football & baseball, and he was a two time state champion powerlifter.  While in college, Austin played football for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a student athlete, Austin was added to the Dean’s List, and the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Minor in Management.  He was named to the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team.  Austin volunteered and helped raise awareness and money for pediatric brain cancer research through his involvement in the Nebraska Football Road Race.  He supported those in need at the St. Anthony’s Homeless Shelter, others through the Husker Heroes Outreach program, and several school and hospital outreach programs. Austin is an active member of the University of the Nebraska N Club and the Letterman’s Association. As a former Husker, Austin is actively mentoring current student athletes and members of the University of Nebraska Football team through the mentoring program TeamMates.  He is a member of the Association of Corporate Growth, the Internal Audit Association, and Austin regularly attends Love Church in West Omaha.

Austin’s interest in business started at an early age when he started Austin Enterprises a lawn mowing, snow removal, and landscaping business at age 12.  Austin operated the small business for 11 years through junior high, high school, and college. Austin is an outgoing individual who loves athletics, travel, hiking, being outdoors, and making memories with friends and family. He also recently finished his first full marathon.

Jeannie is in charge of “first impressions” and is a proud member of the administrative support team at Hemphill.  In this role, Jeannie works closely with all members of the Hemphill team to ensure each guest has an excellent experience, knows we genuinely care about them, and are eager to help.  She truly loves building relationships with clients, candidates, and Hemphill associates working at client locations.  Jeannie manages a wide variety of administrative responsibilities.  She administers the assessment surveys and selection tools that help Hemphill get selection and match analysis right the first time.  Jeannie also completes research, analysis, event planning, and marketing initiatives.

Jeannie is an outgoing individual who enjoys helping others, so her days are filled with opportunities to make a positive impact for our clients, the individuals we are assisting with career management, and Hemphill associates working at client locations.  Jeannie shared “I enjoy working with individuals from all walks of life.  We work with individuals at all stages of their careers, from those who are just starting out, to others who have a wealth of experience and prefer the flexibility that consulting projects offer.  Some are proactively managing a search, while others are doing well in their career, yet open to better opportunities.  There is a sense of fulfillment knowing we make a difference while helping them in their journey, including those that are relocating to the area. It’s very exciting every time we create the right match!”

Jeannie grew up in Carroll, Iowa.  She built an educational foundation at the University of Iowa, then moved to Omaha where she was the Executive Director of the Omaha Builders Exchange, before shifting her focus to her family and serving children as a preschool teacher.  Later, Jeannie enjoyed her time in staffing while working in the Human Resources department of Commercial Federal Bank.  Prior to joining Hemphill, Jeannie was an Administrative Assistant then Grants Manager for The Sherwood Foundation.  Jeannie is a Member of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, a proud Mother of Jessica, Jayme, Michael, Maggie, and Mark, and a fun Grandma to Andrew, Alaina, Cecelia, and Lilly.  Jeannie enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending concerts, travel, scuba diving, dancing, and girls craft weekends.