President | IRS NPL Liaison
Keith Huebel, CPA
Keith, a Cum Laude graduate from the University of Baltimore, a prestigious institution of Business, Accounting and Law, started his accounting and tax career in 1979 while attending college and passed the CPA exam in 1984. Throughout his career, he has managed several local/regional CPA firm tax departments and has been the managing member of his own CPA firm since June 2005. Due to Keith’s leadership skills, integrity, dedication, vision and professionalism while serving on the NSTP Board of Directors, in January, 2016, he was unanimously elected to serve as NSTP’s President of the Board for a two-year term.
Keith has been an active member with NSTP for many years. He joined NSTP in July 1992 and in his early years with the organization often sought to provide innovative ideas which could improve the organization. Due to his great interest in the organization, in 2000 he became NSTP’s representative at IRS Headquarters in Washington, DC for the IRS’ National Public Liaison meetings and remains as NSTP’s Director of Government Relations. In August 2002, NSTP awarded Keith with the “Service Award” in recognition of his dedicated service to the profession and NSTP.
In 2010, Keith was elected by the membership to serve on NSTP’s Board of Directors and in 2011, he was honored with the Howard Longley Award. This is awarded by the Board of Directors for exemplifying service to the organization, consistently displaying the characteristics of leadership, vision and dedication to the members of NSTP, and setting an example of ethical conduct and professionalism to be modeled by all. In October of 2011, Keith stepped up as an officer into NSTP’s Treasurer position and in 2014 was elected Vice President. Keith served as both V.P. and Treasurer until elected President. For the majority of Keith’s years with NSTP, he also represented NSTP at the National IRS Forums to meet with current NSTP members and to inform prospective members of the many membership benefits NSTP offers tax practitioners across the country. For several years, Keith was selected by the IRS Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility to speak at the IRS National Tax Forums across the country on Circular 230 regulations.
When Keith is not representing NSTP or servicing clients, he often volunteers his time and expertise to local charities. He is a member of Rotary International, serves on the boards of local charities, and is an officer of Crescent Boat and Social Club. Living near the Chesapeake Bay, he often can be found on the water during the summer months with his family and friends. Keith is a family man with two children and three grandchildren.
Director
Carl Allen, III, CFE
Carl Allen, III has a variety of experience in projects and financial management in companies small to large. His accounting and tax knowledge and skills have been developed and honed by his work with many people. He is easy-going by nature and respected by his peers for his integrity, competence, insight, thorough attention to detail and dedication to the organization’s goals. He is truly a team player; he enjoys collaborating with others on an assignment.
While serving in different companies from the home office of a major life and health insurance company to a small business subcontractor in commercial construction and residential service, he brought about significant achievements. He implemented a procedure with a change in the tax law (HRA) to produce an annual savings of in healthcare costs. He worked on a team of three accountants auditing certain healthcare providers resulting in a significant recovery for Medicare in a three-year project.
During his tenure with an insurance company he served as the financial division liaison on a project team to work with financial management of the acquired company to merge operations. There were three companies merged in a three year period with the company he was employed by.
In his current business, Forensic Accounting Examiners, LLC, he prepares tax returns, does tax planning and conducts forensic accounting examinations.
He worked with a large privately-held company on an embezzlement case where the company lost funds over a four-year period. Through his work with the CFO, a private investigator and a State Bureau of Investigation agent he uncovered several schemes used by the perpetrator. Full restitution was made to the company.
In addition to business cases, he assists in family law cases for the client and attorney. Usually, one spouse alleges the other spouse has hidden marital assets. He reviews various financial documents regarding the objectives in the case. He has worked on very sensitive matters both business and personal in this line of work.
Carl holds a B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University and an Associates degree in Accounting from Durham Technical Community College. He earned the designation, Certified Fraud Examiner in December, 2009. He has served on boards such as the Alumni Advisory Board for the College of Physical and Applied Mathematical Sciences at N.C. State. He was President of the local chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants and also served as President of the Carolina’s Council of the IMA. He is active in his church and serves on committees.
