We are pleased to serve our clients near Brentwood, TN through our convenient office located in Maryland Farms. Get to know our team below and click to read more about the history of our Brentwood office.
Christopher L. Griffin, CPA, ABV, CFF
Tax Partner
(615) 371-2135
Chris Griffin joined the firm in 1996 and became a partner in January 1999. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Middle Tennessee State University and spent six years with the IRS. He is a CPA and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) with the AICPA. Chris currently serves as Tax Director for the firm, but also provides business valuation, tax, audit, accounting and consulting services to individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organizations, with special emphasis in corporate and partnership taxation. In the last half-decade he has become involved in overseeing the offices outside of the Brentwood office including providing management support over those team members who practice in all areas of the firm.
Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Angela, and their four children, two of which have graduated from college and two are in high school. They like to travel, go camping, attend sporting events, visit amusement parks, and most all types of outdoor recreation. He was born in Tennessee and has lived here for most all his life with a small portion of his childhood spent in St. Louis, Missouri. He currently resides in Franklin, TN and is a member of Fellowship Bible Church where he enjoys participating in additional bible studies and activities outside of the traditional Sunday morning services.
Colleen Adams, CPA
Tax Manager
(615) 921-6976
Colleen is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting. She has over 30 years in public accounting experience, 20 of those operating her own firm. Colleen has experience working with clients in a variety of areas including performing arts, media production, land development and construction, professional services, and other privately owned companies. She focuses on tax compliance, consulting, and planning for individuals and small businesses. In addition to her public accounting experience she has over 8 years of experience in the private sector.
Colleen is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. She and her husband, Rick, have been married since 1988 and are active in their church.
Dorian T. Bailey, CPA
Consulting Director
(615) 921-6979
Dorian is the Director of our Consulting practice at Blankenship CPA Group and has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of Accounting, Audit (Internal and External), Finance and Consulting. She has worked with multi-national firms and Big 4 Accounting firms. Licensed in both the states of Tennessee and California she has significant experience in team building, finance transformation and strategic planning. Dorian has advised C-Suite and extended leadership to large multi-national corporations; transforming Finance and improving core Finance processes, unlocking efficiencies and cost savings through process redesign, technology enhancements and analysis of operating models and organizational design. She has served global clients across industry lines including Automotive, Energy, Oil & Gas, Retail and Technology. Dorian also held various global Controller and Governance roles. She earned her MBA with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. She and her husband live in Franklin and have two adult children, one in Nashville and the other in San Francisco.
Tiffiny Barger
Receptionist
(615) 371-2149
Tiffiny Barger joined BCPAG in September of 1996 as our receptionist. She has lived in the Nashville area since 1995 and has loved every minute of it. She has family in South Carolina and Texas and is the youngest of two children. She enjoys traveling, is a big time Tennessee Titans fan and loves going to see plays at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and going to concerts.
At BCPAG, she is responsible for answering the phones, greeting clients who walk through the front door, processing all of the tax returns, overseeing the transition process for new clients as well as general administrative responsibilities. She does it all!
Cassie Benson, CPA
Tax Senior Manager
(615) 371-2130
Cassie joined our team in 2012. Before joining BCPAG, she worked at a regional public accounting firm in Richardson, TX. Cassie graduated from Liberty University with her Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2008 and her Masters of Science in Accounting in 2009. She primarily specializes in individual and business tax consulting and preparation. Cassie is a licensed CPA in both Texas and Tennessee and holds memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. Cassie met her husband, Brock, while at Liberty University and they married in August 2008. They have three energetic young boys – Kandler, Garner & Tucker – who keep them running between baseball fields, basketball courts, the Tennessee River, and their family farm land.
