Academy Bank

In my current role, I design and implement comprehensive audit programs and testing procedures to
ensure regulatory compliance and effective risk management. My role involves thoroughly reviewing
SOPs for adherence to banking regulations during internal audits and evaluating the work performed
by Staff I and II auditors to maintain high-quality standards.

Senior Internal Auditor

Eliassen Group

This role was meant to be for a long term contract, but was cut short due to budget cuts shortly after I
started. I conducted detailed walkthroughs, performed testwork for internal controls, and completed
thorough risk assessments to identify areas for improvement.

I efficiently tested over 20 controls in just one month and compiled comprehensive documentation for
processes and procedures to clearly explain steps to operational personnel. Additionally, I entered
control processes and background information into the SHRP recordkeeping system with a high
degree of accuracy, ensuring precise and reliable data management.

Senior Audit Consultant

Augustine Property Management / Third IV Properties

I tracked spending for multiple mobile home parks for various syndications and funds as well as oversaw the bank accounts for each of the different mobile home parks. I was responsible for supervising a team, where I managed the processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and daily journal entries to accurately calculate weekly and monthly P&L statements. I also performed monthly bank reconciliations, prepared financial statements, and handled tax preparation to ensure precise financial reporting.

My dedication and strong work ethic earned me the company’s Hard Worker Award 2X for
consistently going above and beyond to meet deadlines. Additionally, my efforts were recognized as
having the most organized department, thanks to the implementation of strict internal controls and
effective SOPs.

Director of Accounting

Kansas City Southern

While working for this company, I coordinated and executed SOX testing, freeing up staff
members to focus on other critical projects. I established and nurtured a key relationships with the Big 4
external audit team, which was instrumental in developing and implementing a successful reliance
strategy.

I also supervised the development of team members in Mexico, leading multiple strategic
internal audit projects that were delivered on time and within budget. My expertise also extended to
conducting Federal Regulatory Audits on three separate occasions, where I provided requested audit
training and walkthroughs to client departments, ensuring their compliance and success.

I revitalized workpaper documentation processes, aiding team members in developing essential audit knowledge. I prepared and hosted client walkthroughs, strengthening client relationships by gathering crucial evidence for risk mitigation and enhancing internal controls.

Internal Auditor II

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

I enhanced internal control processes over financial reporting, covering key areas such as claims operations, pharmacy benefits, and Medicare Advantage. I reviewed risk matrices to ensure controls effectively addressed perceived risks, while investigating variances to provide targeted recommendations for improvement. 

I also conducted SOC 1 and SOC 2 testing to ensure comprehensive control coverage, contributing to a stronger, more resilient control environment. Additionally, I collaborated with team members to document and streamline control processes, aligning operations with best practices.

Financial/Operational Auditor

OGE Energy Corp

While in this role, I facilitated SOX testing for taxes, compliance, and regulatory accounting, ensuring
accurate financial reporting and tax filing. I conducted special request audits for NERC, compliance,
regulatory rate cases, and coal inventory, applying deep industry knowledge and expertise.

I educated the team on key audit risks and performed variance analyses, sharing insights with
management to drive investigation and resolution. I also developed comprehensive audit plans and
provided actionable recommendations to various working groups, enhancing overall compliance and
operational efficiency.

Internal Auditor

AUDITOR AND INSPECTOR, OKLAHOMA OFFICE OF THE STATE

For this position, I maintained a high level of productivity and efficiency, effectively reducing the need
for additional team hires while working off site through strong time management, multitasking, and
communication skills. I guided financial and compliance audits for state agencies, providing crucial
education on GAAP and GAS standards. I also supported audit managers by streamlining client
requests and collecting samples for data analysis, ensuring thorough and accurate audit processes.

Staff Auditor

📚 Empowering Your Journey to Drive Real Estate Success through Unparalleled Bookkeeping Solutions for Optimal Organization | 🏠Real Estate Investor

As a Senior Internal Auditor, I specialize in navigating the complexities of audit engagements with a
keen eye for detail and a commitment to enhancing internal controls. With more than a decade of
hands-on experience in performing detailed risk assessments and analyzing both financial and
operational data, I excel at uncovering variances and crafting actionable recommendations. I’m skilled
in developing and executing audit strategies, leading audit teams, and effectively communicating
findings to senior management. With a strong foundation in regulatory compliance, internal controls,
and governance, I'm dedicated to fostering continuous improvement and ensuring organizational
integrity.

Feel free to connect with me here on LinkedIn or via email at andrewlharwell@gmail.com to network
or discuss employment opportunities!

