Spring Township, Berks County-based Herbein + Co. Inc. named Merle Dunkelberger a senior consultant and member of the tax department. Dunkelberger has more than 40 years of public accounting, tax and leadership experience.
Banking and finance
Ithaca, New York-based Tompkins Community Bank named Laurie Grube community banking division manager of its Pennsylvania market. Grube has 33 years of banking industry experience and will oversee retail and business development strategies and manage branch operations. Paula Barron, who was senior vice president and community banking division manager of its Pennsylvania market, retired. Barron had 34 years of banking experience, 24 with Tompkins.
Health care
Lehigh Valley Health Network named Dr. Ravi Samy chief of the division of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery. Samy treats pediatric and adult otology and neurotology and specializes in skull-base tumor resection, hearing loss, working with cochlear implantation, auditory brainstem implementation and implantable hearing devices.
Nonprofits
Bethlehem, Northampton County-based New Bethany Ministries named Michael J. Fischer vice president of its board of directors. He will serve on the organization’s executive, finance and development committees. Fischer is president and CEO of Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County-based Client 1st Financial.
Herbein +Company, Inc. headquarters in Reading – PHOTO/PROVIDED
A Reading-based CPA advisory firm is expanding to reestablish itself in wealth management.
Herbein + Company, Inc. (Herbein) announced Tuesday the creation of Herbein Financial Group, a strategic partnership with Northeast Financial Group, Inc. (NEFG).
Herbein Financial Group provides wealth management and retirement plan solutions for individuals, businesses, and retirement plans.
The new entity will be led by NEFG Principal and Herbein Financial Group Partner Josh Laychock, who with more than 20 years of financial services experience, specializes in fiduciary best practices for qualified retirement plans and delivering a comprehensive approach for private wealth solutions.
“We’re excited to reestablish our firm in the wealth management category, which we view as a critical element in our portfolio of services,” said Herbein President & CEO David W. Stonesifer. “Herbein Financial Group professionals are ready to help our clients preserve and grow their wealth and plan for their financial futures.”
Founded in 1987, Northeast Financial Group, Inc. (NEFG) is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm and maintains a commitment to providing comprehensive fiduciary and investment services. The team currently manages approximately $850 million in assets under management.
“Partnering with Herbein represents an exceptional strategic and cultural fit. As Herbein Financial Group, we will increase the depth and breadth of our services and position the new firm as a premier wealth management provider in the region,” Laychock said.
Lancaster-based RKL LLP ranks first in Pennsylvania and 57th nationwide in the latest roundup of the 100 largest CPA and advisory firms from industry publication Accounting Today.
Ed Monborne
RKL’s 2023 national ranking, based on prior year revenue of $113.16 million, is five spots higher than its 2022 position. The firm also ranked as 10th largest in the Mid-Atlantic, up five spots from last year’s regional tally.
“2022 was another year of success and innovation here at RKL, as we continue to apply our capabilities and expertise in new ways to address evolving management and financial needs,” said RKL CEO Ed Monborne. “We’re grateful for the trusted relationships with our colleagues, our clients and our communities, which make accolades like this possible.”
In 2022, RKL expanded its geographic footprint, with new offices in Franklin and Adams counties. Last fall, the firm launched a new entity, RKL Virtual Management Solutions, and a reimagined spectrum of wealth-focused services, RKL Private Wealth.
RKL Virtual changes daily management of core functions, like accounting, finance and HR, into improved performance and results, the company said. RKL Private Wealth takes a unified approach to life and legacy planning for high-net-worth individuals and families, with a lineup of financial planning, tax, investment and advisory solutions.
At the core of RKL’s next-level approach is a commitment to others and the firm’s guiding values, RKL said. The RKL team aims to be bold, caring and collaborative as they serve clients, grow as professionals and people, and give back to our communities.
Proactive and comprehensive service from RKL advisors earned a world-class satisfaction rating from the firm’s clients on a 2022 survey, while innovative service development creates compelling growth opportunities for RKL team members.