C. Thomas Bates, CPA, ABV, CVA
Partner
(615) 425-2334
Tom Bates, is a Partner at Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC with fifty years of experience in accounting. He provides assurance and consulting services to commercial and not-for-profit organizations, as well as accounting and tax services to individuals and privately held businesses. He also provides valuation and litigation support services pertaining to business values for mergers and acquisitions, or compensation matters. Tom specifically has focused in the church, education, not - for - profit organization, music and entertainment, intellectual properties, retail and distribution, software development, service and construction industries.
Tom graduated with honors from David Lipscomb University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. After graduating he joined Peat Marwick (KPMG) where he ultimately led several large engagements as a senior audit manager. Some familiar organizations Tom served during his time at Peat include J.C. Bradford & Co., Baptist, Sunday School Board (LifeWay), Joe M. Rodgers & Associates, Inc., Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University, the City of Knoxville, and David Lipscomb University. Tom spent several years after Peat as the CFO for The Benson Company, and then came back to public accounting where he has spent the last 35 years serving many church and nonprofit organizations, including The Gideons International. He is a CPA, CGMA and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) by the AICPA. He also holds the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation. Tom is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA). Tom is active at Westend Community Church. He also serves on the boards of Music and the Word, an organization which equips church and worship leaders with resources for leading worship, and the Middle Tennessee Better Business Bureau. He also chairs the Metro Nashville Audit Committee.
CJ Blankenship, CPA, CGMA
Managing Partner
(615) 371-2139
CJ Blankenship is the Managing Partner at the firm and consults with clients and the BCPAG team on the most challenging tax, accounting, management and financial matters. He is a National Merit Scholar and received his Bachelor of Business Administration with honors in Accounting from Belmont University. He has over twenty years of management experience in a variety of industries and service sectors and had worked at two top ten national firms prior to joining the firm in 2007. CJ was admitted as a partner in the firm in February of 2009 and has served as the managing partner since. Over his career CJ has performed a variety of consulting services for hundreds of clients, including serving in an outsourced CFO capacity for an international manufacturing and distribution company with operations and customers around the globe. CJ spends his workdays on mergers and acquisitions, not-for-profit consulting and compliance matters, planning (particularly with tax favored investment strategy), management consulting, tax compliance, accounting systems and matters for businesses, not-for-profits and individuals, and manages the strategic direction of the firm.
CJ has a heart for Christian ministries and is the Founder and President of Christian Recovery Houses, Inc., and consults with several not for profit boards. He has also served the TSCPA Nashville Board and Federal Tax Committee, and has served a variety of boards including the largest church in Nashville and as the Treasurer at the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce. He used to spend a lot of hours with the guitar and Christian song-writing, playing golf, living outdoors, writing and exercising. Now, he is blessed to have married up to his lovely wife Amanda, and spends most of his free time as a father of two wonderful sons and a sweet little girl to round out the brood.
Jonathan Blankenship
Administrative Support
(615) 921-6975
Jonathan joined BCPAG in 2015 and provides administrative services. Prior to coming to the firm he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a rifleman and radio operator in an infantry company from 2006-2013 where he reached the rank of Sergeant.
In addition to attending multiple specialized training schools at almost every major Marine base in the continental United States, he deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and also to Antigua for Operation Tradewinds. He also participated in the first ever Marine Week in U.S. history which was held in Boston. After leaving the service he acquired an Associate of Science from Nashville State Community College. Jonathan enjoys spending time with his family and outdoor recreation (especially fishing!). He also enjoys traveling and he and his family go to Thailand often to visit his wife’s family.
Bill Bomar, CPA
Tax & Accounting Services
(615) 371-2150
Bill Bomar is a graduate of the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1974. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1978 and is a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has experience in both private industry, having served as Controller for a construction company specializing in residential construction, and public accounting offering tax and accounting services to individuals and small business clients including tax preparation, consulting and financial statement preparation. He has been an authorized Internal Revenue Service Electronic Return Originator (ERO) since 1998.