Drew Harwell

Founder & CEO | Wisconsin Retail & Restaurant Expert | Mixed-Use Development | CRE Investor | National Speaker | WORLD MARATHON MAJORS: 2021 Berlin, 2022 London, 2023 Paris, 2023 Chicago, 2024 Boston, Goal = Tokyo 2025

10 Years as a Commercial Real Estate Advisor and Consultant including founding/operating ABSTRACT Commercial Real Estate LLC. A boutique full-service CRE firm located in downtown Madison, WI.  

Represented $151M of Mixed-Use Developments in WI. Intimate knowledge of downtown Madison, WI having lived in the area nearly 50 years. Chair of CCIM Wisconsin and Commercial Brokers Group, Inc. (CBG) and over six years on the Madison Business Improvement District (BID) Board. 

Represent Tenants, Landlords and Developers through skillful brokerage of NNN Leases, Investment Sales and Consultation services.

National Speaker on the topics of: Retail + Restaurants, Downtown Madison, WI and Mindset. 

Worldwide Marathon Runner.

Heather Ewing, CCIM

Trust isn’t a “nice-to-have” in commercial real estate—it's the compound interest that fuels long-term growth.

In a market where anyone can chase a one-off win, trust is what separates brokers who close deals from brokers who build legacies. It’s the quiet force that shapes repeat clients, off-market opportunities, and those phone calls that change the trajectory of your year.

I’ve seen it across downtown Madison, Dane County suburbs, and mixed-use corridors: when trust is present, everyone moves faster, clearer, and with far more confidence. Deals feel collaborative, not adversarial. Timelines compress. Risk decreases. Vision expands.

Chasing quick wins is for the inexperienced. It might make their month look good—but building trust makes the career unstoppable. Clients remember who showed up with integrity, transparency, and a steady hand when decisions were hard. That’s who they return to. That’s who they recommend. That’s who they build with. And in a market that changes as quickly as ours, trust is the only strategy that never stops appreciating.

If you’re exploring your next opportunity in Madison’s retail, restaurant, or investment landscape, let’s talk.

Lets connect to explore your next opportunity. DM me.

#CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #MadisonWI #TrustInBusiness

🏃🏼‍♀️Heather Ewing, CCIM 

Founder | CEO @ ABSTRACT Commercial Real Estate LLC. 10 Years of Retail, Restaurant + Mixed-Use Development Advisory. I negotiate NNN Leases, Sales and Investment Sales with winning results

There's a point in every marathon when excitement fades and discipline takes over. 

The same is true in commercial real estate. You start a deal full of energy, fresh listing, strong prospects, but somewhere in the middle, it gets quiet. The phone slows down. Negotiations stall. And that’s when most people stop showing up.

The brokers, owners, and developers who keep going through those quiet miles are the ones who eventually cross the finish line. Every signed lease, every sale, every milestone is a direct reflection of endurance.

When I look back at the markets that thrive, downtown Madison, Verona, Sun Prairie, it’s always the consistent operators who lead them. Momentum compounds.

Wherever you are this week whether it’s mile 3 or mile 23, keep moving. Endurance builds equity.

Looking for a partner who understands the long game in real estate? Send me a message today.

#MarathonMindset #CommercialSuccess #RealEstateEndurance #PersistencePaysOff #KeepPushingForward #ConsistencyIsKey #MarketMomentum #StrategicGrowth

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Leadership happens in motion—not just behind a desk. Whether it’s running before sunrise, walking a site, or working through strategy with our CCIM board, it’s a daily decision to show up with clarity and purpose.

Momentum builds confidence. Every step forward—even the small ones—signals commitment to growth and creates belief within yourself.

In the Downtown Madison BID, I’ve seen how consistent movement sparks new ideas and inspires entire blocks to evolve. Leadership isn’t a title. It’s traction. It’s motion. It’s choosing to keep going, even when the path is uphill.

DM me to explore your next opportunity.

#Leadership #CCIM #DowntownMadison #CommercialRealEstate #MadisonWI #CRELeadership #Mindset

Some restaurant spaces feel right the moment you walk in. 

113–119 S Main St in Oregon, Wisconsin is one of those rare finds. 4k SF of ready-to-operate potential, with a commercial kitchen, large wraparound bar, and an inviting layout built for connection.

The space sits in the heart of downtown Oregon - a community that thrives on local flavor, walkability, and tradition. From outdoor seating to private dining areas, the design allows for both intimacy and energy.

What makes it special isn’t just the space -it’s the setting. Surrounded by local businesses and minutes from Madison’s growing south corridor, this property bridges small-town charm with regional access.

If you’re an operator who understands that hospitality is storytelling, this is your next chapter waiting to be written.