Jack Kolmansberger, Amy Klatt, Benjamin Leisawitz, Todd Lineburger, Molly MacDonald and Kristen Walsh. PHOTO/PROVIDED
Accounting
Spring Township, Berks County-based Herbein + Co. Inc. named Jack Kolmansberger chief growth officer. Kolmansberger will lead the firm’s sales and business development efforts. Amy Klatt was named chief marketing officer. Klatt will be responsible for brand management, integrated and content marketing, digital marketing and advertising and sponsorships.
Stephanie Atkins, Ashley Blessing, Nick Bieber and Corey Robinson were named senior managers.
Rick Bastida and Nicole Yuengel were named managers. Melanie Serrano was named a supervisor. Lauren Anastasi, Alex Papoutsis, Shaun Rostek, Emily Seaman-Brennan and T. Paige Famous were named seniors. Jonathan Schnitzer, Vince Sciortino and Sean McGuire were named advanced staff.
Patrick Brady was named information technology support supervisor, Jennifer Werner was named support supervisor, Jason Kline was named consulting manager and Julia Nelson was named executive assistant. Savorn Ung and Jennifer Betz were named managers and Ryan Raudenbush was named senior, all in the Spring House, Montgomery County, office. Stephen Collins was named manager, Dalton Weller and Yazaira Colon-Sostre were named supervisors, Sebastian Buckley was named advanced staff, Victoria Zak was named senior consultant and Natalie Reifsneider was named consulting manager, all in the Allentown, Lehigh County, office.
Associations
Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry named Sara Kuzma-Stump chairwoman of the board. Laura Haffner was named vice chairwoman, Jack Gombach was named treasurer, and Michele Richards was named immediate past chair. Kuzma-Stump is director of sales and marketing with Suburban Testing Labs Inc. Haffner is regional bank president at Wells Fargo. Gombach, is a government affairs consultant with McNees Strategic Solutions Group. Richards is director of treasury sales at Fulton Bank. Alba Fernandez, Benjamin A. Leisawitz, Mike Riley and Stephen Bonner were named board members. Fernandez is vice president and community lender at Community First Fund. Leisawitz is a partner with Barley Snyder. Riley is an account executive at EthoSource. Bonner is vice president of operations at DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.
Banking and finance
Scranton, Lackawanna County-based Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. named Jeffrey Drobins executive vice president and chief lending officer. He will lead origination, portfolio management and credit quality across all lending products.
Education
Allentown, Lehigh County-based Muhlenberg College named Todd Lineburger vice president for communications and marketing. Lineburger will oversee internal and external communications strategy, branding, creative and digital strategy, media relations and crisis management.
Manufacturing
Upper Nazareth Township, Northampton County-based C.F. Martin & Co. elected Mary Haas and Brian Richardi board members. Haas is CEO and president of Sustaera Inc. Richardi leads the finance data science team at Stryker.
Marketing
Altitude Marketing named Molly MacDonald client engagement manager. MacDonald will be the primary point of contact for certain clients and assist with implementing creative marketing strategies and enabling clients to achieve their business goals.
Nonprofits
Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County-based Bloom, which offers housing and resources to women survivors of sex trafficking, named Dinoli Rowlands, Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu, Tiffany Sondergaard and Ernie Stiegler board members. Rowlands is vice president and regional business banking relationship manager with PNC Bank. Sallie-Dosunmu is CEO of Precision Talent International. Sondergaard is founder and public relations and event planning specialist with ts PR & Event Planning. Stiegler is vice president of Client Engagement with SWBR Inc.
Hanover Township, Northampton County-based Valley Youth House named Kristen Walsh associate director of development. Walsh will work with individual donors, corporations and foundations to increase philanthropy and advance the agency’s mission.
Allentown, Lehigh County-based Community Music School – Lehigh Valley & Berks elected Michael Yeager president, James Warfel vice president, Tom Fenstermacher treasurer and Mark Stein secretary. Yeager retired as CEO of Community Insurance Co. Warfel is a retired educator. Fenstermacher retired as chief financial officer of Hospital Central Services Inc. Stein is associate professor at Muhlenberg College. Laura M. Attieh was elected a board member. Attieh is an attorney with King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul LLC.
