Autumn and Nicholas Kletzien Accountancy Scholarship

Autumn and Nicholas reside in the Holmen area with their three children. They established this scholarship in 2022 to support accounting majors. As a first-generation college student who did not have a solid path to higher education, Autumn learned that through dedication to her studies and earning good grades, she became eligible for scholarships and that financial support made her dream of a college degree a reality. Autumn was the recipient of nine scholarships we she credits for opening doors for her. Autumn and Nicholas are now “repaying the favor” for the generous support provided by many benefactors to UWL.

Here is some background on Autumn and Nicholas.

Autumn earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from UWL in 2004. She completed her Certified Public Accounting License, and Executive Education program at the University of Virginia and is now completing her MBA. Autumn is on the UW Board of Directors and serves on the audit and finance committees.

Autumn is the Corporate Vice President of Accounting at Performance Food Group. PFG is an industry leader and one of the largest food and food service distribution companies in North America with more than 150 locations in the U.S.,parts of Canada and Mexico. As part of the corporate executive team, Autumn oversees approximately 50 professionals in La Crosse, WI, Denver, CO and Richmond, VA. Her team works to support PFG Operating Companies across the country. Autumn joined the PFG family in 2019 when Reinhart was purchased by PFG. She held various roles within the corporate finance and accounting groups for Reinhart the nine years prior. Before joining Reinhart, she spent seven years in public accounting. Throughout her professional career, she has a demonstrated her value in people and team development. She is a strong finance professional skilled in Project Management, System Implementations, Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), General Ledger, Internal Controls, Financial Analysis, Budgeting, and Forecasting.

Nicholas Kletzien joined the US Army in 1997. He graduated from Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill Oklahoma in 1998 as a 13 Bravo Cannon Crew member. His military education continued while holding leadership positions as Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Course Manager, and Chief Instructor. His deployment history includes a 15-month tour in Kuwait/Iraq, a 12-month tour in Iraq, an 11-month tour in Afghanistan, and a 12-month tour for Operation Warrior Trainer at Fort McCoy, WI. He rose through the ranks to First Sergeant and served with the Operation Warrior Trainer program as an Observer Controller Trainer Team Leader and Course Manager of the National Guard Ready and Resilient Schoolhouse at Fort McCoy. Nicholas earned a B.S. degree in Applied Business Management from Grand Canyon University in 2023.

His outstanding service has brought many awards and decorations including a Bronze Star Medal, The Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Non‐Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (W/M Device, and Bronze Hourglass Device ). First Sergeant Kletzien has earned the Combat Action Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge (Wheel & Track), The Army Superior Unit Award, and Presidential Unit Citation.