Friday Breakfast Programs Season Pass

Michael Gregory, Senior Counsel, Husch Blackwell LLP

Michael focuses on defending labor and employment matters, with an emphasis on discrimination and Title VII issues. He handles all phases of litigation and discovery—all the way through trial when necessary—representing clients in both federal and state courts as well as before administrative or governmental agencies. In addition to discrimination cases, Michael also handles matters involving harassment, retaliation, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and wage and hour violations. Alongside litigation, he devotes a significant portion of his practice to advising on compliance and preventative strategies, helping companies address workplace issues before they become disputes.

Michael particularly values the advisory side of his work. He enjoys working directly with clients, building relationships over time, and learning their businesses so well that he can readily anticipate and help prevent potential problems. Michael is committed to a team approach, working alongside clients to achieve practical solutions.

Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Michael devoted the first decade of his career to government service, supporting the Offices of the General Counsel at the Social Security Administration and later the Environmental Protection Agency. His roles focused on labor and employment litigation for both agencies, as well as administrative hearings related to Social Security benefits—an experience that gave him insight into both sides of disputes, helping him approach cases with empathy and a focus on resolution. Michael has significant experience advocating for clients at trial, before administrative and governmental agencies, and on appeal, and he has first-chaired trials and arbitration hearings involving discipline, discrimination, retaliation, leave, wage, and other labor matters arising from disputes under collective bargaining agreements. His time with the government also gave him a firsthand perspective on the in-house work of advising organizational leaders and working closely with management at all levels.

Michael is known for his calm under pressure, his ability to adapt quickly when matters take an unexpected turn, and his extraordinary preparation: he knows that trials often turn on minor details. Most of all, clients appreciate that he makes the legal process approachable and straightforward. Michael understands that litigation is stressful and often unfamiliar, and he meets clients where they are, ensuring they feel at ease. By creating a comfortable environment, he helps clients and witnesses participate confidently and effectively, ensuring they are as helpful as possible to the case.

Richard Krueger, Principal, National Assurance, CLA

Overview Rick serves as CLA’s Managing Principal of Transformation, where he leads the firm’s enterprise-wide strategy to evolve how services are delivered. His work focuses on aligning people, processes, and technology to create valuable and innovative client experiences, all anchored in our promise to know and help our clients. By advancing AI adoption, workflow automation, digital platforms, data strategy, and operational excellence, CLA ensures these capabilities translate into value for our clients including personalized insights, fast and transparent delivery, and a consistent and proactive experience for clients. With a background in assurance and consulting, Rick brings a practical, service-driven perspective to transformation.

Education Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting, University of Wisconsin Whitewater

In the community Board Member at CLA Foundation

Sherron Permashwar, Founder, The Modern Savvy CPA, LLC

Sherron Permashwar, CPA, PFS, is a Wealth Strategist, Financial Mindset Speaker, and founder of The Modern Savvy CPA, LLC. As a Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist with nearly three decades of experience, she brings technical financial expertise together with practical, real-life strategy.

Sherron is known for translating complex financial concepts into clear and relatable guidance that audiences can apply. Her work goes beyond the numbers to explore the mindset, behaviors, communication skills, and relationships that influence financial decisions and long-term outcomes.

Through engaging storytelling and practical tools, she helps individuals and professionals move from overwhelm to clarity, from reactive decisions to intentional action, and from traditional number-focused roles to greater strategic influence. She has presented for professional and leadership audiences, including AICPA and CIMA events.