Gene Marks is a columnist, author, and small business owner. Gene writes every day on business, politics and public policy for the Washington Post and weekly for Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur and the Huffington Post. Gene has written 5 books on business management, specifically geared towards small and medium sized companies. Gene owns and operates the Marks Group PC, a highly successful ten-person firm that provides technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. Prior to starting the Marks Group PC Gene, a Certified Public Accountant, spent nine years in the entrepreneurial services arm of the international consulting firm KPMG in Philadelphia where he was a Senior Manager.

Nationally, Gene appears on Fox News, MSNBC and CNBC discussing matters affecting the business community. Through his keynotes and breakout sessions, Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies so they can make profitable decisions.

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Jon F. Kirchoff, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee, 2011) is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. His primary areas of research include sustainable supply chain management, healthcare supply chains, and functional integration. He has published articles in Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, and other academic outlets. Prior to academia, he worked 15 years in global purchasing and logistics management at several Fortune 500 companies, including Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Dish Network

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Jon F. Kirchoff, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee, 2011) is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. His primary areas of research include sustainable supply chain management, healthcare supply chains, and functional integration. He has published articles in Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, and other academic outlets. Prior to academia, he worked 15 years in global purchasing and logistics management at several Fortune 500 companies, including Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Dish Network

Jack Schmoll has spent his entire 28-year career in state and local taxation. He worked nine years with the Washington State Department of Revenue and has work 19 years in public accounting. He works extensively with other accounting firms, helping them provide the state and local tax expertise their clients need. He enjoys working with North Carolina issues, but works regularly on multistate tax issues as well. Jack is a regular presenter for the NCACPA and other organizations and also provides state and local tax education directly to CPA firms and businesses.

Marcy Twete is a recognized leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability for multinational Fortune 500 companies, and has a background both broad and deep in ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors, ethical decision-making, marketing and communications. She is the founder and CEO Marcy Twete Consulting where she advises corporations of all sizes, their investors and key partners on environmental, social and governance risks and reputation management.

In addition to leading her consulting practice, Marcy also co-hosts Office Baggage, a podcast that tackles topics for women in business that are all too often brushed under the office rug. In June 2020, she will launch Table Stakes: The Podcast for Responsible, Sustainable Businesses & Leaders, discussing the issues of sustainability with forward-thinking leaders to forecast the future of responsible business.

Marcy is a proud Trustee at the Chicago Architecture Center, and a former member of the Boards of Directors for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and Step Up. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the College of Saint Benedict and her MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In late 2020, after nearly 10 years in Chicago, Marcy and her husband Charlie relocated to their former home of Minneapolis with their tabby cat Betsey and terrier mix Pearl. You’ll find them running on Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek near their home in South Minneapolis.

Jack Schmoll has spent his entire 28-year career in state and local taxation. He worked nine years with the Washington State Department of Revenue and has work 19 years in public accounting. He works extensively with other accounting firms, helping them provide the state and local tax expertise their clients need. He enjoys working with North Carolina issues, but works regularly on multistate tax issues as well. Jack is a regular presenter for the NCACPA and other organizations and also provides state and local tax education directly to CPA firms and businesses.

Dr. Holly Sullenger is an award-winning, internationally renowned veteran in the fields of corporate speaking, training, and consulting. She offers expert speaking and training opportunities in the areas of leadership, professional development, and technology.

Dr. Holly has worked with individuals representing a vast array of different occupations and industries. She is known for being able to present high-level topics in ways that make the content easy to understand, to assimilate, and to act on. Dr. Holly’s passions include prompting “light bulb moments” in her participants, and helping professionals stay relevant in their fields.

Dr. Holly has a PhD in Adult, Workforce and Continuing Professional Education from NC State University, as well as degrees in Adult Education, Business Management, Computer Science and Liberal Arts. This enables her to combine an in-depth knowledge of business and industry with adult-education techniques and infused humor in order to bring unparalleled knowledge and assistance to those she partners with.

Michael Walden is a Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University and a private consultant. During his 43 years on the faculty at NC State, Walden became recognized as an expert on the state economy and public policy. He is the author of twelve books and over 300 articles and reports, and he has made 3000 personal presentations. Walden is also a frequent contributor to the national and state media. He has won numerous national, state, and academic awards, including two Champion-Tuck Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting, the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Public Service, the Holladay Award for Excellence from North Carolina State University, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. His newest books are “Real Solutions” and “Disunionia: A Political Thriller.” He resides in Raleigh with his wife.

