Professionals on the Move – January 2021

Bill Moore, Chairman – PENSERVCO, Inc.

William Quilliam, Chair-Elect – Florida Southern College

Donna Son, Secretary/Treasurer – FICPA

Alan West, Past Chairman – University of Florida

Carshena Allison, Vice Chair – BCA Watson Rice, LLP

Elizabeth Manso, Vice Chair – Brigade Bookkeeping

The 2020-21 Board of Trustees for the Foundation are:

Nestor Caballero* – Caballero Fierman Llerena & Garcia, LLP

Silvana Capaldi – Ispirare Group

Elizabeth Carlson – Elizabeth Carlson, CPA

Jason Chorlins – Kaufman, Rossin & Co., PA

David Cumberland – Kerkering, Barberio & Co., CPA

George Gulisano – Florida Skin Center

Lazaro Gutierrez – Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, LLC

Michael Halfast – Risk Avoidance Managers, Inc.

Larry Houff – Owner of Tallahassee Lighting & Decor

Celina Jozsi – Florida Southern College

Nancy Juron* – Deloitte, LLP

Candy Kessel – Suplee, Shea, Cramer & Rocklein, PA

Jason Klein – Jason H. Klein, PA

Gary Margolis – Callaghan & Margolis, CPAs

Kylan McNemar – BKHM, PA

Frank Morera* – Chastang & Partners, LLC

Steve Morrison – CohnReznick, National Assurance Office

Chris Nelson – RGP – Central Florida

Benjamin Nussbaum* – Village of Key Biscayne

Brandon Perry – Raposa Perry Young, LLC

Angela Poole – AMP Expert Solutions, LLC

Marie Rosier* – Marie M Rosier CPA, MBA LLC

Amy Santos – State College of Florida

Rick Shapiro – Bergman Hirsch Spilfogel & Tyman CPAs

Rick Smith – Retired

Michael Stone – Stone, Parker & Company, CPA, PA

Ken Strauss – Berkowitz Pollack & Brant

Paola Suarez – South FL Business Banking – Chase

Karen Vergara – Allgen Financial Advisors

*New Board of Trustee

PBMares Adds Four Partners with Acquistion of RSM New Bern and RSM Morehead City Offices

PBMares, LLP, a Top 100 accounting and consulting firm, recently added four partners as a result of its expansion into North Carolina with the acquisition of the RSM New Bern and RSM Morehead City locations.

Robbie Bittner – Morehead City, NC

Bittner joins as a partner in the Audit & Assurance Service Line, with significant experience concentrated in the governmental, nonprofit, and utility industries. His experience includes responsibilities for audits of municipal and nonprofit utility agencies in North Carolina and Georgia. Bittner holds a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and a Master of Business Administration from East Carolina University.

Tracey Dail – New Bern, NC

Dail joins as a partner in the PBMares Audit & Assurance Service Line, bringing nearly 19 years of experience in a variety of engagements including governmental, nonprofit entities, hospitals, and medical centers. She has focused primarily on employee benefit plan audits, ranging from governmental employee benefit plans, profit sharing/401(k) plans, health and welfare plans and defined benefit plans. Dail holds a Master of Science in Accounting, a Master of Science in Math Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Math Education, all from East Carolina University.

Charles Dean Smith – New Bern, NC

Smith joins as a partner in the Tax Service Line. With more than 22 years of experience, he focuses on providing manufacturing, distribution, restaurant and retail clients with tax compliance and consultation. He has also worked with several large national franchise groups for the past 20 years providing tax compliance and planning services. Smith holds a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, summa cum laude, both from University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

Jeff Williams – New Bern, NC

Williams joins as a partner in the Tax Service Line, having been the managing partner for RSM New Bern in North Carolina. He has over 30 years of experience providing tax planning and tax compliance services for a variety of individuals and privately held businesses.Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, cum laude, from East Carolina University and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

RubinBrown Announces Multiple Promotions

RubinBrown, one of the nation’s top 50 accounting and business consulting firms recently announced three promotions; Chris Daues, CPA to Partner in the Assurance Services Group; Tim McCormack, CPA, CGMA to Partner in the Business Advisory Services Group; and John Zaegel, CPA to Partner in the Tax Services Group.