Reading, Berks County-based Humane Pennsylvania elected Caitlin Calvaresi, Bob Massino, and Kevin Wolfe board members. Calvaresi is a commercial lines account executive for Tompkins Insurance Bank. Massino is vice president and cash management sales officer for Tompkins Financial. Wolfe is a commercial real estate agent with NAI Keystone.
RKL Lehigh Valley Managing Partner Michael Stoudt (second from right) cuts the ribbon at the firm’s expanded Allentown office, joined by (left to right), Frank Facchiano of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Allentown City Councilman Daryl Hendricks, RKL Tax Service Line Leader and Partner Wendy Lance and a staff representative from Congresswoman Wild’s office.
Lancaster-based CPA and advisor firm, RKL, is continuing its expansion in the Lehigh Valley.
One year since the launch of its Allentown location, the firm said it has more than tripled its office space and added new areas of specialized expertise to its local team of advisors.
The firm said it sought to expand into the Lehigh Valley because of the demand it saw for its accounting, financial management, technology and workforce solutions among companies and organizations in the area.
“We opened our office in Allentown to be closer to many valued clients, but we always knew there was unlimited potential to serve the regional business community,” said RKL CEO Ed Monborne. “We’re proud that our growth in the Lehigh Valley allows us to help even more organizations reach the next level.”
This summer, RKL expanded its space in the Butz Corporate Center from 2,600 to 8,400 square feet.
The added office provides more space for client meetings and team collaboration, and better accommodates RKL’s growing team in the region.
In the past several months, three team members have transferred to Allentown from other RKL offices, including Zachary Galloway small business services manager; Jeremy Schultz, small business senior associate and· James Ruffin, Assurance and Advisory manager
These recent additions have grown RKL’s Allentown office staff to 14 professionals and created a local base of expertise in IT risk assessment, SOC reporting and employee benefit plan audits.
Additionally, Eric Williams, an existing Allentown team member, recently took on a new role as a wealth analyst, serving the financial and legacy planning needs of high-net-worth individuals and their families.
Louis J. LeMaster, managing partner of Buckno Lisicky & Company –
Buckno Lisicky & Company has joined the BDO Alliance USA, a nationwide association of independently owned local and regional accounting, consulting and service firms with similar client service goals.
The BDO Alliance USA helps member firms, by allowing them to access the resources of BDO USA, LLP and other Alliance members, to expand services to their clients without jeopardizing their existing relationships or their autonomy.
As an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA, Buckno Lisicky & Company can expand the services offered to clients by drawing on the resources of BDO USA, LLP and other alliance members.
The firm serves clients through more than 65 offices and over 750 independent alliance firm locations nationwide.
As an independent Member Firm of BDO International Limited, BDO serves multi-national clients through a global network of more than 91,000 people working out of more than 1,600 offices across 167 countries.
“Our client base here in the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey is increasingly exploring business opportunities in other domestic markets and foreign countries. The BDO Alliance USA allows us to better serve these clients as they expand regionally, nationally and globally, while maintaining our autonomy,” said Louis J. LeMaster, managing partner of Buckno Lisicky & Company. “In addition to the geographic benefits, our firm will have access to greater technical knowledge and specialty services of BDO USA and its international organization.”
The BDO Alliance USA enhances Member firm capabilities through the availability of supplementary professional services, comprehensive management consulting services, focused industry knowledge, and internal training programs.
Starting Nov. 1, an accounting and business services firm that has served the Lehigh Valley for 60 years will be going by a new name.
Concannon Miller, which has offices in Bethlehem and Florida, is merging into a larger firm, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), which is a global network of independent accounting firms.
Concannon Miller President and CEO Ted Witman said that while it is bittersweet saying goodbye to the firm’s name, he said CLA is a well-known and respected accounting firm both across the country and globally and merging into the company will open up many opportunities.
