Experience

John is a Senior Manager with over 40 years of experience.  He began in public accounting in 1981 after an internship with a large national CPA firm in their Detroit office and graduating from Central Michigan University when he joined a firm in Grand Rapids in the Audit & Accounting department.  After five years, he left public accounting to continue developing his career in private industry. John held the positions of firm administrator at an 18‑attorney law firm and then controller/office manager at a large independent insurance agency.  In September 1991, John returned to public accounting, joining Walburg + Associates in Grand Haven and worked there for the next 25 years.  He joined Brickley DeLong in 2017 when Walburg + Associates merged into Brickley DeLong.

John has worked with clients in a variety of industries over the years but has focused primarily on the construction industry; including heavy/highway, excavators, home builders, subcontractors, trade contractors, and others.  He provides audit and accounting services, management advisory and consulting services, and strategic business and tax planning, to closely-held businesses and individuals.  He serves on the firms’ Audit & Accounting Committee and helps the firm and clients implement new accounting standards.

John and his wife Laura do life in Grand Haven.  They have three grown daughters and their spouses who live all around the world.  John enjoys playing trumpet in the Scottville Clown Band, and serves as President/Treasurer for the Christian student-led campus ministry First Priority of the Lakeshore.  He also enjoys playing cards, golf, pickleball, table tennis, running and biking, among other activities.  He has completed RAGBRAI (Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) multiple times.

Education and Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Central Michigan University, 1981
Licensed Certified Public Accountant, Michigan, 1984
Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional, 2009

Professional and Civic Organizations

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants (CICPAC)
Institute of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals (ICCIFP)
Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA)
First Priority of the Lakeshore – President/Treasurer
Scottville Clown Band – the Trumpeting Jester
Lakeshore Lutheran Fellowship Church – variety of positions and leadership roles