Professionals on the Move is a collection of news briefs from around the profession, sharing promotions, new hires, leadership changes, awards and other staffing announcements.
Marc Chase joins Grant Thornton to lead Private Equity practice
Grant Thornton, one of America’s largest brands of professionals providing end-to-end audit, assurance, tax and advisory services, recently announced that Marc Chase has joined the firm as its Private Equity practice leader.
In this role, he will oversee the growth, strategy, and operations of the firm’s Private Equity industry practice, guiding its efforts to deliver tailored solutions across a range of high-quality service offerings.
Based in New York, Chase brings to Grant Thornton more than 25 years of experience in the private equity space, working with venture capital funds, professional service firms, real estate private equity firms, and private companies. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Chase led the national private equity practice at RSM and created and executed the inaugural private equity strategy for Baker Tilly.
Chase holds a master’s degree from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas and a bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher University.
Grassi Announces New Executive Operational Leaders
Grassi, a top provider of advisory, tax, and accounting services, recently announced two strategic additions to its executive leadership team. Beth More has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer, and Kenny Li has joined the firm as Chief Information Officer, strengthening the firm’s operational leadership during a pivotal time of growth and innovation.
About Beth More
Throughout her 20+ year career, Beth has led transformative marketing efforts for global and national professional services firms, including Mazars USA and Sidley Austin LLP. Her expertise spans brand management, campaign execution, digital transformation, public relations, and team development. Beth earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in journalism from Kent State University.
About Kenny Li
Before joining Grassi, Kenny served as Partner and Chief Technology Officer at Citrin Cooperman, where he led transformative technology initiatives that supported the firm’s rapid growth; from approximately $90 million to $800 million in revenue. Kenny has also served as an Advisory Board Member of Digital CPA and an Accounting Advisory Board Member of Intapp. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Technology Systems from Pace University.
Simpson Thacher Deepens Tax Bench with Registered Funds Partner in New York
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, one of the world’s leading international law firms, recently announced that Ari Zak has joined the Firm’s New York office as a Partner in the Tax Practice.
Ari focuses his practice on the taxation of investment funds and their investors, particularly on matters relating to mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, business development companies and variable insurance funds. He also advises on matters relating to private investment funds, including debt funds and private equity funds, in addition to transactional matters involving clients in the financial services industry.
Simpson Thacher’s Tax Practice is continuously called upon by investment funds, banks, multinational corporations and other leading companies for advice on their largest and most complex transactions, with the global team handling Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity, Capital Markets, Investment Funds and Real Estate.
Grassi Strengthens Tax and Audit Practices with Addition of Two Senior Professionals
Grassi, a leading provider of advisory, tax, and accounting services, recently announced the addition of two senior professionals in its Tax and Audit service practices. Lindsay Faulstich, CPA, MST, joins the firm as a Tax Partner and Dawn Darnell, CPA, joins as an Audit Principal. These additions further enhance Grassi’s leading tax and audit practices, reinforcing the firm’s ability to deliver specialized, industry-focused solutions to clients.
About Lindsay Faulstich Before joining Grassi, Lindsay served as Tax Director at Siegfried Advisory, where she led a team of more than 15 professionals and developed new service offerings in family office and tax due diligence. She also oversaw recruiting, financial reporting, and quality management for the tax practice. Lindsay holds a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Baltimore and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in international business from the University of Delaware. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).
About Dawn Darnell Dawn previously served as a Partner at a regional accounting firm, where she led its Employee Benefit Plan Practice and served as a key member of the Commercial Assurance Practice, providing audit and technical advisory services to clients. She is a CPA, a member of the AICPA and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bentley University.
Baker Newman Noyes Announces 17 Senior Promotions in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire
Baker Newman Noyes (BNN), a nationally recognized top 100 accounting and advisory firm, recently announced 17 senior-level promotions in its Manchester, N.H.; Portsmouth, NH; Boston, MA; Woburn, MA; and Portland, ME offices, and an additional 20 promotions for experienced staff.
Boston, Massachusetts
- Samantha Carter has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. She specializes in delivering auditing services to both public and private companies in the biotechnology and life sciences companies. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.
- Katie Parks, CPA, MSA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. She specializes in providing auditing services to companies in the commercial, healthcare, and not for profit industries. Parks earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, and her master’s degree in accounting from the University of New Hampshire.
- Colleen Shea, CPA, MSA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. She joined the firm in 2020. Shea earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, and her master’s degree in accounting from the University of New Hampshire.
The following employees in the Boston office were also promoted: Katherine Brown has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Conor Madden has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Sean Mahan has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Megan Niedzwiecki has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Marie Zampano has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; and Antonio Pardi has been promoted to senior in the tax practice.
Woburn, Massachusetts
- Jason Skibinski, CPA, MSA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. He specializes in providing services to banks and financial institutions. He joined the firm in 2020. Skibinski earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, and master’s degree in accounting from the University of New Hampshire.
The following employees in the Woburn office were also promoted: Madeleine Lang has been promoted to transfer pricing supervising senior in the tax practice; and Dan Sheldon has been promoted to supervising senior in the tax practice.
Manchester, New Hampshire
- Michelle Morrison, CPA, has been promoted to manager in the tax practice. She specializes in tax planning and compliance for individuals and closely held businesses, including Partnerships, LLCs, and S Corporations. Morrison earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting, and her master’s degree in accounting from the University of New Hampshire.