“The name Concannon Miller has been so well known in the Lehigh Valley, but CLA has very strong name recognition throughout the country,” said Witman.
The decision to merge into a larger firm came after a great deal of deliberation.
“We’ve experienced tremendous growth in the last several years,” Witman said. “We have struggled to find the resources to meet that growth, especially for our national McDonald’s accounts.”
While Concannon Miller had never previously entertained the idea of an upwards merger, stakeholders decided that at this time, such a move could solve many of its problems.
After a search, they sought out a merger with CLA, which Witman said shared a similar culture and had the leadership they wanted and the resources they needed.
Other than the name, Witman said clients won’t see too much of a change. Concanon Miller will continue to operate out of its current office, with the Bethlehem office answering to the Plymouth Meeting CLA office and the St. Petersburg, Florida office answering to the Tampa CLA office.
Local management will stay the same. Witman’s title will change to director of operations.
Clients will be serviced by the same staff members they are now, but with CLA’s network of 120 offices in the country, the newly merged firm will be able to offer new services that it wasn’t before.
“We will be able to offer resources that Concanon Miller didn’t have,” Witman said.
Reading-based CPA firm, Herbein+ Co. Inc., has taken another step in its goal towards becoming a full business service provider, with the acquisition of Ohio based organizational psychology firm Watterson & Associates Inc.
Dave Stonesifer, managing partner of Herbein, said the acquisition will allow the company to offer its clients more services.
“As a CPA firm, our goal is to be a solutions provider for our clients and that goes beyond accounting and taxes,” he said.
With Watterson, Herbein will be able to help companies with personnel issues such as conducting Meyers-Briggs type tests and help place new hires in the right position.
“It bolts on nicely to the other HR services we have,” said Stonesifer.
He noted that Herbein had acquired the Reading-based Mosteller HR in July of last year, which began the firm’s expansion into the full service business solutions arena.
This latest acquisition will bolster those human resources efforts, Stonesifer said.
Founded in 1996, Watterson & Associates Inc. strategically partners with companies to manage employee development needs.
Organizations can turn to Watterson for expert advice on making strong hiring decisions, sustaining employee development, and ultimately, realizing a long-term return on investment. This develops sound succession planning with management and leadership growth processes.
As part of Herbein, Watterson will initially operate as a Herbein division called Herbein | Watterson Talent Solutions.
By January 2024, the division will transition to operate as Herbein Talent Solutions.
“As we all know, the nature of the workplace is rapidly changing – and as companies and organizations adapt to their next normal, organizational psychologists have an important role to play in the post-pandemic era,” said Stonesifer. “As business leaders look for an edge that will put their companies ahead and make their teams more efficient, we are excited to add this vital resource to our portfolio of client services.”
Watterson is led by Gary Kustis, a nationally recognized expert in organizational psychology and business, and the team’s operations vice president Kristin Smith. Kustis and Smith will join Herbein | Watterson Talent Solutions as partners.
Brynn Schafer and Amanda Miller, both client service managers with RKL Virtual, sit with Gretchen Naso, RKL Virtual president. PHOTO/PROVIDED –
A new subsidiary allowing business leaders to focus on optimizing and managing the accounting, finance, and workforce functions of organizations nationwide has been introduced by Lancaster-based RKL LLP.
Built from the CPA and advisory’s firm lineup of outsourced services, RKL Virtual Management Solutions LLC (RKL Virtual) will serve as a platform for continued growth.
“With RKL Virtual Management Solutions, we’re transforming the conventional outsourcing model into an opportunity to leverage talent, processes and technology to help organizations work smarter, perform better and achieve goals,” RKL CEO Ed Monborne said. “It’s an exciting time at RKL as we once again expand the notion of what’s possible for our team and our clients.”
Outsourced accounting, financial management, and human resources are offered by RKL Virtual, which combines credentialed advisors with best-in-class technology to elevate day-to-day management of core business functions into opportunities for streamlined operations, better insights, and accelerated growth.