Secretary
Serge Gautron, EA
I built a US tax practice in Canada from the ground up. I sold this in order to move to the United States where I will continue to be an entrepreneur.
I am the published author of Franklin’s Way, which is a short book based on Benjamin Franklin’s success principles. I currently run a social media marketing agency, this expertise would be invaluable to NSTP membership in bringing in the next generation of Tax Professionals and building a greater social presence for NSTP.
I am a family man, husband of 17 years and father of three young daughters. I am a renaissance man! I have worked in several industries including machining, renovation construction, retail and restaurant. I have 2 patents pending on some of my inventions and am working on new applications this year.
I am young, energetic and I am just getting started. I have a lot to offer, and look forward to stepping into all aspects of NSTP such as education, membership, affinity partners, procedures and policy.
Director
Dianne Longo, Tax Preparer
I have been an active member of NSTP since 2012 and I have experienced the training and professionalism that NSTP provides and their willingness to go the extra mile to assist and keep all preparers informed of changes and “tidbits” to help ensure our success. Currently I am exposed to some of the 2017 Tax Law changes with regards to Investing in Opportunity Zones and other exciting changes in the Law. My supervisor is published monthly and has his employees reading all the current information published in all the leading Tax and Accounting publications. I am willing to commit time and any knowledge that I may have from working with the public the past 35 years, and reading current journals and dedicate that to NSTP.
I was born and raised in Fort Smith AR and graduated from UNCW with a BA in Music. Later, I graduated from the University of OK with a MA in Human Relations. My fIRSt tax preparer position was with H & R Block in 1985 and in 1990 became a Manager of an H & R Block office. I moved to many places throughout my adult life and at each place I either served in or ran the local tax office. After my husband retired from the military, we settled in Park City, UT where I currently work as a tax para-professional for Holthouse, Carlin and Van Tright, LLP based in Long Beach CA. I have had several opportunities to work with and for several superb CPA’s over the past 35 years. The varied experiences of tax preparation across the United States and Europe has helped me gain a in-depth understanding of tax matters and building better relationships and understanding with our clients.
When it is not busy season, I love hiking with my husband and my dog, road and mountain biking with friends. I love my 4 children and my 3 grand children. My current job and my family keep me young and in tune with whats happening now!
Instructor
Isaac R. McRae, III, MST, EA, NTPI Fellow
Isaac McRae has over 30 years experience in the tax industry. Mr. McRae earned a BBA in Accounting from Howard University, a MS in Taxation from Southeastern University and a Fellow from the National Tax Practice Institute. Mr. McRae began his career preparing corporation and partnership returns for General Business Services, later working in the Audit, Compliance and Investigation Division for the District of Columbia Department of Finance and Revenue. In January 1988 Mr. McRae started his tax practice. Mr. McRae worked as an adjunct professor of taxation at Southeastern University, an instructor for the MD/DC Society of Enrolled Agents teaching the Enrolled Agent prep course and is an instructor for the National Society of Tax Professionals.
Instructor | Helpline
Dave Kelly, CPA
Dave Kelly graduated in 1971 with a BA in Accounting from Ohio State University. He attended the Master’s degree in Taxation program at Capital University Law School. Dave has been a CPA since 1972.
From 1971 to 1987, a period of 15 years, he worked with national accounting firms. In 1987 he set up his own tax practice in Columbus, Ohio.
Dave has taught courses for the Ohio Society of CPAs and for the National Society of Tax Professionals. Dave has worked as a tax specialist on NSTP’s tax helpline for over 5 years.
Dave’s expertise is in small closely-held businesses, high net worth individuals, and real estate. He practices extensively with individuals, partnerships, registered corporations, S-Corporations, trusts and estates.
Dave provides litigation support and testifies as an expert witness.