Robert works with our members to develop, implement, and communicate NCACPA’s advocacy agenda to legislators and regulators. He serves as staff liaison to the Advocacy Advisory Council and Taxation Committee. Robert has extensive experience as a lobbyist, PAC fundraiser, and grassroots manager for trade associations. A native of Tennessee, he worked in Nashville and Atlanta before moving to Raleigh in 2013. He earned his Certified Association Executive credential in 2020.

Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute—the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionalsinternationally—and a radio talk-show host on the www.VoiceAmerica.comshow: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, and the Chief Value Officer at ArmaninoLLP.

As a frequent speaker, writer, and educator, his work takes him around the world. He has been an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation since 1995 and has authored over twenty courses for them, including: You Are What You Charge For: Success in Today’s Emerging Experience Economy (with Daniel Morris);Alternatives to the Federal Income Tax; Trashing the Timesheet: A Declaration of Independence; Everyday Economics; Everyday Ethics: Doing Well by Doing Good; and The Best Business Books You Should Read.

He is the author of seven best-selling books, including:Professional’s Guide to Value Pricing; The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services, co-authored with Paul Dunn; Pricing on Purpose: Creating and Capturing Value; Measure What Matters to Customers:Using Key Predictive Indicators; Mind Over Matter: Why Intellectual Capital is the Chief Source of Wealth; Implementing Value Pricing: A Radical Business Model for Professional Firms; and his latest book The Soul of Enterprise: Dialogues on Business in the Knowledge Economy, co-authored with Ed Kless.

Ron has toured the world, spreading his value-pricing message to over 220,000 professionals. He has been appointed to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Group of One Hundred, a think tank of leaders to address the future of the profession; named on Accounting Today’s 2001 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019, Top 100 Most Influential People in the profession; voted among the Top Ten Most Influential People in the profession in 2012—2019; selected as one of LinkedIn’s Influencer Bloggers; inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018; and received the 2003 Award for Instructor Excellence from the California CPA Education Foundation.

He graduated in 1984 from San Francisco State University, with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a minor in economics. He is a graduate of Disney University and Cato University, and is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.

Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute—the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionalsinternationally—and a radio talk-show host on the www.VoiceAmerica.comshow: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, and the Chief Value Officer at ArmaninoLLP.

As a frequent speaker, writer, and educator, his work takes him around the world. He has been an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation since 1995 and has authored over twenty courses for them, including: You Are What You Charge For: Success in Today’s Emerging Experience Economy (with Daniel Morris);Alternatives to the Federal Income Tax; Trashing the Timesheet: A Declaration of Independence; Everyday Economics; Everyday Ethics: Doing Well by Doing Good; and The Best Business Books You Should Read.

He is the author of seven best-selling books, including:Professional’s Guide to Value Pricing; The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services, co-authored with Paul Dunn; Pricing on Purpose: Creating and Capturing Value; Measure What Matters to Customers:Using Key Predictive Indicators; Mind Over Matter: Why Intellectual Capital is the Chief Source of Wealth; Implementing Value Pricing: A Radical Business Model for Professional Firms; and his latest book The Soul of Enterprise: Dialogues on Business in the Knowledge Economy, co-authored with Ed Kless.

Ron has toured the world, spreading his value-pricing message to over 220,000 professionals. He has been appointed to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Group of One Hundred, a think tank of leaders to address the future of the profession; named on Accounting Today’s 2001 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019, Top 100 Most Influential People in the profession; voted among the Top Ten Most Influential People in the profession in 2012—2019; selected as one of LinkedIn’s Influencer Bloggers; inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018; and received the 2003 Award for Instructor Excellence from the California CPA Education Foundation.

He graduated in 1984 from San Francisco State University, with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a minor in economics. He is a graduate of Disney University and Cato University, and is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.

Leah Donti, an internationally recognized seminar leader and speaker in accounting and auditing, has been doing seminars full time for 29 years through her seminar business. She conducts in-house training at CPA firms and various multinationals and does CPE courses through the CPA societies. As well, she speaks at numerous conferences across North America each year.

She speaks on FASB update, Private company GAAP developments, IFRS, variable interest entities, accounting and auditing update, SEC and PCAOB update, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, business combinations, compilation and review, and fair value accounting.

She also provides proprietary prep seminars for the IQEX reciprocity exam where foreign accountants obtain the US CPA credential.

Prior to beginning her seminar business in 1991, Ms. Donti worked for a major information management consulting organization, where she provided training to offices across North America. She also worked with an accounting software firm, offering accounting education courses to clients on site. In addition, she held positions in internal audit and Accounting with Canadian Pacific, one of the largest companies in Canada, dual listed in Toronto and New York.