Thomas Britt, CPA
Audit Manager
(615) 425-2340
Rodger B. Byrd, CPA
Client Services & Tax
(615) 371-2133
Rodger B. Byrd joined BCPAG in September, 1993. He had his own accounting firm prior to that. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University in June, 1968 and started his career with Touche Ross (now Deloitte and Touche).
Rodger and his wife have been married since 1974 and are the proud parents of two children and have one grandchild. He enjoys watching sporting events, being with his family and friends and traveling.
Don Coomer, MSFS, MSM, CPA, ChFC, CFE, CLU
Tax, Estate & Trust Services
(615) 371-2145
Don Coomer joined the team in November 2008 when Coomer-Wells & Co. CPA became a part of BCPAG. After more than half-century in public accounting, Don's primary areas of interest are tax controversy, wealth transfer, estates and trusts.
Kevin Dostaler, CPA
Sr. Manager
(615) 921-7003
Mike Dunn, CPA
Tax, Estate & Trust Services
(615) 371-2143
Mike Dunn is a principal at the firm and joined the team in January 1999. He is a 1990 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, while majoring in Accounting. He worked for a CPA firm in his hometown of Martin before moving to Nashville in 1993. Since that time, he has been providing tax preparation and planning, primarily for individual and small business clients. His work has a strong emphasis in the planning, preparation and administration of estates and trusts as well as working closely with non-profit and charitable organizations.
Charles Elliott, CPA
Senior Tax Manager
(615) 425-2339
Charles joined BCPAG in 2014. A native Nashvillian, he graduated from Lipscomb University in 1980. After spending several years in private industry, he has over 15 years in public accounting, focusing primarily on Federal, state, and certain foreign taxes for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and not-for-profit organizations. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Charles lives in Brentwood, has family in various parts of the country, and corresponds from time to time with relatives in Germany with the help of a good German dictionary. His hobbies include exercising and various forms of dance, from two-step to ballroom and swing.
Scott Felts, CPA
Principal
(615) 425-2326
Scott comes to Blankenship CPA Group from Ohio having owned his own CPA practice while also serving as the controller for an organization with average revenues of $5 million and over 100 employees. Scott has experience with Federal, State & Local, and some foreign taxes for individuals, corporations, partnerships, and not-for-profit organizations. He is also a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and has worked with a number of small businesses in an advisory capacity. He is a member of the AICPA, TSCPA and the Ohio Society of CPA’s. Scott believes in the importance of listening to every client’s story to better understand the opportunities available and then helping craft a plan together to best meet the needs of each individual situation.
Scott is a native of Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a degree in Exercise Science. Originally a Certified Athletic Trainer, he spent 8 years on staff with the ministry of Athletes in Action in Central Ohio and throughout Europe. He and his wife Adrienne reside in Nolensville with their four children.
Sanny Golden
Supervisor
(615) 371-2138
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Judy Grayson
Administrative Assistant
(615) 425-2331
Judy Grayson joined Blankenship CPA Group in 2017. She earned her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. She is serving BCPAG as administrative assistant to Tom Bates and has eighteen years’ experience providing varied administrative support in the public accounting arena. She brings over 30 years’ administrative service to the firm.
New to the Tennessee surroundings, she is embracing the variety of talent and entertainment the Nashville area has to offer. Born in Mississippi, she has also lived in Texas and Alabama and decided she was “moving on up” to be near family here. She loves being outside and already enjoys the area’s scenery.
Timothy Hart
Audit Associate
(615) 373-3771
Tim joined Blankenship as an intern in January 2023, and has transitioned to Audit Associate. He was raised in Aurora, CO and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting in 2021 from Belmont University and is in the process of pursuing his Master of Accountancy. Prior to joining Blankenship, he worked as a Revenue Auditor for Vail Resorts Management Company. His hobbies include watching sports, working out, managing Belmont’s NCAA softball team, and coaching a local youth baseball team.
