Cheryl Applegate

Results-driven accountant with over 20 years experience in financial statement preparation and review, tax compliance, and management of team players working together. Well-versed in producing reports, evaluating department operations and handling month- and year-end closings. Poised, sharp, and analytical problem solver with excellent customer and peer relations aptitude. Driven to provide sound judgment to positively impact company success. Meticulous, conscientious and methodical in approach.

While my resume speaks volumes about my experience and education in the world of accounting, it says nothing about what is most important in any success story – character. Similarly, while a background check speaks volumes about the black and white of a bleak and dark situation, it says nothing about what is most important in any character building experience – growth.

I was born and raised in a very small, very Catholic town west of Wichita, Colwich, KS. My parents and grandparents were all born and raised there as well - with family farms, families of 10 and 12 kids, and faith to feed a million souls. I went to grade school in Colwich, and graduated from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in 1992. My husband also graduated from Bishop Carroll, just a year before me.

After I ended my tenure with Decker Electric, where I worked closely with owner, Steve Decker, embezzlement charges were brought against me. I was held responsible for and convicted of manipulating incentive bonuses, travel expenses, retirement fund withdrawals, etc. paid out to employees (including myself), even though I did nothing without the verbal authority from the owner of the company.

Because I didn’t have the foresight to incorporate the internal controls (sign offs, ticks and ties) necessary, I was left “holding the bag” full of lies. Moreover, I was left with a big, giant felony theft charge on my otherwise unblemished record.

Fast forward to now – I would not be where I am in my walk with the Man upstairs, if I hadn’t been handed this cross and forced to dig deep into that foundation of faith and rise above.

So, there you have it. If you have read this far, I can only pray that my honesty in this situation has at least a little bit of voice in your decision of whether or not to give me a chance to show my true colors, despite what is printed in black and white on a background report.

Please, if you have any questions, concerns, or otherwise, I am an open book.