On the move: Lumsden & McCormick names first non-CPA partner

January 16, 2026 12:17 PM

FASB adds six to Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee; Brown Plus promotes 15; and more news from across the profession.

CALIFORNIA

Jon Cisler

Jon Cisler, international tax partner in the San Jose office at EY, was named to the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley.

CONNECTICUT

The Financial Accounting Standards Board announced the appointment of six new members to its Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee: Rebecca Bloch, associate professor of accounting, Fairfield University; Richard Cole, partner, Forvis Mazars; Susan Eickhoff, partner, KPMG LLP; Vincente Milianti, CFO and COO, Lyric Opera of Chicago; Dawn Stark, partner, Plante Moran; and Amy West, executive vice president and CFO, AHRC New York City.

FLORIDA

Kevin McNally was hired as a tax partner in the commercial real estate practice in the Orlando office, and Sarah Gaymon as a tax partner focusing on trusts and estates services in the Jupiter office, at CohnReznick.

GEORGIA

Lorrie Allegra

Bennett Thrasher, Atlanta, promoted: Lorrie Allegra to partner at the BT Family Office; Ben Bowers to managing director in the personal financial services practice; Jackie Butcher to managing director in the commercial tax practice; and Michael McCord to partner in the commercial tax practice.

ILLINOIS

The Illinois CPA Society and its charitable partner, the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois, recognized the 14th cohort of the annual Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program. (Read the full story.)

KENTUCKY

The Association for Accounting Marketing, Lexington, announced it is now accepting nominations for the AAM 2026 Marketer of the Year award through Feb. 4. More information is available here.

MARYLAND

Lisa Heller, recently promoted to partner at GRF CPAs & Advisors, Bethesda, will also assume the role of director of the nonprofit tax services department, succeeding Richard Locastro, who served in a leadership position in the department since 2007.

MINNESOTA

CLA, Minneapolis, launched its latest brand campaign, "Right there with you," focusing on how CLA's advisors support businesses, nonprofits, government entities and entrepreneurs, and which will launch with a focused media blitz including national cable, homepage takeovers, premium business publisher placements and digital.

MISSOURI

Kelly Engelking transitioned into the role of accounting coordinator at KPM CPAs & Advisors, Springfield.

NEW JERSEY

Michael Almeida

Michael Almeida was promoted to partner at Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman and managing member of RRBB Advisors, Somerset.

Richard Sumida was hired as a national assurance partner specializing in financial services and Richard Fuchs rejoined the firm as an audit partner in its financial services industry practice, at CohnReznick.

The Financial Education & Research Foundation, the independent nonprofit research affiliate of Financial Executives International, Morriston, released its 2026 Financial Executives Priorities Report in partnership with Forvis Mazars.

NEW YORK

Stephanie Wilkinson

Stephanie Wilkinson, chief operating officer, was named partner at Lumsden & McCormick, Buffalo, becoming the firm's first non-CPA partner.

Christopher Mears was hired as a financial services practice leader and partner and Toni Mazzacca as tax partner at Grassi, New York.

Jon Walters, global independence leader for the PricewaterhouseCoopers network of member firms, was appointed a board member by the Public Interest Oversight Board in November 2025 for a three-year term.

EY released a new EY Americas Center for Board Matters report, "2026 Audit Committee Priorities," covering the top five projected risks to achieving financial targets over the next 12 months.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board appointed as a member of the Public Interest Oversight Board: James Ferris, director of audit policy at the U.K. Financial Reporting Council; reappointed current member Greg Schollum, former deputy controller and auditor-general of New Zealand, for a three-year term; and appointed Edo Kienhuis, partner in the PwC audit and assurance practice in Amsterdam, as its new vice chair for a one-year term.

PENNSYLVANIA

Natalie Ciepiela

Brown Plus, Camp Hill, promoted: Natalie Ciepiela to tax manager; Katie Voorhies to audit manager; Nate Bashore, Margaret Geraci, Amber Miller and Connor Shoop to audit supervisor; Madisyn Deller to tax supervisor; Josie Duong to tax senior associate; Karen King, Alexis Petrides and Ryan Shultz to audit senior associate; Crissy Dopkowski to human resources manager; Jeshanah Fox to director of marketing and strategy; Becca Frye to assistant controller; Kayla Juba to marketing manager; and hired: Kimberly Cashman as an audit principal in the insurance practice.

Melissa Hall, marketing coordinator at Boyer & Ritter, Camp Hill, was one of 28 women nominated for the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg's 37th Annual Tribute to Women of Excellence awards.

Daniel Pavlovic was hired as director of business valuation at Trout CPA, Lancaster.

GTM, Wayne, appointed: Brian Thaler, managing director, D.C. metro; Juan Moncada and Brian Volz, directors, New York metro; Bob Smith, director, Philadelphia metro; Luke Wischnowski, director, Pittsburgh; and Sarah Creekmore, Mark Koch, Matt McCord and Kristen Schroeder, principals, SALT direct.

RHODE ISLAND

Jade Toher, Jamie Hansen and Joseph Quattrocchi were promoted to equity partners at KLR, Providence.

TEXAS

Seidel Schroeder promoted to partner: Shelby Lesseig, based in the College Station office, and Amy Skinner in the Katy office.

UTAH

Haynie, Salt Lake City, unveiled a new brand bringing together Haynie CPAs, Haynie Wealth, Haynie IT and the Haynie Foundation under one brand identity and logo.

VIRGINIA

Alex Tuvin

Alex Tuvin was promoted to tax manager and Caleb Gozé to tax senior at Thompson Greenspon, Fairfax.

Forvis Mazars building in Paris

Courtesy of Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars released a new report, "Transforming Public Value," outlining five actionable priorities for state and local governments, utilities and agencies to deliver better outcomes for the communities they serve.