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Leah Hayes
Director of Strategic Advancement
(615) 425 -2342
Leah Hayes is the Director of Strategic Advancement at Blankenship CPA Group and is responsible for the firm's strategic growth plan and marketing team. Leah has nearly 20 years of management experience. She began her career in commercial banking and credit risk management. She later spent 13 years with a global nonprofit equipping people to live free in Christ through residential counseling programs and outreach services. During her tenure, Leah gained progressively higher levels of responsibility and served as the Executive Director, responsible for mission-critical operations. She, along with the executive team, was responsible for the organization's oversight and strategic growth.
Leah earned a BS in Finance and Economics from the University of Alabama and an EMBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. She is also a Mandal Scholar and received a certification in nonprofit management.
Leah has a passion for Christian ministry and serving her community. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also consults with nonprofit organizations at the board level and on strategic direction.
Greg Howell, CPA
Principal
(615) 385-1008
Greg joined Blankenship CPA Group in September 2021. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining the firm, Greg was a partner at Yeary Howell & Associates. Greg joined Buddy Yeary at his firm in 1984 and they were officially established as Yeary Howell & Associates in Brentwood and were located there until moving to Berry Hill in 2001. Greg is a Principal of the Firm and with over 40 years’ experience in the industry. He provides audit management, business advisory services and tax preparation. In addition, he specializes in state and local government, tax practice for individuals, trusts and businesses. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, Tennessee Governmental Finance Officers Association
Greg has been married to Therese Howell for 44 years and has two daughters and one granddaughter. He enjoys fishing, kayaking and boating on the Tennessee River as well as grilling for family and friends.
Karl Jahrling, CPA
Flex Tax Manager
(615) 373-3771
Tonya Johnson
Associate
(615) 373-3771
Jan Kolb, CPA
(615) 373-3771
Jan started her accounting career in 1985 at Price Waterhouse, and from there went to several local firms, including Kruse and Associates, PLLC, which merged into Crowe Horwath. Before coming to Blankenship, Jan was a partner in a small local firm specializing in small to mid-size business accounting and tax services. Jan has dealt with a diverse client base in her career, ranging from small, start-up businesses to large, publicly-held SEC companies. Her area of expertise is tax consulting, planning and compliance for closely-held companies and their shareholders.
The received a BA with high honors from the University of Tennessee in 1982 and a Masters of Business Administration from Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School, with a major in accounting and finance, in 1985.
Jan is a member of the AICPA, TSCPA, and has been involved in the Nashville Rotary, Nashville Chamber and various roundtable groups. She has taught tax continuing education classes, as well as spoken to various groups on tax highlights and strategies.
Don Kotval, CPA
Senior Consultant
(931) 215-4689
Don Kotval joins Blankenship CPA Group as a Senior Consultant handling tax controversy issues after an extensive and successful 30 year career with the IRS. Prior to his retirement in August 2018, he was an Appeals Officer in the Appellate Division for six years settling over 700 tax disputes through traditional hearings and mediation.
Prior to IRS Appeals, he spent time in collections, compliance examination as a Revenue Agent in both the general and large case programs, Learning and Education as a National Subject Matter Expert, and as a Large Case Employment Tax Specialist. As an Employment Tax Specialist he audited executive and non-executive fringe benefits, stock-based compensation and international payroll tax issues.
Throughout his career he has had many opportunities teaching courses related to new hire corporate and partnership taxation, insurance tax accounting, Basic and International Employment Tax and even developed a course to detect money laundering in the insurance industry. Don also designed the first required financial accounting course for all IRS engineers. Throughout his career he has been a presenter, guest speaker and trainer. While serving as a Subject Matter Expert he coordinated the nationwide delivery of all training for insurance examiners conducting audits of life, health, casualty, and property insurance companies, and captive insurers throughout the United States.
Don has served as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting, teaching tax and accounting courses at Tennessee State University for sixteen years and at Aquinas College for eight years. Don holds a Master of Science degree in Accounting and Information Systems from Middle Tennessee State University and earned his MBA, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of North Alabama. He has studied public policy at the doctorial level and is currently a CPA in the state of Tennessee and IRS Enrolled Agent.
