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Speaker BiographiesBrian Bernhardt, JD Brian Bernhardt is a Partner in the law firm McGuireWoods LLP where he practices in the areas of federal tax controversies, federal tax litigation, and tax-exempt organizations. A former trial attorney with the IRS office of Chief Counsel, he represents taxpayers and tax-exempt organizations before the IRS and the Department of Justice in a variety of administrative matters, including audit examinations, administrative appeals, criminal investigations, and refund claims. He also appears on their behalf in federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Courts, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
Chris Bixby, CFP, EA Chris Bixby is the cofounder and owner of Bixby & Associates Financial Solutions in Williston, Vermont. He is the firm's principle financial consultant, helping clients define their unique financial goals. Chris is a 1998 Financial Management graduate from Bob Jones University. An avid learner, Chris holds multiple professional designations including NASD Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, insurance licenses, Certified Financial Planner, and Enrolled Agent. He is currently pursuing a MS degree in Administration from Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont. Currently Chris is a board member for the Vermont Tax Preparers' Association. He also serves on the University of Vermont Extension Tax School Advisory Council.
LG Brooks, EA LG Brooks is an Enrolled Agent and a senior consultant with The Tax Practice, Inc. He has been in the field of taxation for more than 25 years and has been in practice full-time since 1990. Brooks' areas of practice include tax representation, tax consulting, tax preparation, and pre-tax court litigation support services. He continues to provide tax presentations for numerous tax and accounting societies and has made presentations at several IRS Annual Tax Forums. Brooks received his BA from Bishop College Dallas, Texas in 1977 and is a fellow and a current faculty member of the National Tax Practice Institute (NTPI).
Felecia Dixson, EA Felecia is a partner of Alfermann, Gray & Co., in Rolla, Missouri. She has been assisting in the writing and editing of the Illinois Farm Tax Manual for the University of Illinois since 1998. Felecia was involved in the writing and editing of the enrolled agent's exam questions, was the Chairperson for the Special Enrollment Exam Advisory Committee (SEEAC) for five years, and is a past member of the Advisory Committee to the Commissioner of the IRS. Felecia is also a Microsoft Partner and spokesperson for the Microsoft Office Accounting and Microsoft Professional Accountants Network (MPAN) and was the first Certified Microsoft Office Accounting Consultant.
V. Raymond Ferrara, CFP Ray Ferrara is President/CEO of ProVise Management Group, LLC, Clearwater, Florida, a financial planning firm that has been recognized as one of the Top 100 in the country by both Financial Advisor and Wealth Manager. He is a Certified Financial Planner, was the host of the radio show – Talking Money – for over ten years, and was recognized in the book Secrets of the Wealth Makers as one of the top financial planners in the country. Ferrara has been quoted in some of the nation's top publications including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and BusinessWeek, to name a few.
Faris R. Fink IRS Deputy Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed Division Faris R. Fink manages the day-to-day operations of SB/SE, an organization with approximately 26,000 employees who serve million taxpayers; approximately 41 million self-employed persons and supplemental income earners, approximately 9 million small business corporations and partnerships with assets of less than $10 million, and approximately 7 million filers of employment, excise, estate, gift, and fiduciary returns. SB/SE serves roughly one-third of the overall taxpayer base. Mr. Fink started his career with the IRS in November 1980. He has held a variety of managerial positions of increasing responsibility in both examination and collection. He was selected for the Executive Development Program in October 2000 and served as the Director, Compliance, Area 9 from August 2001 until October 2004. Faris was also the Area Director, Examination for Midwest Area, from November 2004 until August 2008.
J. Russell George
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Following his nomination by President George W. Bush, the United States Senate confirmed J. Russell George in November 2004 as the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Prior to assuming this role, Mr. George served as the Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service, having been nominated to that position by President Bush and confirmed by the Senate in 2002. A native of New York City, where he attended public schools, including Brooklyn Technical High School, Mr. George received his BA degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Harvard University's School of Law in Cambridge, MA. After receiving his law degree, he returned to New York and served as a prosecutor in the Queens County District Attorney's Office.
Larry Gray, CPA Larry Gray resides in Rolla, Missouri and is the owner of Alfermann, Gray & Co. He was the NATP national president from 1999 to 2002, and was on the NATP Board of Directors from 1994 to 2002. Larry is also a nationwide instructor for NATP and other organizations. Due to his long-time involvement with the IRS, he has gained a tremendous amount of expertise in working with them and their initiatives. Currently, Larry is an NATP Government Affairs Liaison. Accounting Today named him one of 1999, 2000, and 2001's Top 100 Most Influential People. He has also been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Practitioners by CPA Magazine.