“Over the past few years, owners and executives realized that what got them to this point won’t get them to the next level, which generated explosive demand for our outsourced back-office services,” Bethany Novis, managing partner of RKL Virtual Management Solutions, said. “RKL Virtual gives us a scalable platform to address this desire for forward-looking support.”
Novis is a member of a nearly all-female leadership team leading RKL Virtual. Novis focuses on building a strong growth foundation for RKL Virtual.
The team includes:
Gretchen Naso, president of RKL Virtual. Naso leads operations and manages strategic goals and growth targets.
Stephane Smith, managing director of workforce strategies. Smith leads the delivery and development of human resources and compensation services.
Ryan Moore, partner and managing director of finance and operations. Moore leads the delivery and development of outsourced accounting and financial management services.
RKL LLP is an advisory firm with offices located in Reading, Allentown, York, Chambersburg, Mechanicsburg, and Exton.
Lancaster-based RKL LLP named one of its partners from Berks County to lead the firm’s Small Business Services Group.
Dan Nickischer – PHOTO/PROVIDED
Daniel Nickischer will lead a team of RKL advisors to serve the tax, accounting and financial needs of small business owners and direct firm wide efforts related to quality control, client service and workforce development.
He succeeds James Ostrowski who led the Small Business Services Group for seven years and remains a partner with the firm, RKL said.
“We congratulate Dan Nickischer as he embarks on this opportunity to help shape our firm’s future, advance our strategic objectives and enrich the lives of our team and clients,” said RKL CEO Ed Monborne. “We also acknowledge Jim Ostrowski’s leadership and contributions to the growth and evolution of the Small Business Services Group over the past seven years.”
Nickischer specializes in compiled and reviewed financial statements, employee stock ownership plan accounting, and corporate, partnership and individual tax services, the firm said.
He earned the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional designation in January 2020. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Construction Financial Management Association.
Nickischer holds a B.S. in Accounting from West Chester University and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Pittsburgh. He resides in Amity Township, Berks County, with his wife and daughter.
Ted Witman, president and COO of Concannon Miller –
Bethlehem-based accounting firm Concannon Miller has been named to Accounting Today’s 2022 Fastest Growing Firms in the U.S. for 2022.
Concannon Miller’s revenue grew 27.34% in 2021, landing the firm at no. 20 on the list.
According to the firm, its growth was largely because of increased consulting services to clients, especially related to COVID-19 tax credits and other funding. Concannon Miller also completed the strategic acquisition of Abraham, Borda, Corvino, Butz, LaValva & Co. in fall 2020.
The firm also recently won the Best of Accounting award for providing superior service, given through the third-party national consulting firm ClearlyRated.
“We are blessed with an incredible team of talented and hardworking staff; an exceptional year like this is a result of the expertise and dedication they provide to our clients each and every day,” says Ted Witman, Concannon Miller president & COO. “We also want to thank our clients – both long-term and new – for the trust they place in us to advise and improve their results.”
Concannon Miller’s team of 150 employees is led by a 17-shareholder team.
The firm has two offices, one in Bethlehem and one in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The company is the largest CPA firm headquartered in the Lehigh Valley, where it specializes in serving privately held businesses and their owners and is one of the leading providers of CPA services to McDonald’s Owners.
Bethlehem accounting firm Concannon Miller has named Jess Cyphers as a shareholder of the firm.
Cyphers is a leader in the firm’s small business niche, advising manufacturers, real estate companies, and professional services firms. He specializes in tax planning, accounting, consulting and employee benefit plan audits.
Cyphers holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from West Chester University and has worked in public accounting for more than 20 years. He is a board member of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley.
He was a former shareholder at Abraham Borda, which joined with Concannon Miller in 2020.
“Jess is a highly skilled CPA and business advisor and we’re very excited for the executive experience he’ll add to our leadership team,” said Ted Witman, Concannon Miller president & COO.
Concannon Miller has worked on an evolving leadership transition plan since 2003, including the creation of strategic growth plans and comprehensive management development plans. Cyphers joins a team of 17 shareholders.
He lives in Palmer Township.
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