#DreamRestaurant #LocationMatters #CommunityVibes #CulinarySpace #BusinessOpportunity #RealEstateInvestment #UrbanDining #FutureSuccess #CommercialSpaces #EntrepreneurialSpirit

The future of retail isn’t about size, it’s about connection.

In Madison, the highest performing corridors, State Street, E Wilson, Monroe, share a common thread: walkability. People want to park once, explore, and feel part of a story. That’s why mixed use projects and adaptive reuse buildings continue to lead leasing activity across Dane County.

As rates stabilize, tenants are prioritizing neighborhoods with density, visibility, and local energy. Developers who design around the pedestrian experience, not the parking ratio, are seeing stronger long term occupancy and ROI.

Walkability doesn’t just sell space, it creates value that compounds.

Want to position your project where demand is shifting? Contact me today.

#RetailTrends #UrbanLiving #CommunityConnection #MixedUseDevelopment #DesignForPeople #LocalVibes #SustainableBuilding #SmartGrowth

New episode alert.

I sat down with Ashley Cao, a Director at Old Capital Lending, to unpack the story behind her rise in one of the most competitive lending environments nationwide. Ashley has built a career rooted in intention and action, and she brings a refreshing level of honesty about what it really takes to grow in this industry.

In our conversation, she walks through the moments that shaped her path, the risks she took, and the strategies that helped her stay grounded while aiming higher. Her journey shows that resilience is not just about bouncing back, it is about staying committed even when the next step feels unclear.

We also dive into the mindset needed to build momentum in CRE and lending. Ashley shares practical insights on networking, positioning yourself as a valuable partner, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them to appear. Her perspective is especially powerful for anyone navigating transitions or trying to level up with intention.

Whether you are in commercial real estate, lending, or simply searching for inspiration for your next move, this episode will remind you that growth is always possible when you choose it on purpose. It is a conversation filled with clarity, strategy, and the kind of motivation that stays with you long after listening.

🎧 Catch Episode 72 today: https://lnkd.in/gH_3mKvx

#Podcast #CareerDevelopment #businesspodcast #crepodcast #WomenInBusiness #RealEstateInvesting #Entrepreneurship #IntentionDriven #ResilienceBuilding #StrategicGrowth

Every business owner eventually outgrows their space, or realizes they need one that adapts to them. That is the story behind 631 Struck St, a1500 SF commercial condo for sale or lease on Madison’s west side.

The space offers significant natural light, a mezzanine, and flexible zoning that supports retail, office, or creative uses. It is close to US 12-14 and West Towne Mall, giving it both access and visibility.

What stands out about this property is its potential. In a market where larger spaces are sitting, smaller adaptable footprints are thriving. It is an opportunity for owner users or investors who understand that efficiency creates profitability.

If your business is ready to level up or simplify, this property is worth your attention.

Want to see if 631 Struck St fits your next move? 
Contact me for details or to schedule a tour.

#CommercialRealEstate #BusinessOpportunity #InvestInYourFuture #FlexibleWorkspace #PropertyForSale #RetailSpace #OfficeLease #CreativeSolutions #MadisonWIBusiness #EntrepreneurLife

There’s a new rhythm emerging in downtown Madison. Success isn’t defined by square footage anymore, it’s defined by experience.

Walkable streets, mixed-use developments, and destination retail concepts are outperforming traditional strip centers. It’s no longer about rent per square foot, it’s about engagement per step.

Retailers who thrive are the ones merging physical space with digital connection and local relevance.

And as leasing activity rises in our downtown corridor, developers who design for human interaction, not just traffic counts, are seeing higher absorption and longer-term leases. They're coming from near and afar.

The market is clear: build for community enrichment and the customers will follow.

If you’re exploring opportunities in downtown Madison, send me a message and let’s talk strategy.

#DowntownRevitalization #UrbanExperience #CommunityEngagement #SmartDevelopment #RetailTrends #HumanCenteredDesign #MixedUseSpaces #DestinationShopping #CityLiving #SustainableGrowth

6626 Watts Rd sits at the intersection of visibility and potential. Listed for $1.45M this west side property offers exposure to over 30,000 vehicles daily and direct access to West Towne’s retail corridor.

It’s ideal for owner users or investors looking for stability with upside. The zoning supports a variety of commercial uses, and the west side demographics continue to expand with strong incomes and consistent growth.

In a market where quality inventory is tightening, properties like this are rare. Whether you are expanding or investing, this site positions you exactly where Madison’s westward momentum is headed.

#CommercialRealEstate #InvestmentOpportunity #MadisonWI #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyForSale #RetailSpace #ZoningPotential #BusinessGrowth #WestSideDevelopment #VisibilityMatters

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Drew Harwell

Heather Ewing, CCIM

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Heather Ewing, CCIM's LinkedIn Performance

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