Chris Daues has over 11 years of professional accounting experience and works with clients in various industries including construction, manufacturing and distribution, private equity and public sector. He holds a master’s in business administration from the University of Dayton.

Tim McCormack has more than 10 years of experience serving clients, providing transaction due diligence assistance to clients in the technology, manufacturing and distribution, services, hospitality, private equity and healthcare industries. He holds a master’s in accountancy from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

John Zaegel has more than 10 years of professional tax consulting and compliance experience, specializing in the construction industry including general contractors, specialty contractors, homebuilders and related businesses.  He holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Truman State University.

Other RubinBrown promotions include Joe Bogh, CPA and James Chapman, CPA to Partner in the Assurance Services Group. Thomas Butterfield, CPA was named Partner in the Tax Services Group; Jeff Barnes, CFA, CM&AA, to Partner in the Business Advisory Services Group; Chris Janis, CPA and Liz Yount, CPA were named Partners in the Tax Services Group; Brandi Lawyer, CPA was named Partner in the Assurance Services Group; Justin Lee, CPA, Aaron Pollard, CPA, CGMA and Lynnae Robinson, CPA were named partners in the Entrepreneurial Services Group.

Joe Bogh has over 13 years of experience performing audit, accounting, tax and business consulting services for businesses in a wide range of industries, with an emphasis in the gaming industry. Joe holds a master’s in accountancy from Southern Utah University.

Thomas Butterfield has 13 years of experience in tax, accounting, and business consulting across multiple industries. The main industries he focuses on are gaming, film investment, law firms and real estate. He holds a master’s in accountancy from Southern Utah University.

James Chapman has over 13 years of experience performing internal audit and assurance services. His experience includes serving clients in a range of industries including employee benefit plans, construction, healthcare and other small businesses. He holds a master’s in accountancy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Jeff Barnes provides transaction due diligence services to clients in the manufacturing and distribution, healthcare, business services, transportation and logistics, technology, and private equity industries. He holds a bachelor’s in economics and finance from the University of Illinois.

Chris Janis provides an array of tax services for businesses and individuals including compliance, planning and consulting. He focuses on federal tax issues for clients in the construction, healthcare, and commercial and residential real estate industries. He holds a master’s in accountancy from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Brandi Lawyer has more than 15 years of professional accounting experience. She works with clients in various industries including public sector, colleges and universities, not-for-profit, and real estate. She holds a master’s in business administration from Union University.

Justin Lee has more than 20 years of experience serving clients in a variety of industries, including professional services, physician practices, not-for-profit organizations, manufacturing, retail and wholesale, trucking and transportation, and real estate. He holds a bachelor’s in accountancy from Webster University.

Aaron Pollard has over 15 years of experience and assists clients at various levels with accounting services, tax preparation and consulting guidance. Aaron also serves a variety of clients in the manufacturing and distribution, and benefit plan audit industries. He holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Fontbonne University.

Lynnae Robinson has over 15 years of professional accounting experience. She works with clients in various industries including contractors, law firms and other professional services. She holds a bachelor’s in accounting from McKendree College.

Liz Yount has over 20 years of experience providing tax consulting, planning, and compliance services for high net worth individuals, corporate executives, and expatriates. Her experience includes multistate taxation, stock option planning, and charitable giving strategies. She holds a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

All promotions were effective December 1, 2020.

Nathan Wechsler Announces New Associate

The regional accounting firm of Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA is pleased to announce the addition of Amanda Starry to their professional team.

A new professional in the accounting industry, Starry joins the Nathan Wechsler team as an associate, responsible for performing a variety of work on clients, including accounting, auditing, compliance, financial statement preparation, tax return preparation, and special projects.

A cum laude graduate of Saint Anselm College, Starry holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Politics and in Economics. Additionally, she has a Certificate in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

CLA Appoints Jen Leary as CEO

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), one of the leading professional services firms in the U.S., recently announced the appointment of Jen Leary as chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2021. Current CEO Denny Schleper will transition to a CEO emeritus role and remain actively involved in the firm through 2021.

