JAY BREIDINGER CPA

North St. Paul

Jay was born in Spencer, IA and graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He has over 35 years of public accounting experience and 30 years as partner at Thorsen, Breidinger & Novak. He specializes in small business consulting, tax and accounting services. He has also served on various non-profit boards over the last 20 year and serviced as treasurer. He currently serves on the board of PAI as treasurer.

Jay and his wife Tami have two daughters, Paige and Olivia. Jay enjoys golf, racquetball and pickleball and traveling to see their daughters.

DESIGNATIONS AND LICENSURES

• Certified Public Accountant, Minnesota

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (MNCPA)
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Devin Stapf

Senior Accountant, CPA

Devin has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and specializes in individual, S-corporation, partnership, C-corporation, and trust tax returns. He also consults with businesses and individuals on tax and financial issues. Devin was born and raised in Minnesota. After a few years out of state for college he returned to earn his master’s degree and now resides in Eagan, MN.

In his free time, Devin enjoys reading, spending time with family, and cheering on the Vikings!

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of South Dakota
• Masters of Business Taxation, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (MNCPA)

Jordan Olson, CPA

Jordan has been in public accounting for 29 years, providing a wide range of accounting and tax services for both individuals and small business clients.

Outside of the office he enjoys traveling, bowling, reading, watching football, long walks and spending time with his three grown sons and his husband Tyler.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting – St. Cloud State University

DESIGNATIONS AND LICENSURES

• Certified Public Accountant, MN

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Minnesota Society Of Certified Public Accountants (MNCPA)

Krista Herum

Krista has held positions such as accounts payable and staff accountant Krista currently also serves as treasurer on a board of a non-profit since 2002. Krista specializes in small business accounting and tax returns, payroll, non-profit audits, personal tax returns.

Krista grew up and currently lives in River Falls, WI. Married with a daughter, cares for foster children and foster dogs. In her spare time, Krista and her husband love working on their home and collector cars.

EDUCATION

• University of River Falls WI Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with a minor in business

Sue Gaither

Sue joined the Haga Kommer team January 2025 with 24 years of experience in accounting, payroll and administration. She enjoys the variety of assignments in her role as office administrator as well as being the team’s go-to resource.

Sue lived in Montana for many years before moving back to the metro area in 2014. She enjoys golf, travel, and family.

Christopher Thorsen

Senior Accountant, CPA

Chris is a lifelong resident of North St. Paul Minnesota. He graduated from North High School in 1975. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in accounting in 1979. He has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant since he passed the CPA exam in 1981.

Outside of work Chris enjoys participating in the shooting sports, primarily sporting clays during the spring and summer months. During the fall he spends as much time as he can hunting ruffed grouse and pheasants with his beloved Springer Spaniels.

Chris and his wife Nancy have enjoyed raising two sons and a daughter in North St. Paul where they continue to be active in the town where he grew up.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Arts Degree - College of St. Thomas, St. Paul MN – May 1979 Major in Accounting

DESIGNATIONS AND LICENSURES

• Certified Public Accountant

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• AICPA
• MNCPA

Mark D. Novak CPA

Mark has been in public accounting for over 35 years. His specialties inclued audit and accounting for closely held companies and small business tax. He was a shreholder for over 20 years with Thorsen, Breidinger & Novak, P.A. until their merger with Haga Kommer in January 2025.

Mark and his wife Amy have two children, Rachel & Riley. Outside of work he enjoys watching his daughters play softball & hockey, unting, fishing, and spending time at the lake.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science, Accounting - Minnesota State University, Mankato

DESIGNATIONS AND LICENSURES

• Certified Public Accountant, Minnesota

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (MNCPA)
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Aaron Woell

Aaron was born in Fargo, ND but grew up in Illinois. He moved to Minnesota in 2014 and has over 13 years of experience in public and private accounting. Before joining public accounting, Aaron served as an employment law attorney for Menard, Inc.

Aaron spends his time outside of work riding his motorcycles, traveling, and going to the gym.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science – Iowa State University
• Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting – University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
• Juris Doctor – Northern Illinois University

DESIGNATIONS AND LICENSURES

• IL Bar
• MN Bar

Ashley Blackstone

Ashley started in 2022 as a seasonal employee and moved into a permanent position after tax season doing bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes. Before working with Haga Kommer, Ashley primarily worked in the health care field.

When Ashley is not working, she enjoys spending time with her dog Kona who she brings to the office daily. If she isn’t with Kona, Ashley enjoys spending time with her friends and family.