In 1984, she graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor in Accounting and Finance. In 1990, she obtained her MBA from Concordia University in Montreal.

For the last 11 years (2010 to 2020), Leah has received the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award for her passion, energy and ability to speak at all levels of professionals and made her a most sought-out speaker.

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, writes for multiple accounting media outlets, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Brian started teaching CPA review courses in 1997, and currently works with Yaeger CPA Review.

Tankersley has been recognized eight times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Brian has made presentations in 47 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He has received numerous awards for his writing and speaking from state CPA societies. Brian has presented sessions at most major national accounting technology conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Summit, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference.

Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.

Leah Donti, an internationally recognized seminar leader and speaker in accounting and auditing, has been doing seminars full time for 29 years through her seminar business. She conducts in-house training at CPA firms and various multinationals and does CPE courses through the CPA societies. As well, she speaks at numerous conferences across North America each year.

She speaks on FASB update, Private company GAAP developments, IFRS, variable interest entities, accounting and auditing update, SEC and PCAOB update, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, business combinations, compilation and review, and fair value accounting.

She also provides proprietary prep seminars for the IQEX reciprocity exam where foreign accountants obtain the US CPA credential.

Prior to beginning her seminar business in 1991, Ms. Donti worked for a major information management consulting organization, where she provided training to offices across North America. She also worked with an accounting software firm, offering accounting education courses to clients on site. In addition, she held positions in internal audit and Accounting with Canadian Pacific, one of the largest companies in Canada, dual listed in Toronto and New York.

In 1984, she graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor in Accounting and Finance. In 1990, she obtained her MBA from Concordia University in Montreal.

For the last 11 years (2010 to 2020), Leah has received the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award for her passion, energy and ability to speak at all levels of professionals and made her a most sought-out speaker.

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, writes for multiple accounting media outlets, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Brian started teaching CPA review courses in 1997, and currently works with Yaeger CPA Review.

Tankersley has been recognized eight times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Brian has made presentations in 47 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He has received numerous awards for his writing and speaking from state CPA societies. Brian has presented sessions at most major national accounting technology conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Summit, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference.

Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.

Louise W. Reed received her master’s degree in physics from Duke University and Master of Accounting from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She became a licensed CPA in 2004 and started her own public accounting practice in 2006, where she currently bills in bitcoin per hour. Reed’s interest in blockchain technology led to her most recent innovation, Afloat, Inc. The company utilizes blockchain technology and smart contracts to automate the exchange of state transferable taxable credits.

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, writes for multiple accounting media outlets, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Brian started teaching CPA review courses in 1997, and currently works with Yaeger CPA Review.

Tankersley has been recognized eight times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Brian has made presentations in 47 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He has received numerous awards for his writing and speaking from state CPA societies. Brian has presented sessions at most major national accounting technology conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Summit, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference.

Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.

Louise W. Reed received her master’s degree in physics from Duke University and Master of Accounting from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She became a licensed CPA in 2004 and started her own public accounting practice in 2006, where she currently bills in bitcoin per hour. Reed’s interest in blockchain technology led to her most recent innovation, Afloat, Inc. The company utilizes blockchain technology and smart contracts to automate the exchange of state transferable taxable credits.

Mike Cheng joined Frazier & Deeter in 2019 as the Partner who oversees the firm’s professional practices related to accounting and audit. As part of this role, he specializes in assisting clients with complex accounting and financial reporting issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a Senior Project Manager at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). At the FASB, he served as the Private Company Council (PCC) coordinator, where he was responsible for all PCC related matters.
In addition, Mike led projects to simplify the accounting for non-employee share-based payments, help shape the future of the FASB technical agenda and improve consolidations guidance (VIE guidance). Most recently, he worked on the FASB’s implementation team on revenue recognition (ASC Topic 606) and lease accounting (ASC Topic 842). Prior to joining the FASB, Mike held various management positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was an Audit Senior Manager, Private Company Services, in the firm’s Stamford, CT office.
From 2003-2011, he also held roles of increasing responsibility in PwC’s Core Assurance divisions in Buffalo and Rochester, NY.