Membership
Kari Wegley
Kari joined the NSTP team in September of 2014. Spending over five years in the medical field she held numerous positions at various clinics and hospitals throughout the Vancouver/Portland area. Her duties included data entry, payment processing, and insurance referrals. As the front office receptionist at an OB/GYN and Pediatric clinic, she enjoyed working directly with the patients. Most recently, her experience as an Independent Direct Sales Consultant and a Process Server with the State of Washington has enhanced her ability to communicate well with the public.
In charge of NSTP Membership, she processes applications and payments and keeps the database up-to-date. She insures members are kept informed of upcoming seminars and workshops by preparing direct mailings. Contributing her data entry skills to the Education team, she inputs registration info for NSTP educational events and helps prepare and ship conference materials.
Growing up in Montana, she now lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband of 17 years, their two sons, 16 and 10, and their two high-spirited boxers. Always busy with her children and their band and sports activities, she delights in her exciting journey from preparing sack lunches to “you’ve been served”, to this next step as a member of the NSTP team.
Receptionist (VOICE OF NSTP) | Membership
Jodi Cousins
Meet the new Voice of NSTP! When you call our office, you are most likely to speak first with Jodi.
Her attention to detail, customer service skills, and efficient direction provides callers with the information they need.
Jodi also performs data entry, keeps member records current, and prepares mailings to our members.
Prior to coming to NSTP, Jodi honed her skills by working in property management for 10 years, and then moved on to online customer service for auto financing. Her telephone skills are second to none!
Away from work, Jodi enjoys her two Miniature-Pinscher-mix dogs, Lady and Max. They go to dog parks together and enjoy the company of other people and dogs. Jodi also spends a lot of time with her best friend going camping and watching movies.
My confidence on the phones and central location helps me keep track of ALL that’s going on so I can assist the whole NSTP team. My favorite thing to do at NSTP is talk to all the wonderful Members and get to know them by name.
- Jodi Cousins
Bookkeeper
Jean Huettis
Jean, who is a CPA, has recently relocated to Vancouver from northern California where she lived and worked for 30 years. She was born and raised in southern California where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. She was employed by Deloitte, Haskins, and Sells before working in industry and government in various accounting positions prior to “retiring” for many years to raise her son.
Re-entering the workforce after retirement, Jean has chosen to work part-time as a bookkeeper. She brings strong organizational and analytical skills to NSTP from her years of accounting and auditing.
She is married and has one grown son. Jean enjoys the outdoors and loves walking, hiking, biking, and kayaking.
Director of Education | Instructor | Helpline
Paul La Monaca, CPA, MST
Paul is NSTP’s Director of Education and is responsible for determining the Society’s educational goals. His main focus is to make sure that NSTP is the premier educational provider for Tax Professionals with small tax practices. He develops live seminars, Special Topics Workshops and directs the development of educational webinars.
Paul has been a presenter at the IRS Forums since 2009. He continues to draw record crowds of IRS Forum participants into his sessions because of his knowledge and passion for education and the development of the Tax Professional and the industry of Tax Preparation as a career. He continually receives the highest rankings of all presenters at the IRS Forums. His sharing of the stage with Nina Tross has made NSTP the leaders in Tax Education.
Paul is also responsible for facilitating NSTP’s telephone Helpline Service which is a valuable benefit to NSTP members. He directs a team of top-notch educators, who all have tax practices, who help members get to the needed solutions for their clients.
Paul has served on the NSTP Board of Directors since 1996 and helps shape and guide the goals of NSTP and the Tax Professional Industry. He has served as Vice-president, Treasurer, a temporary period as President and is currently the Secretary of the Society.
He has been awarded and honored as the Instructor of the Year several times, has received the President’s Award, Rod Irwin Award and the Howard Longley Award for leadership, vision and dedication to the tax profession.
Paul is a tax professional in suburban Washington, DC. He is a former tax and accounting professor at the American University in Washington, DC. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting from LaSalle College in Philadelphia and a Master’s Degree in Taxation from the American University in Washington, DC.