Delmar Gillette, MA Delmar Gillette is the owner of Economic Planning Services, Inc., Newport News, Virginia. He began his career in tax preparation on a part-time basis with H&R Block in January 1972 as a diversion from his primary career as a high school teacher. He has taught tax planning and preparation for NATP for almost 25 years at National Conference and various other programs across the nation and within the Virginia Chapter. Delmar earned a BA from Berea College, Kentucky, and his MA from Duke University, North Carolina. He also holds Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 licenses.
Valerie Gunter
Acting Director, Electronic Tax Administration &
Refundable Credits, IRS Valerie Gunter is responsible for the development of new electronic tax administration e-file products that support the IRS' goals of improved customer service and tax law enforcement. She works closely with the IRS Operating Divisions, Information Technology services and external partners (such as tax professionals) to ensure the successful design, development, testing, and implementation of new e-file products for both business and individual taxpayers. Valerie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland and is a graduate of the National Defense University CIO Certificate Program and Advanced Management Program.
Monica Haven, EA, JD Monica has recently added another credential to her repertoire – a master's degree in taxation (LLM). In addition to decades of experience as a solo practitioner, Monica routinely shares her expertise in the classroom. She is an alum and former faculty member of the National Tax Practice Institute, a recognized speaker on the "professional" circuit, and a guest lecturer on college campuses and at community organizations. Licensed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA; formerly NASD), Monica teaches courses to help students pass licensing exams. She presents her material in a clear and concise manner, offering self-created tips to ensure success. As a practicing financial planner, she brings real-world experiences and humorous anecdotes to class in an effort to make the required material less dry, more memorable, and fun! As an Enrolled Agent, Monica maintains a flourishing tax practice in Southern California. Unable to decide whether she prefers teaching or taxation, she's in her element when she gets to teach tax!
Kathryn M. Keane, EA, ABA Kathryn owns and operates Macanta Business Services, a small tax and related services practice located in Brooklyn, New York, serving over 710 individual clients and 50 businesses. She holds a Series 6 and 63 licenses and is affiliated with Genworth Financial Securities Corporation. In December 2006, Kathryn completed two 3-year terms on the NATP National Board of Directors and was the recipient of the 2002 Chapter Person of the Year acknowledging her volunteer work for the NY Chapter, the tax industry, and the community at large. She is a frequent speaker for many tax associations and for events sponsored by the IRS. Kathryn has a BS from Brooklyn College, New York.
Randy A. Lawshe, EA, MBA Randy Lawshe is an Enrolled Agent who holds an MBA with a concentration in marketing and finance from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has been an NATP instructor for eight years, teaching the Essential 1040 and Beyond the 1040, EA Exam Review Course, and various Symposium topics. Randy began her tax career with H&R Block as a tax preparer, and now owns and operates five offices in the South Louisiana/Mississippi area. Her offices also offer financial services and representation. Randy is active in community affairs, and is well known as a featured speaker and tax professional in her area. She is a member of the Louisiana Chapter of NATP, as well as other professional and business organizations.
Marilyn Meredith, EA Marilyn owns Meredith Tax Service, Meredith Financial Research, and Much & More Income Tax Workshops with offices in Port Huron, St. Clair, and Marine City, Michigan. Marilyn has been in the tax business for 42 years. She earned her Enrolled Agent designation in 1979, has a Series 7 securities license, and is on the Board of the Michigan Chapter of NATP. She has also served on IRPAC, SEEAC, and Cut-Score study as an NATP representative, as well as other NATP committees. She teaches for NATP, NATP Michigan Chapter, Michigan IRS forums, and at various off-season seminars for practitioners in Michigan.
Kelly Nokleby, EA Kelly Nokleby is the owner of Books by Kelly which she started in 1995 to provide family child care professionals with a resource to help keep them up-to-date with tax laws as they pertain to their business. Kelly prepares over 500 childcare tax returns annually and specializes in bookkeeping, payroll, tax planning, and preparation for the family child care professional. Kelly is an Enrolled Agent and has been a member of NATP since 1999. She serves on the Board of Directors as President for the Minnesota Chapter of NATP and serves on the Long Range Planning Committee within that board. Kelly has worked with Prometric to review and write test questions for the SEE Exam. Additionally she has facilitated training workshops around the country for child care professionals for over 20 years and frequently works on editing publications written by Tom Copeland at Resources for Child Caring.