When not at work or teaching Don enjoys golfing with friends and new acquaintances, spending time with his wife Charity of 39 years collecting seashells at the beach, and time with his two sons, Jonathan and David, and daughter-in-law, Jenny, a future CPA who recently earned her Master’s in Accountancy.
Ginny Kvochak, CPA
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(615) 373-3771
Ginny joined BCPAG in January 2018. Her public accounting career started in a small firm in California and she completed the required accounting and business classes to sit for the CPA exam. Ginny has spent fifteen years providing individual and small business tax preparation and planning to clients. Prior to joining BCPAG, Ginny worked for five years in International Tax for a Fortune 100 company.
She received a BA in education with high honors from Virginia Tech and is a member of the TSCPA. Ginny also participates in the volunteer tax preparation program, VITA, sponsored by the United Way. She and her husband, John, have been married for 36 years and enjoy travelling, hiking, gardening and visiting their two adult daughters.
Alex Laine, CPA
Assurance Manager
615-371-2151
Alex joined the audit team of Blankenship in December of 2015. Prior to that he worked in the banking industry with roles in credit administration and portfolio management. Alex graduated from Middle Tennessee State University where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. Alex and his wife Kristin reside in Nashville. He enjoys spending his free time golfing, exercising, and playing guitar.
Greg Lemon, CPA
Consulting Director
615-373-3771
Kaitom Matthews
Accounting Solutions Team Leader
615-921-7003
Prior to joining the Blankenship team in 2017 Kaitom worked for a Nashville public accounting firm where she focused predominantly on accounting services, with additional experience in tax. In her current role Kaitom spends her time supervising internal firm ASG processes and works primarily with small and medium sized business clients in the entertainment and service industries. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy from Middle Tennessee State University. Kaitom and her husband met at MTSU and married in 2016. They love watching their children grow, spending time outdoors, watching sports and being involved with their church.
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Mary Catherine McBride
Associate
(615) 921-6988
Paul McClanahan, JD, CPA
Tax Principal
(615) 921-6980
Suzanne McClelland, CPA
Client Services & Tax
(615) 371-2129
Sue McClelland joined the firm in November 2009 after moving from McLean, Virginia where she was a principal in a small firm in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. She has over thirty years experience in public accounting and specializes in individual, fiduciary and estate tax consulting and preparation.
She enjoyes living in Franklin and spending time with her grandson and family who live nearby. Her volunteer interests focus on low income housing and feeding the needy. She does financial counseling for new owners of Habitat for Humanity homes and volunteers with Second Harvest.
Erica Moore, CPA
Sr. Manager
(615) 927-6974
Erica joined Blankenship in November 2019. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Portland State University. She spent over 9 years of public accounting experience in Oregon serving a variety of clients in the Pacific Northwest prior to joining the Blankenship team. She is a key member of our employee benefit plan audit practice where she provides audit services to various types of employee benefit plans. She is also involved in providing assurance services to small and large privately held companies and not-for-profits. Erica lived in Portland, Oregon her entire life prior to making the move to Tennessee and has enjoyed learning what Nashville is all about!
Jay Nash, CPA
Supervisor
(615) 373-3771
Crystal Otiono
Audit Associate
Mindy Reid
Accounting Services
(615) 425-2337
Mindy joined BCPAG in June of 2014. Most of her 30 years of bookkeeping and accounting experience is in the Music Industry. She has an Associate Degree from Nashville State Tech, is a Quick Book Certified User.
Mindy is married and has two children. She enjoys spending time with her family where ever that may take her. Volunteering for organizations and events that her children are involved in, has taken Mindy from mountain skeet shooting ranges to beach vacations.