Treasurer | Affinity Partners
Kristina L. Rice, CPA
Kristina Rice, is a Certified Public Accountant and has served on the board since January 2014. She currently serves as Treasurer and Webinar Administrator. She also helps with the Affinity Partnership program as a liaison for the association. Through this innovative program, Kristina builds alliances with large companies and generates vendor advertising and support for the numerous NSTP training seminars and IRS forums throughout the country.
Kristina received her BBA in Accounting at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Kristina began her career at a local firm that specialized in Agricultural taxation, then moving up as a tax senior with the largest “Non Big Six” firm in central Florida and later to a well established regional firm.
In 1998, she launched her CPA firm, specializing in individual and small business taxation, with a concentration in the farming and agricultural business. She finds it most rewarding to help her clients save on their taxes, maintain financial stability, and thrive in their businesses. Kristina was also part owner and private accountant for a local agricultural nursery business for over 20 years.
Having joined NSTP in 2000 to cultivate a viable source for continuing education, Kristina found this and more in this organization. As owner of her tax and accounting firm, she appreciated the support the organization offered, from the superior education, to the camaraderie and collegial relationships with members. She enjoys representing NSTP at the Orlando IRS Forums and fall update seminars and grew to become a valuable asset at each event with her high energy and leadership strengths.
Through the years, she has been extremely active in the community as an ambassador for the chamber of commerce and within the school system to support her children’s activities. She is well-known locally for founding a nonprofit group, Save the Mount Dora Pool, and also as competitor with her dragon boat team. Kristina has 2 children, a daughter recently graduated from Stetson University and a son who studies mechanical engineering and is a volunteer with NSTP.
Director
Richard (Rick) Amico, Tax Preparer
I, along with my wife, own Amico2, Inc. We specialize in Small Business and Entrepreneurial Accounting and have actively in the preparation of Taxes for the past 26 years. As a Charter Executive Member of NSTP currently sit on our Membership and National Advisory Committees and have since their inception. I am committed to the future of our Organization and to its position as the Premier Educational Provider in our industry and completely support our Mission Statement and Code of Ethics. I bring to the table a set of skills not from a Taxation or Code standpoint but from a marketing and communication perspective and am well versed in the writing and analization of Business Plans across a broad spectrum of industries. As a communicator I believe that my ability to " Think Outside The Box" is one of my strongest assets and am a person that is always ready to listen and not be afraid to take on a challenge. I believe that there are not problems but rather opportunities for resolution and success in our industry, business and daily lives.
Executive Director | Instructor | IRS NPL Liaison | Helpline
Nina Tross, MBA, EA
With a passion for continuing education and advocacy, Nina Tross comes to the National Society of Tax Professionals focused on building value and speaking for the rights and interests of individual tax professionals. A recognized industry leader, Nina brings the vision, direction, and energy necessary to strengthen the professional image of the organization, raise industry consciousness, grow the membership, and maintain status as the premier association for the tax professional community.
In a highly visible role as Executive Director, Nina will continue to forge relationships with associate organizations, various boards, and the IRS to support the tax practitioner, providing a voice to address issues that affect the industry. She is eager to enhance the position of the organization in the minds of the IRS officials.
Fearless and confident throughout her 20+ years as an independent accountant and tax professional in Chandler, Arizona, Nina is well-qualified to achieve these goals. With demonstrated expertise in tax planning, compliance, and small business development and management, she has earned a reputation for helping her clients to also become successful. She attributes business success to solid business vision and strategy, a sound financial roadmap, and a network of trusted advisers — combined, of course, with hard work, tenacity, integrity, and professionalism.
Nina is not new to the NSTP, having served on the Board of Directors for two years (2011 - 2013), producing the monthly newsletter for the past year, and teaching NSTP classes over the past ten years — providing meaningful education for the membership. More than 90% of her tax credential exam preparation students have passed the exam on the first try, making Nina a very proud instructor.
