Kanter '76 Receives Alumni Service Award

Published: 10-26-2010 4:15 pm

Barbara K. Kanter was the recipient of the Wayne State 2010 Alumni Service Award presented annually during homecoming to alumni who have enhanced the college through dedicated service, promotion and financial support.

Originally from Wisner, Barb (Breitkreutz) graduated in 1976 cum Laude with a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting and a minor in biology. She received her CPA certificate in 1981.

Kanter's accounting career began at M.J. Schoening and Associates public accounting firm in Norfolk as a staff accountant. Highlights of her career include: controller for a Godfather's Pizza franchisee; internal auditor for Pillsbury; internal auditor for ConAgra, Inc., later receiving a promotion to internal audit manager; controller of ConAgra Dried Fruit and Nut Division in San Francisco and corporate accounting in Omaha; controller for CSP Information Group, Inc; and the Snack Foods Division in Edina, Minn.

She has been the director of finance for the amusement park in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., since 2005, which was rebranded in March 2008 to Nickelodeon Universe.

Kanter's husband, Jim, is from Battle Creek, and is a graduate of Kearney State College. They became trustees of the Wayne State Foundation in 2009 and are members of the President's Society. Barb strongly values education and has established the Barbara K. Kanter Endowed Scholarship.