For more than four decades, Josie A. Henneke has built an accomplished career defined by financial expertise, operational excellence, and a steadfast commitment to helping organizations navigate complex challenges with confidence. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Josie has earned a reputation as an executive leader who combines analytical precision with practical business judgment. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify opportunities, strengthen organizations, and guide leadership teams toward sustainable growth. Her philosophy is grounded in collaboration, accountability, and the belief that effective leadership comes from asking thoughtful questions, making informed decisions, and remaining focused on long-term success.
Josie’s professional journey began with the Indiana Department of Revenue, where she spent more than a decade progressing through increasingly responsible leadership roles. Starting as a Corporate Income Tax Examiner and advancing to Field Auditor, District Supervisor, and ultimately Regional Administrator, she gained invaluable experience overseeing complex tax audits, supervising multidisciplinary teams, developing statewide policies, and leading taxpayer service operations across southern Indiana. During this period, she conducted audits involving Fortune 1000 companies across numerous industries, developed training programs for auditors throughout the state, and became known for her ability to simplify complicated tax issues while maintaining productive relationships with businesses and government stakeholders alike. These formative experiences established the strong technical foundation and leadership philosophy that would define the remainder of her career.
Building upon her extensive governmental experience, Josie transitioned into public accounting, where she became a respected State and Local Tax specialist with Geo. S. Olive, LLP, now part of BKD. As Manager and later Associate Member, she led teams responsible for sales and use tax consulting, audit defense, voluntary disclosures, nexus studies, and multistate tax planning. She also played an instrumental role in expanding the firm’s service capabilities by helping establish its Columbus, Ohio SALT practice. Her reputation for technical excellence, coupled with her exceptional communication skills, made her a trusted advisor to partners, clients, and executives seeking practical solutions to highly technical regulatory and financial matters.
Throughout her career, Josie has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to move beyond traditional accounting responsibilities into executive operational leadership. As Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of General Alarm, Inc., she oversaw financial management, banking relationships, payroll, operations, and strategic planning for a growing security business. She implemented new accounting systems, improved estimating and costing procedures, revised commission structures, and introduced operational improvements that significantly enhanced profitability. These accomplishments reinforced her belief that finance leaders create the greatest value when they understand every aspect of an organization’s operations and actively partner with leadership teams to improve business performance.
Josie’s entrepreneurial spirit was further demonstrated when she and her husband built Aquatic Services of Indiana into a thriving business before successfully selling the company. Managing every aspect of the organization’s financial operations, payroll, compliance, business development, customer relationships, and strategic partnerships provided her with firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by business owners. This experience strengthened her appreciation for disciplined financial management while reinforcing the importance of customer service, operational efficiency, and long-term planning. It also provided her with a practical understanding of entrepreneurship that continues to inform her work with privately held companies and growth-oriented organizations.
Perhaps the most defining chapter of Josie’s executive career came during her tenure with AGS Capital, where she served as Vice President of Tax & Finance and Chief Financial Officer for a diverse portfolio of companies. Working within a venture capital environment, she led financial operations for manufacturing businesses, senior living communities, real estate holdings, and startup ventures while supporting acquisitions, due diligence, investor relations, banking partnerships, financial reporting, and strategic planning. Her work focused on helping distressed companies regain profitability while positioning emerging businesses for sustainable growth. By combining disciplined financial oversight with strategic operational insight, she became an indispensable advisor to executives, investors, and ownership groups navigating complex business transitions. Her extensive experience with manufacturing, including anodizing and metal finishing operations, as well as senior living and hospitality-related organizations, has given her a broad industry perspective that allows her to quickly recognize patterns, identify risks, and uncover opportunities for improvement.
In addition to her executive leadership responsibilities, Josie has devoted significant time to educating and mentoring business professionals throughout the country. Having delivered well over 500 presentations and educational programs, she has taught for the National Business Institute, Indiana CPA Society, and numerous professional organizations on topics ranging from federal taxation and state tax compliance to sales strategy and evolving regulatory changes. Her engaging presentation style, deep technical expertise, and ability to translate complicated subjects into practical business guidance have earned her recognition as a trusted educator and industry resource. She also contributed innovation within manufacturing through a patented process developed during her work with an industrial operation, demonstrating that her strengths extend beyond finance into operational problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Josie’s leadership extends well beyond the executive suite through a distinguished record of board service and community involvement. She served as President and Treasurer of the historic Columbia Club in Indianapolis, leading one of Indiana’s most recognized private organizations while overseeing governance, financial stewardship, and strategic initiatives. Today, she continues her service as a board member of the Columbia Club Foundation, while also supporting organizations including Tri Kappa and numerous civic and professional associations throughout her career. Her previous board service with Senior Services of Hancock County, Rotary Club of Greenfield Sunrise, and other nonprofit organizations reflects her dedication to strengthening communities through thoughtful governance and responsible leadership. These experiences have reinforced her belief that effective boards create value by fostering collaboration, encouraging healthy dialogue, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to organizational mission and accountability.
As she seeks additional board opportunities, Josie is particularly interested in serving private companies and organizations preparing for significant growth or public offerings within industries including senior living, manufacturing, hospitality, finance, and pet products. She believes her greatest contribution lies in helping leadership teams identify both opportunities and obstacles with clarity, enabling organizations to make informed decisions that support long-term success. She is known for her willingness to ask difficult questions, objectively analyze complex situations, and help boards and executive teams find practical paths forward while maintaining strong relationships built on mutual respect. Her collaborative leadership style reflects both confidence and humility, recognizing that the strongest organizations are built when diverse perspectives are welcomed and every decision is guided by integrity.
Throughout her distinguished career, Josie Henneke has remained committed to professional excellence, lifelong learning, and servant leadership. Whether advising venture-backed businesses, leading operational transformations, educating professionals, or serving in governance roles, she consistently demonstrates the qualities that organizations seek in trusted advisors and influential board members. Her breadth of experience, combined with her unwavering commitment to ethical leadership and thoughtful decision-making, positions her as an exceptional addition to boards seeking financial acumen, strategic perspective, operational insight, and collaborative governance. Josie continues to approach every opportunity with the same mindset that has guided her career from the beginning: carefully analyze the situation, identify the best path forward, and work together to build stronger, more successful organizations.
Awards: Office of the Governor – Distinguished Hoosier
Character:
Josie leads with integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to serving both organizations and the people within them. She is respected for her honesty, professionalism, and willingness to make difficult decisions while maintaining empathy and fairness.
Knowledge:
Decades of experience in finance, taxation, operations, venture capital, manufacturing, senior living, and governance have given Josie exceptional business insight. She combines technical expertise with practical application, enabling organizations to solve complex challenges with confidence and clarity.
Strategic:
Josie possesses a unique ability to quickly evaluate business conditions, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical solutions that create long-term value. Her experience leading turnarounds, acquisitions, and growth initiatives allows her to help organizations navigate change while maintaining financial discipline and operational excellence.
Communication:
An accomplished public speaker and educator with more than 500 presentations to her credit, Josie excels at translating complex topics into meaningful, actionable guidance. She fosters open dialogue, encourages collaboration, and builds trust by communicating with clarity, confidence, and respect.