- Kirsten Naessens, CPA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. She specializes in providing audit services to nonprofit organizations and insurance entities. She joined the firm in 2023. Naessens earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the College of the Holy Cross.
The following employees in the Manchester office were also promoted: Colleen Barrett has been promoted to supervising senior in the tax practice; Cathleen Cassels has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Zachery Deakin has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Elizabeth Dion has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Kayla Mace has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; Simon Ouellet has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice; and Alisbet Veras has been promoted to senior in the tax practice.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Erica Napolitano has been promoted to manager in the advisory practice. Her expertise in providing change management strategies allows organizations to adapt to new processes and technologies smoothly, minimizing disruption and maximizing adoption.
The following employee in the Portsmouth office was also promoted: Marlys Mason has been promoted to senior in the assurance practice.
Portland, Maine
- Trey Binette, MBA, was promoted to manager in the advisory practice. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern Maine, and a master’s degree in business administration from Husson University. Binette joined the firm in 2024.
- Scott Boies, CPA, MBA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. He earned his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration from Thomas College. Boies joined the firm in 2019.
- Anne Cushman, CPA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. She earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in business administration, with a concentration in accounting and business analytics, from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and a master of accountancy from Saint Joseph’s College
- Heather Goan, EA, has been promoted to manager in the tax practice. Since joining BNN in 2020, Goan has specialized in tax planning and preparation for high-net-worth individuals. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maine.
- Ashley Haskell has been promoted to manager in the firm’s tax practice. Ashley specializes in tax planning and compliance for closely held businesses, partnerships, S corporations, and high-net-worth individuals. Haskell earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Maine.
- Wendy Koons, of Standish, Maine,has been promoted to accounting manager in the finance department. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton.
- Chris Lowell, CPA, has been promoted to senior manager in the tax practice. Lowell specializes in corporate income tax compliance and advisory services. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
- Laura Miles, CPA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. Miles specializes in providing audit services to nonprofit organizations and commercial/retail businesses. She joined the firm in 2020 after earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting, summa cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management.
- Dylan Wetmore, CPA, MBA, has been promoted to senior manager in the tax practice. He joined the firm’s private client services group in 2017, specializing in high-net-worth individuals, investment partnerships, stock option transactions, and qualified small business stock transactions. Wetmore earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s in accounting from Husson University.
- Meredith Wicks, CPA, has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. She provides audit services to healthcare and nonprofit organizations. She has been with the firm since 2017. Wicks earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maine.
The following employees in the Portland office were also promoted: Rose Cannon been promoted to senior in the tax practice; Sydney Caron has been promoted to senior people operations generalist in the HR department; Nathan Crouch has been promoted to senior in the transaction advisory practice; and Kirsten Lebreux has been promoted to supervising senior in the tax practice.
Friedman + Huey Announces the Promotion of John Betz to Partner
Friedman + Huey, a distinctive full-service certified public accounting firm, recently announced the promotion of John Betz, JD, MBA to Partner, effective August 1, 2025.
John joined Friedman + Huey in 2005 with more than 25 years of trust and estate experience. Prior to joining F+H, John worked at The Northern Trust Company, Grant Thornton, and a local law firm. John is a leader in the Firm’s estate and fiduciary income tax group, where he creates and implements planning ideas and ensures tax compliance for many of the Firm’s high-net-worth family groups and regional banking relationships.
John is an active member of the DuPage County Estate Planning Council and a member of both the AICPA and Illinois CPA Society. John is a Co-Chair of the High Net Worth, Trust Estate & Fiduciary Community of Practice Group for PrimeGlobal.
Friedman + Huey Announces the Promotion of Mary Joyce to Partner
Friedman + Huey, a distinctive full-service certified public accounting firm, recently announced the promotion of Mary Joyce, CPA, MST to Partner, effective August 1, 2025.
Mary joined the Firm in 1998. She specializes in income tax planning and compliance for high-net-worth individuals and families, including attorneys, real estate professionals, and investors. Mary co-developed the Firm’s executive program, working with law firms and their partners. She specializes in helping new partners weave the tax complexities as they move from being an employee to being self-employed.
Mary is a leader on F+H’s mentoring committee, sharing her knowledge and experience with associates. She is a member of the AICPA, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce.
Friedman + Huey Announce Cindy Becker and Brianna Matura Have Been Promoted to Principal
Friedman + Huey, a distinctive full-service certified public accounting firm, recently announced the career advancements of Cindy Becker, CPA, MST, and Brianna Matura, MST. As of August 1, 2025, these two professionals have been promoted to Principal. Their hard work and unique strengths have made them invaluable assets to our team. Please join us in congratulating these two individuals as they continue to flourish and grow as leaders in our firm.
Cindy Becker, CPA, MST, specializes in working with high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and their families, offering custom tax planning and solutions. Cindy is a co-leader in the Firm’s individual income tax group facilitating the dissemination of information firm-wide on new tax legislation.
Brianna Matura, MST, began working at F+H in 2013 as an intern. She specializes in working with high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as business owners creating and implementing income tax strategies. Brianna is a leader in the Firm’s technology efforts, ensuring the software and solutions stay up to date, creating efficiency for all the Firm’s clients and helping to shape the overall client experience.
Thanks for reading CPA Practice Advisor!
Subscribe Already registered? Log In
Need more information? Read the FAQs