Steven O'Rourke, EA Steve O'Rourke is a Training Specialist with NATP where he develops curriculum, writes textbooks, and instructs at educational seminars. He also owns and operates a tax and accounting practice which currently serves over 2,600 clients. Steve has more than 20 years of teaching experience, 30 years of experience in tax preparation and related fields, and is licensed to sell securities. He earned his BBA degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In 2002, Steve completed serving a three-year term on the NATP Board of Directors.
Thomas O'Saben, EA, CFP Tom graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1982 with degrees in political science and finance. He has been a Certified Financial Planner since 1993 and an Enrolled Agent since 1994. Along with a staff of four, Tom's practice, established in 1992, provides tax, accounting, and financial planning services for approximately 1,000 clients. In November 2003, Tom merged his practice with FCB Banks, a group of nine locations in Southern Illinois, mostly located in the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area to provide his clientele with additional services, as well as to provide tax and accounting services to the customer base of the bank. Tom also provides Quickbooks training and has given numerous educational presentations on a wide variety of tax and financial planning issues. He recently joined the staff at NATP as a Training Specialist where he develops curriculum, writes textbooks, and instructs at educational seminars.
Alice Orzechowski, CPA, EA, CMA Alice, a certified public accountant since 1976, is also a certified management accountant and an enrolled agent. Alice holds degrees in economics and accounting from the University of Maryland and a master's in administration and management from Hood College. During her 30 years of tax experience, Alice has been interviewed and quoted by various news sources including The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal Radio, and CNN.
Philip Garrett Panitz, LL.M (Tax), JD Philip Garrett Panitz is a national tax litigator who specializes in litigating tax matters before the U.S. Tax Court and all Federal Courts of Appeal. In 1995, he successfully argued the case "Williams v. United States" to the U.S. Supreme Court, changing the way the IRS can seize property from third parties. He is a Certified Tax Specialist in accordance with the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, and is also a member of the New York Bar Association. His cases against the IRS in the area of real estate taxation have been covered by The Wall Street Journal. In addition to defending real estate investors, he has successfully represented corporations taking deductions for highly-compensated executives after IRS challenges. He holds a Masters Degree (LL.M.) in Tax Law from New York University School of Law, a Juris Doctorate law degree (J.D.) from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, and an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University School of Accounting.
Charles E. (Chuck) Stephens, CPA Chuck Stephens is a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of public accounting experience. He is president of Stephens & Stephens, CPAs, a tax and accounting firm in Franklin, Georgia. Chuck is licensed in insurance and securities and provides financial and estate planning services and nontraditional services such as asset protection and investments.
Jaye E. Tritz, EA, CFP Jaye holds a BA degree from Northwestern University, and is currently a multi-unit franchise owner with H&R Block in southeast Wisconsin. She has been preparing taxes since 1992, having earned her Enrolled Agent designation in 1997. Jaye is also a Certified Financial Planner and is registered with the NASD, holding Series 6, 7, and 63 securities licenses and a Wisconsin insurance license. Jaye's practice provides tax preparation, representation, business services, and financial planning for approximately 3,500 clients. Jaye has been a career-long member of NATP.
Beanna J. Whitlock, EA, CSA Beanna Whitlock is an Enrolled Agent and has been the owner of a private tax and financial services practice in San Antonio, Texas for the past 41 years. She is accredited as a Certified Senior Advisor and is skilled in working with seniors to plan for retirement needs. She served as the Director of the IRS National Public Liaison from 2003-2004. Beanna is an author and instructor specializing in partnership and limited liability company issues with a focus on IRS taxpayer representation, and ethics and professional conduct. She is known for her fierce support of the tax professional community and the value the people in the business of tax bring to the voluntary compliance system. She has testified before Congress, the IRS Oversights Board, and the U.S. Treasury Department. She has been quoted in Time, Newsweek, Accounting Today, and other publications, and she was a featured tax professional on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Accounting Today has honored Beanna as one of the 100 Most Influential in Accounting from 1997 through 2003. She is a financial advisor holding Series 6 and 63 licenses and managing over $14 million in investments for clients.
Lawrence Zimbler, MST, EA Lawrence Zimbler holds a BS degree in mathematics, a MS degree in taxation, and he has successfully completed the Uniform CPA Exam. He is a supervisory securities principal and holds licenses in insurance and mortgages. He has taught undergraduate tax classes at the University of Michigan, Flint and Detroit College of Business. Larry has thirty years of tax experience in a variety of areas including the IRS, professional tax software support and development, and private practice in accounting, tax, and financial services.
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