Pat Plamann
Outstanding Contributor Award
Corey Butler, MNCPA communications manager | October/November 2024 Footnote
There are those who hear the call for help and respond by giving some of their time.
Then there’s Pat Plamann.
Pat, the managing partner of Schlenner Wenner in St. Cloud, is a recipient of this year’s Outstanding Contributor Award for his Herculean effort of engaging with state lawmakers this past year to make a positive impact on the accounting profession and the businesses and clients members serve.
Last fall while attending an MNCPA meeting for firm managers of the state’s largest firms, he was met with an update on the ongoing broadening the pathways initiative at the Minnesota Capitol and the importance for the state’s accounting leaders to be involved.
Following that meeting, Pat scheduled meetings with representatives and senators who serve the districts where Schlenner Wenner has offices — St. Cloud, Monticello and Little Falls. He met them in his office, at their offices and anywhere and anytime they were available to speak about the accounting talent pipeline issue and its ripple effect through our communities.
“It was a great experience,” Pat said of meeting with the lawmakers. “I was very impressed with how much they seemed to care.”
Pat followed that up by driving to St. Paul in late February for the annual CPA Day at the Capitol. There, dozens of MNCPA members heard from state leaders and connected with legislators to talk about the issues important to them, their clients and the businesses they serve.
On the docket for Pat? Nine scheduled meetings and, while waiting for one legislator to show up, he chatted with another lawmaker, who doesn’t represent any of the areas of Schlenner Wenner.
“It was exhilarating,” Pat said of navigating the streets, corridors and crowds of the Capitol grounds. “I went up the stairs a lot. I was tired by the end of it.”
Pat’s involvement this past year has kickstarted increased efforts within his firm, being better prepared to advocate for clients, better serve the profession and to model good citizenship.
His tireless commitment to advancing the CPA profession exemplifies the impact resolute individuals can have on supporting and shaping legislation.
Pat encourages all MNCPA members to get involved in however works for you.
“It’s good for all of us to be engaged in our communities and this is just one way to do it.”