Leary brings over 22 years of experience and spent the last 11 years at CLA serving in various client services and firm-wide roles, and most recently as chief strategy officer and a member of CLA’s board of directors.

CLA also announced today the appointments of five senior executives who will serve with Leary as the firm’s leadership team:

·        Nancy Brown, Chief Culture and Engagement Officer

·        Cathy Clarke, Chief Quality Officer

·        Scott Engelbrecht, Chief Geographic Officer

·        Yassir Karam, Chief Solutions Officer

·        John Langan, Chief Industry Officer

Gumbiner Savett Inc. Announces Promotions

Gumbiner Savett Inc., a full-service certifed public accounting firm headquartered in Santa Monica, California recently announced the promotion of four staff members effective January 1, 2021: Ron Hauser was elevated to Tax Manager (from Tax Senior Associate), while Eduard Danielyan, Tiffany Delemo and David Sussman will assume new roles as Tax Senior Associates (formerly Staff Accountants).

Hauser is finishing his fifth year with the firm. He graduated from California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 2015 with a BS in Accountancy and also served as Treasurer for the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.

Danielyan and Delemo both joined Gumbiner in 2018. A 2016 graduate of CSUN with a BS in Accountancy, Danielyan has been a member of the school’s Accounting Association since 2013. Delemo earned a BS in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University in 2017 and was a member of the school’s Accounting Society.

Sussman has been with Gumbiner since 2019. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego, in 2013 with a BA in Economics and earned his Certificate of Accounting from the UCSD Extension program in 2017.

Nathan Wechsler Announces New Senior Manager

The regional accounting firm of Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA recently announced the promotion of Demetrios “James” Mitkonis, CPA. A member of the firm since 2012, Mitkonis previously served as a manager. In his new capacity as a senior manager, he is responsible for directing all phases of audit engagements, including planning, financial statement preparation, and delivery of services.

A graduate of the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Mitkonis holds both a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing and is a member of the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants.  

Marks Paneth Appoints Ryszard Jania as Partner-in-Charge of the Firm’s New Jersey Office

Leading accounting, tax and advisory firm, Marks Paneth LLP, has appointed Ryszard (Rich) Jania as Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s New Jersey Office. In this role, Mr. Jania will oversee the New Jersey office’s strategic growth and direction and provide leadership on office matters, while deepening his community involvement and building the firm’s brand in the marketplace.

With over 20 years of audit, consulting and buy-side transactional advisory experience, Mr. Jania specializes in advising franchises. He will continue to support his clients with the highest levels of service.

Katz, Sapper & Miller Introduce New Partners in 2021

Katz, Sapper & Miller recently announced the addition of two partners: Troy Hogan and Ben Lyon. Both Troy and Ben provide deep technical expertise, innovative solutions, and superior client service.

Troy Hogan is a member of KSM’s Business Advisory and Transportation Services Groups and specializes in a wide variety of accounting, tax, and business matters. Troy received both a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Accountancy degree from Manchester College.

Ben Lyon is a member of KSM’s Business Advisory Group, helping clients maximize their tax savings opportunities while minimizing risks. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business operations and decision technologies as well as a Master of Professional Accountancy degree from Indiana University and also earned the prestigious Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation.

Harvey L. Johnson named CEO of PBMares LLP CPA and Consulting Firm

PBMares, LLP, a Top 100 accounting and consulting firm in the U.S., recently announced that Harvey L. Johnson, partner and Cybersecurity & Control Risk Services Practice Leader has been appointed CEO, effective January 1, 2021. Johnson was selected by the partners of the Firm, following a comprehensive search process that was part of the firm’s formal succession plan.

Johnson joined PBMares in October 2003, and has spent his 17 years in public accounting with the Firm, playing a significant role in developing team members, leading strategy development, helped establish the Firm’s cybersecurity and control risk services practice in 2016.

Johnson’s professional affiliations include membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) and the Tidewater Chapter of the VSCPA (TCVSCPA).

Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. He also holds a Master of Science in Accounting from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.