Hunter is a retired Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP partner. For his last three years at DHG, he was part of the firm’s Professional Standards Group and a member of the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board. Prior to joining DHG, Hunter taught accounting and auditing at Wake Forest University for one year. Following his graduation from Newberry College with a BS in Accounting, he worked as an auditor with Ernst & Young in various capacities, including partner. Hunter is a past Chair of NCACPA and past President of the NC State Board of CPA Examiners, and has served as a contributing author to PPC’s Guide to Preparing Financial Statements. He is currently a member of the NASBA Ethics Committee and Peer Review Compliance Committee, the Oversite Task Force of the AICPA Peer Review Board, and the AACSB Accounting Accreditation Policy Committee. Hunter leads CPE programs covering professional ethics in North Carolina and courses covering technical material across the country. He is a CPA in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Mike Cheng joined Frazier & Deeter in 2019 as the Partner who oversees the firm’s professional practices related to accounting and audit. As part of this role, he specializes in assisting clients with complex accounting and financial reporting issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a Senior Project Manager at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). At the FASB, he served as the Private Company Council (PCC) coordinator, where he was responsible for all PCC related matters.
In addition, Mike led projects to simplify the accounting for non-employee share-based payments, help shape the future of the FASB technical agenda and improve consolidations guidance (VIE guidance). Most recently, he worked on the FASB’s implementation team on revenue recognition (ASC Topic 606) and lease accounting (ASC Topic 842). Prior to joining the FASB, Mike held various management positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was an Audit Senior Manager, Private Company Services, in the firm’s Stamford, CT office.
From 2003-2011, he also held roles of increasing responsibility in PwC’s Core Assurance divisions in Buffalo and Rochester, NY.

Hunter is a retired Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP partner. For his last three years at DHG, he was part of the firm’s Professional Standards Group and a member of the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board. Prior to joining DHG, Hunter taught accounting and auditing at Wake Forest University for one year. Following his graduation from Newberry College with a BS in Accounting, he worked as an auditor with Ernst & Young in various capacities, including partner. Hunter is a past Chair of NCACPA and past President of the NC State Board of CPA Examiners, and has served as a contributing author to PPC’s Guide to Preparing Financial Statements. He is currently a member of the NASBA Ethics Committee and Peer Review Compliance Committee, the Oversite Task Force of the AICPA Peer Review Board, and the AACSB Accounting Accreditation Policy Committee. Hunter leads CPE programs covering professional ethics in North Carolina and courses covering technical material across the country. He is a CPA in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Jim has delivered over 5,000 hours of C-suite executive coaching. His professional experience includes Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing.

Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.

Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.
Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.
Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.

Becky Drozdz is the HR Advisor, Compensation Lead for Catapult. From our locations in Raleigh, Charlotte and High Point, North Carolina, we serve over 2200 member organizations across the state. Becky is primarily responsible for advising companies in the areas of compensation and benchmark data, and tailoring compensation consulting services to meet the needs of the member. This includes, but is not limited to, assessment or creation of salary structures; job analysis; and FLSA guidance.

Becky earned her Master of Business Administration from Marymount University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois. She has experience in the areas of compensation, job analysis, organizational communications, recruitment and retention, and employee relations. Becky is also a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Javier is a Principal within the Cybersecurity Services Group at CLA and has been in the cybersecurity field for over 12 years. Javier leads a team of technology and industry specialists providing IT audits and security assessments for clients in a wide range of industries and diverse operating environments. Prior to joining CLA, Javier spent ten years supporting the Department of Defense as well as a financial services company in the fields of insider threat, incident response, fraud, waste and abuse, analytics, and systems engineering. Since Javier has been with CLA, he has spent the majority of his time providing IT Security, Risk, and Consulting services to clients in healthcare, higher education, and financial related institutions.

Kecia Williams Smith, Ph.D CPA, is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Master of Accountancy (MACC) Program in the Department of Accounting and Finance at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T). She holds degrees from NC A&T and Texas A&M University, where she completed her PhD in June 2016.

Prior to entering academia, she was a senior manager at Deloitte where she led engagement teams in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice. Immediately prior to starting her doctoral studies, she was an Associate Director at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) where she created and led the Inspections Training Office that served over 400 inspection personnel.

David Cieslak is Chief Cloud Officer and EVP with RKL eSolutions, a leading business process automation consulting firm with offices across the US. In his role, he is responsible for helping companies grow strategically with cloud-based solutions and industry-specific service expertise for ERP, CPM, CRM, AP Automation, and other critical business processes.

He is a frequent speaker for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and other state accounting societies as his alter ego “Inspector Gadget.” He is a Sage Intacct Certified Consultant and holds the GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC). He is the past Chair of the AICPA IT Executive Committee and past president of the California CPA Education Foundation.