Royce Rhea, CPA
Principal
(615) 921-6972
Royce is a principal with Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University and moved to Tennessee in 1994. He has served as President for both the Nashville Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants and the Nashville Chapter of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Tonya Schwartz
Accounting Services
(615) 373-3771
Tonya joined BCPAG in 2015 and works in Accounting Services. She has over 30 years of accounting experience beginning her career in public accounting and then moving to the private sector. Throughout the years, she has worked for small businesses and nonprofit organizations primarily churches.
Before joining the team, Tonya lived in Missouri where she and her husband, Matt, owned an Audio Video Integration company. Tonya and her family are active in worship ministry at their local church. She and Matt also enjoy canoeing, kayaking and visiting new places together. They have two sons, and a daughter-in-law. The newest member of the family, their first grandchild, is the joy of their lives.
Kim Sapp
Accounting Solutions Associate
615-371-2146
Kim joined Blankenship CPA Group in 2018 after managing the accounting operations of several private companies. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wittenberg University and a Master of Business Education from Ohio State University. Kim taught both high school and adult business education. She gained many other skills as a mortgage loan processor, office manager of a medical practice and by home schooling for 10 years. Kim and her husband have lived in Franklin for the past 35 years where they raised three children. They enjoy spending their time with 5 young grandchildren.
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Gina Seales
Administrative Assistant
(615) 371-2124
Gina Seales joined BCPAG in June 2014 as administrative assistant to CJ Blankenship. Prior to joining the firm she worked at Vanderbilt Legends Club for 16 years in sales and event management. Gina graduated from David Lipscomb High School in 1986 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Western Kentucky University in 1991.
Gina has been married to her husband Roger since 2007. They enjoy traveling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines where Roger was born and raised. She is a die-hard Tennessee Titans fan, enjoys entertaining friends, decorating and spending time with family.
Danielle Settles
Client Care Coordinator
(615)373-3771
Alan Siliski, JD, CPA
Client Services & Tax
(615) 371-2144
Alan Siliski received his undergraduate degree from Duke University in Durham, NC, an MBA degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, and a JD from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. He works mainly in the areas of tax and auditing for construction, health care, professional service providers and non-profits. Alan has a wide variety of clients from landscapers, HVAC installers to doctors and dentists.
In his spare time Alan enjoys playing golf and tennis, and traveling to the New England area to see the beautiful scenery in the summertime.
Don Slaughter, CPA
Audit Partner
(615) 371-2148
Connect With Me
Don Slaughter joined BCPAG in 2010 as a member of the audit team, and we were pleased to have him join the partner group in 2013. Don has over 20 years of public accounting experience in a variety of sectors, including work with very large governmental and private company clients and experience with PCAOB firms . He is a 1990 graduate of Louisiana Tech University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He has worked for regional and local firms in Arkansas, Louisiana, Nevada, and Florida. His areas of industry focus are government, not-for-profit, hospitality, telecommunications, real estate, manufacturing, distribution and construction.
Ben Smidt, CPA
Partner, Director of Operations
615-425-2324
Ben joined BCPAG in 2017, after spending 10 years with Caterpillar, Inc. A native of Illinois, Ben earned an Accounting & Finance degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 2007, completed the CPA exam in 2009, and gained a Six Sigma Black Belt certification in 2012. While at Caterpillar, Ben progressed in a general management career with roles in finance, logistics, marketing, aftermarket solutions, dealer support, and mergers & acquisitions. Ben played a key role in deploying Caterpillar’s Operating & Execution Model, and he participated in Caterpillar’s 2017 Enterprise Strategy refresh. As part of his professional journey, Ben has travelled the globe extensively and relocated five times, including living in Europe from 2009-2012 and in Nashville from 2014-2015.
With family roots in small business, an interest to serve multiple industries, and a desire to get off the road, Ben has found a great match in Blankenship CPA Group. At BCPAG, Ben is merging his CPA and general management experiences to meet clients’ consulting needs and contribute to BCPAG firm administration.