With her focus on education, Nina has earned an MBA and a BS in Business Administration from Western International University, as well as Enrolled Agent credential from the IRS. She maintains active membership in the NSTP, along with the National Society of Accountants, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Arizona Society of Practicing Accountants.
Nina is a voracious reader keeping up with news and events as they affect the tax preparation community and also enjoys a good trashy novel now and again. Nina maintains a home in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as a second home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Her travels also take her to Vancouver, Washington, working with the NSTP staff as well as all over the country teaching NSTP seminars and attending the IRS Tax Forums.
Nina, a widow since May of 2013, has her cat, Shadow, who travels with her between Phoenix and Cabo San Lucas. Although her extended family resides on the East Coast; Nina settled in the Phoenix area back in 1995 where she has developed a network of great friends and a strong professional support team.
Helpline
Stephen A. Brann, EA
Stephen has been a member since 1997. Most recently he has sold his practice in Minnesota and is devoting his efforts to representing a few long-time clients and working with NSTP on the Helpline and as a moderator for the Webinar series started in 2016. Stephen has been in the Tax and Accounting field since leaving the Air Force in 1972. He owned and operated his own firms in New Mexico and Minnesota until 2015. Stephen attended college for three years after his Air Force stint, but did not receive a degree. Finances and family dictated that he work full time instead of school.
IT Specialist | Front End Developer | Sr. Graphic Designer
Joshua Koitzsch
In September of 2013, Joshua started his career with NSTP as the IT specialist. A graduate of Clark College with a Fine Arts and Graphic Design degree, he is currently working towards his Computer Science degree.
Instrumental in helping develop a new database, and restructuring and updating the NSTP website, Joshua is in charge of keeping the office up and running. While maintaining the wireless hubs and routers he is also responsible for installing, configuring, and repairing the storage networking devices, and servers.
Joshua finds it exciting to work for an organization that utilizes his love of technology, art, and graphic design in a way that is beneficial to the organization and its members. He is looking forward to a long and rewarding career with NSTP.
From 2000-2004 Joshua served his country in the United States Air Force. As a helicopter mechanic, he had the opportunity to travel the world experiencing exotic landscapes and cultures.
When not glued to a computer screen you can find him spending time with his family and volunteering for his local community.
Education
Carla Utter
Carla Utter joined NSTP in May of 2017. Having spent the last 12 years working for major technology companies, she held positions in operations management and staff augmentation, which allowed her to travel and work throughout the Pacific Northwest region. Her duties included training employees, writing manuals, and sourcing and placing software engineers for largescale development projects.
Currently she is a member of the NSTP education support team publishing course books for educational events, preparing and shipping course materials and providing office support where needed. She loves working at NSTP because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission of providing tax professionals with quality education and resources.
Her favorite extracurricular activities include trail running, hiking, mountain biking, visiting wineries, and spending time with her family.
Marketing | Affinity Partners
Denise Weston
Denise’s professional background in small business as well as the corporate world has provided her with a skill set that emphasizes marketing and social media. Denise learned about tax service firsthand as a customer service rep in a small, local tax preparation office in Vancouver, Washington.
Like most staff at non-profit organizations, Denise wears several hats. She is the Digital Content Marketer and Affinity Partner Program Coordinator. She also writes and edits copy and proofreads NSTP promotional documents, both online and print.
She has worked in the offices of major corporations including Hannah Motor Group, Nautilus Group, and more recently, Kroger Company at the Fred Meyer Main Office. Denise’s skills in copy writing, copy editing, and proofreading add to her experience in website planning and design, project management, and sales. Always learning, Denise is increasing her knowledge in html through online classes.
Denise enjoys working as a team player and believes that the united efforts of people with varying skill sets will lead to excellence. Denise holds an MFA degree from the University of Oregon, is married and has two children, both grown. She lives with her husband, two dogs Lucy and Pumpkin, and tropical fish in Washington State.