.floatimg-left-hort { float:left; } .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 12px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} Karen Hallagin has 18 years of accounting experience and a master’s degree in accounting, and this fall she’s aiming to become a certified public accountant.

Hallagin has worked for a variety of businesses, including West Glen Town Center, RE Properties and GuideOne Taylor Ball, but she recently took on a new role in December 2009 as controller at DeWaay Capital Management.

“So far, really it has been wonderful because they are open to change and improvement, and always ready to go the extra mile and make the next thing happen,” she said.

After just two months, DeWaay Chairman Donald DeWaay has been more than pleased with his new hire.

“With enthusiasm, Karen sets extremely high standards of herself, her projects and her team,” DeWaay wrote. “She will be a key component of my organization’s success in the coming years.”

Outside of her work, Hallagin is involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk, and was the corporate chair in 2008.

“I have several family members that have passed away from leukemia, so it is something that is very near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I just love the walk because really, if you haven’t ever had the chance to go and be a part of the event, it is just so hopeful, and it is very touching to be involved with that particular group of people.”

Along with her involvement in a variety of charities and associations, Hallagin has been active in the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and is currently working on creating a curriculum that focuses on building leadership skills for Business Boot Camp, which is a complement to the West Des Moines Leadership Academy.

Hallagin credited working with Bill Van Orsdel during the past six years for much of the growth she has had personally and professionally.