Ben and his wife, Bekah, have been married since 2006 and have four children. The whole family is thrilled with the many benefits of middle Tennessee and their new hometown of Nolensville, TN. They all enjoy serving in the church and spending time together, especially when getting outdoors or following the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Diana Smith
Accounting Solutions Team Leader
(615) 373-3771
Omega Spencer
Administration Associate
(615) 373-3771
Jenn Sturgeon, CPA
Manager
(615) 921-7002
Kelsey Swerdeger, CPA
Associate
(615) 373-3771
Nicolle M. Thesing (Harb), CPA
Senior Audit Staff
(615) 373-3771
Nicolle joined the team in 2014. She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she earned a Bachelor degree in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy degree with an Assurance concentration. Nicolle interned and worked at a Knoxville firm before returning home to Middle Tennessee. She is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs.
Nicolle lives in Franklin and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, exercising, and watching the Vols play football. She is also an active alumna of her sorority, Sigma Kappa.
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Marsha A. Wall, CPA
Director Emeritus
(615) 371-2132
Marsha Wall joined the firm in October 1992. She graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Business Education degree. She has extensive experience offering tax and accounting services to individual and small business clients including tax preparation, review and consulting as well as financial statement preparation and analysis.
Marsha is a native of Western Kentucky but has lived in Nashville since 1987 after spending almost 9 years in Chicago. She is married and has 2 grown children as well as 5 grandchildren.Her hobbies include home decorating, reading and spending time at the pool in the summer entertaining the family.
Bonnie Wasson
Accountant
(615) 425-2328
Bonnie joined BCPAG in February 2013. Prior to joining the firm, Bonnie worked for David Talley, CPA in Nashville for over 20 years. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and played college basketball for the Lady Raiders of MTSU.
Bonnie has 2 daughters, Kristen and Lauren Wasson. She enjoys spending time with her girls, road trips with friends, reading, and watching Lady Vol basketball games whenever possible.
Anne D. Waters, JD, CPA
Partner
(615) 371-2128
Anne Waters is an attorney and joined Blankenship in September 1998. She graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1994. She worked with several large law firms in Nashville prior to joining the firm. For her undergraduate work, she attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Accounting. Her primary focus area is estate planning, including estate and gift tax, wills and trusts, and trust and estate income tax work.
Anne lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her three children, who are active in a variety of extracurricular activities, including acting and baseball. Their favorite family activity is traveling, near and far, whether to Alabama for baseball tournaments or Los Angeles, for star gazing.
Monica Wadatz
Administrative Associate
(615) 373-3771
Monica joined the administrative team at Blankenship in January 2023 with over 15 years of experience in all aspects of customer service and administrative support. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Columbia College of Missouri. Prior to joining the firm, Monica spent many years as a paralegal and a teacher. She and her husband, Richard, have lived in the Nashville area for almost 20 years where they have enjoyed raising their four children.
Currently, Monica lives in Thompson’s Station where she enjoys gardening, volunteer work and traveling with her family.
Matthew A Wall
Tax Supervisor
615-921-6970
Matthew joined Blankenship in 2018 after graduating from Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor degree in Accounting. He works primarily in tax by serving corporations and partnerships, trusts and individuals. When not in the office Matthew enjoys hunting, fishing and anything outdoors! He grew up in Brentwood playing hockey and has been a lifelong Nashville Predators fan and watches whenever he can!
De'Airis Weakley
Tax Supervisor
(615)373-3771
Wayne Wells, CPA, CFE
Client Services & Tax
(615) 371-2125
Wayne Wells graduated from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1970, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Economics. Mr. Wells began his career in public accounting in 1970 with the national firm of what was then Touche, Ross & Co. in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1974, he joined a local accounting firm in Nashville. This firm provided accounting, auditing and tax services to small and medium size businesses as well as extensive tax services to individuals. After a total of over 47 years of experience, he is today a Principal with Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Mr. Wells has conducted numerous seminars in accounting, auditing, fraud and taxation. He holds a Certified Public Accountant certificate in Tennessee, and is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Mr. Wells is a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He is a recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Discussion Leader Award from The Tennessee Society of CPAs and the 2014 Outstanding Discussion Leader Award from The AICPA, and the 2016 Outstanding Discussion Leader Award from Surgent, CPE.
