In addition to the three Featured Franchisees of the Year, franchisees representing H&R Block’s Elite 25 and Top 100 distinctions were celebrated at Frontline Forum, a blend of virtual and in-person learning experiences in three locations – Kansas City, Orlando, and San Diego – that prepares franchisees and field leaders to improve clients’ tax season experience. These 128 men and women represent communities from across the country.

The 2023 H&R Block Featured Franchisees of the Year, Elite 25, and Top 100 include:

Featured Franchisees of the Year

• Anthony Temple, Mich.
• Lee Thibodeaux, La.
• Johnny Welborn, Texas

Elite 25

• Teresa Barton, Utah
• Jeri Beckham, Texas
• Frank Calise, Ariz.
• Amber Canales, Mich.
• Becky Carney, Tenn.
• Diana Carpenter, N.Y.
• Nathan Cour, Conn.
• Vickie Croteau, Maine
• Erick Enriquez, N.J.
• Terri Henson, Texas
• Bibiano Lopez, Ga.
• Cathy Lindner, Fla.
• Jason Moulton, Va.
• Walter Pearson Jr., Texas
• David Roy, Conn.
• Keith Robertson, Texas
• Pearl Sibadan, N.Y.
• Aaron Skinner, Va.
• Shelly Smith, Okla.
• Anthony Temple, Mich.
• Lee Thibodeaux, La.
• Stephanie Thiel, N.M.
• Melissa Walter, Ill.
• Johnny Welborn, Texas
• Denise Zaharoff, Ga.

Top 100

• Katherine Allen, Colo.
• Dee Ann Aydelott, Mo.
• Teresa Barton, Utah
• Farooq Bawa, Ill.
• Kathleen Beard, Kan.
• Jeri Beckham, Texas
• Joan Bengford, Iowa
• Velma Bjorgum, N.D.
• Daniel Blamer, Mich.
• Edward Bonaccorsi II, Mass.
• Marilyn Bradley, Ky.
• Maura Breslin, Vt.
• Greg Bruley, Minn.
• Robert Brun, Okla.
• Denise Buettner, Ohio
• Frank Calise, Ariz.
• Amber Canales, Mich.
• Albert Cappabianca, Conn.
• Becky Carney, Tenn.
• Diana Carpenter, N.Y.
• Delores Carter, N.C.
• Kirkland Casey, N.C.
• Carla Chartier, La.
• Donna Clifford, Idaho
• Nathan Cour, Conn.
• Vickie Croteau, Maine
• Angela Cunningham, Texas
• Sandra Cutting, R.I.
• Lori Dagenhart, Md.
• Kelly Dalton, Minn.
• Wanda Delong, Va.
• Jody Ehlers, Iowa
• Erick Enriquez, N.J.
• Dawn Every, N.Y.
• Jose Felipe, N.Y.
• Emiviala Fernandez, Fla.
• Amie Fuller, Utah
• Michelle Gillespie, Pa.
• James Gobeli, Iowa
• Melissa Gourgues, La.
• Francis Grant, S.C.
• Meg Hall, Ga.
• Julie Hamilton, Ore.
• Monica Hardeman, N.M.
• Teri Harrier, Pa.
• Mary Harris, Ill.
• Rami Hashlamoun, Ill.
• G. Thomas Hedrick, N.C.
• Debra Henning, Pa.
• Terri Henson, Texas
• Kelly Holmes, S.C.
• Molly Jordan, Ill.
• Dalia Kainovic, Ill.
• Shane Kamban, Ohio
• Joanne Kopanski, N.C.
• Lillie Lecher, Neb.
• Timothy Lee, Calif.
• Jacob Leier, N.D.
• Cathy Lindner, Fla.
• Rodrigo Lizo, N.J.
• Bibiano Lopez, Ga.
• Abul Masud, Calif.
• Nyenatee Monger, Ky.
• Jason Moulton, Va.
• Mary Mullen, Mo.
• Gail Orr, Va.
• Judy Pair, Ga.
• Stephen Parker, N.C.
• Walter Pearson Jr., Texas
• Patricia Wright-Reece, Fla.
• Marie Reichelt, Calif.
• Amanda Rhoton, Ind.
• Christine Rischette, Minn.
• Keith Robertson, Texas
• David Roy, Conn.
• Salomon Saucedo, Texas
• Daylon Shearrer, Texas
• Jean Shoner, Mich.
• Pearl Sibadan, N.Y.
• Aaron Skinner, Va.
• David Smith, Fontanafredda PN, Italy
• Shelly Smith, Okla.
• Scott Spangler, Wis.
• Mark Sternberg, N.J.
• Paula Strasheim, Neb.
• Surf Sweisford, Pa.
• Anthony Temple, Mich.
• Lee Thibodeaux, La.
• Stephanie Thiel, N.M.
• Maurice Tuttle, Ind.
• Zachary Valentine, Colo.
• Reychelle Vise, Fla.
• Timothy Walsleben, Minn.
• Melissa Walter, Ill.
• Johnny Welborn, Texas
• Tracy Willard, Maine
• Christophe Wilson, N.C.
• David Winter, Ga.
• Denise Zaharoff, Ga.

Nationally Ranked Accounting Firm Welcomes New Forensic and Litigation Principal
 
Windham Brannon, an INSIDE Public Accounting Top 200 Firm, recently welcomed Kevin Bennett as a Principal for the firm’s Forensic and Litigation Services practice in October 2023. Bennett brings more than 25 years of experience working with companies and their counsel to conduct corporate investigations involving fraud and forensic accounting.
 
Throughout Bennett’s career, he has worked as a subject-matter expert in global ethics and compliance matters, and he has testified as a witness on corporate investigations to regulators including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the World Bank. He has also led cross-border investigations in China, Russia, Brazil, India and Mexico, among other countries.
 Bennett is a Certified Fraud Examiner and a member of the American Bar Association Institute of Internal Auditors, Institute for Internal Controls and the Association for Corporate Growth. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Principia College and completed accounting courses at the University of Missouri (St. Louis).

Calvetti Ferguson introduces new partner

Calvetti Ferguson, a nationally recognized middle-market CPA firm, has proudly introduced Nicholas McClay as their newest partner in Nashville. In his previous role as a market leader at EY, Nicholas established and built a dedicated business unit for the financial services industry in Nashville. With more than 18 years of experience, he supports boards and executives in their strategic business initiatives as well as accounting, governance, risk management and controls, compliance, and internal and external audits.

The addition of Nicholas is the first of several investments that allow Calvetti Ferguson to offer a full suite of services, including assurance, tax, advisory, accounting, and technology advisory, to middle-market companies in Nashville. Nicholas will also add to the firm’s financial services and private equity industry expertise, strengthening its ability to provide tailored solutions and strategic guidance to clients.

With the addition of a Nashville office, the firm is establishing a foothold in Music City, solidifying its reputation as a leading accounting and advisory firm renowned for delivering exceptional services.