Wayne is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and Academy. He and his lovey wife have been blessed to be married for 25 years and they share 3 sons. Other than spending time with his family, he enjoys his work, conducting seminars, fishing and golf.
Joey West, CPA
Principal
(615) 373-3771
Joey is a Principal with BCPAG, having joined the firm in December 2014. He has more than 25 years of public accounting experience including 17 years with a Top 10 regional and national firm. His experience is focused in small to medium sized businesses and individual tax compliance. In addition to his public accounting experience he has 4 years of private industry experience. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. Joey received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Tennessee Technological University in 1994.
Joey and his wife have been married 28 years and have 2 daughters (both are currently attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville). In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and pickleball as well as attending Nashville SC soccer, Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators games.
Penny Wilson, CPA
Tax, Estate & Trust Services
(615) 425-2327
Penny Wilson joined BCPAG in October 2005 and works in tax services at the firm. She has been in public accounting since she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Belmont University in 1979. Her primary emphasis is taxation. Penny is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Orin Wiseman
Audit Supervisor
(615) 921-6978
Orin Wiseman joined the audit team of Blankenship in November 2021. He is a graduate of Liberty University with a BS in Accounting and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He has a travel industry, aviation, retail management, and county government background which includes business and governmental accounting experience. More recently, he served as a hospital chaplain in Wisconsin, and as a care pastor for an EFCA church in Florida. In addition to now serving as an audit associate, Orin is the firm’s chaplain. When away from work, he and his wife enjoy spending time with family and grandchildren, and also traveling, and camping.
Tommy Wooten, CPA, Ph.D.
Principal
Audit Services
Tommy Wooten has been a Senior Audit Manager on a part-time basis with the firm since 1997. He specializes in the audits of not-for-profit entities including ministry organizations and churches. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Accounting and a Master of professional Accountancy degree from Georgia State University. Tommy is currently a Professor of Accounting at Belmont University and teaches undergraduate principals of accounting, auditing, advanced accounting, and applied accounting theory. His previous experience includes work as a Senior Auditor for Coopers & Lybrand, CPA’s (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) and as a Financial Accountant for Yancy Brothers, where he performed financial and managerial duties. Tommy’s involvement in both academics and industry allow him to stay on the cutting edge of auditing and accountanting standards.
He is a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Management Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Accounting Association and the Tennessee Society of Accounting Educators. Tommy is very active in his church, where he has served as a Deacon and as chair of the Finance Committee. He also enjoys volunteering his time with other local nonprofit organizations.
Emily Ziadeh, CPA/PFS
Tax Manager
(615) 373-3771
Emily Ziadeh recently joined the BCPAG team. She has 7 years of experience working for a large firm in their Wealth Advisor and Business Tax departments. Originally from Frankfort, Kentucky she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Louisville and a Master of Accountancy from Middle Tennessee State University. She holds a Tennessee CPA license as well as an AICPA PFS credential (Personal Financial Specialist). Emily has a wide range of tax experience which encompasses individual, partnership, corporate, and multi-state taxation. Her clients value her caring manner, knowledge and responsiveness.
Emily currently resides in Franklin with her husband, son and daughter. During her free time, she loves Hot Yoga and spending time outdoors with her family.
Jim Bills, CPA
Audit Manager
(615) 373-3771
Jennifer Nipp, CPA
Tax Prinicipal
(615) 373-3771
Judd Sparks
Audit Associate
(615) 373-3771
Sheri Savely, SHRM-CP, HSAe
People First Manager
(615) 373-3771
