Chief Executive Officer
Jim Ahler, CAE

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 130
jtahler@ncacpa.org

Jim is the chief staff executive and answers
to the board of directors. A registered lobbyist, Jim directs the lobbying team at the General Assembly and represents the association with the State Board of CPA Examiners. He serves as liaison director for the Accounting and Attestation, Litigation Services, Long Range Planning, and Taxation Committees as well as the Government Relations and Professional Ethics Advisory Groups. A true blue Kentucky Wildcat fan, Jim knows his basketball. Just ask him.

Chief Operating Officer
Sharon Bryson, M.Ed.

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 143
shbryson@ncacpa.org

Sharon is responsible for overall NCACPA operations and human resource oversight. She serves as liaison to the Executive Committee, board of directors, and Nominating Committee. Having received both her undergrad and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it’s no surprise Sharon’s an avid Tar Heel fan. A certified member of Jimmy Buffet’s Parrot Head Club, Sharon also enjoys volunteer work focusing on adoption. However, her favorite thing…hands down…is spending time with her husband, Keith, and their
son, Matthew.

Executive Secretary
Fran Wilson

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 139
frwilson@ncacpa.org

Fran provides administrative support for the CEO and COO. She plans meetings for the association Board of Directors and serves as liaison to the Foundation Board of Directors and the Work/Life Issues Committee. She also is the facility/ landscape manager for the association and receptionist back-up. A UNC-CH alumna, Fran’s sports soul is dyed baby-blue. Her other passions are art, jazz, and woodland treks.

Communications

Director of Communications
Lorrie Leonhardt

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 159
lleonhardt@ncacpa.org

Lorrie oversees the marketing, membership, and chapter initiatives of NCACPA and is co-liaison to the Financial Literacy Council. Lorrie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Communication Studies (Go Heels!). In her spare time, Lorrie enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter—and watching her favorite sport, UNC basketball.

Brandi Crawford

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 128
bcrawford@ncacpa.org

Brandi manages the association's chapter initiative and is liaison to the Minority Issues Committee and co-liaison to Financial Literacy Council. Brandi is responsible for public relations and the financial literacy outreach programs. She graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Communication. As a North Carolina native, you can find her on the slopes in the winter and headed to the beach during the summer.

Membership Manager
Sonya Pittman

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 157
spittman@ncacpa.org

Sonya is responsible for member recruitment and retention, as well as manages the Member Service Center. She joined NCACPA in August 2003 and is one of the two Wolfpack alumni on staff. She has been termed a “Follow-Up Fanatic” and loves to spend time with the greatest dog in the world—her Golden Retriever, Maggie.

Chapter Meeting Planner
Angel Sutton

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 164
asutton@ncacpa.org

Angel is responsible for chapter relations for the western chapters of NCACPA—planning events for the Catawba Valley, Charlotte, Foothills, Northwest Piedmont, and Western Carolina Chapters. She also serves as liaison to the Chapter Relations Committee. Angel is a native of Oregon…Go Beavers!

Member Service Representative
Sandra Taylor

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 162
staylor@ncacpa.org

Sandra joined NCACPA in
1999 and enjoys her daily interactions with NCACPA members. In 2004, Sandra’s colleagues selected her to receive the Julie Coston Award for her contributions
to overall office culture. She is a native of North Carolina and lives with her husband
in Garner. She has three children and two grandchildren. At 1:00 pm
on any given day, Sandra
can be found in front of the TV in the lunch room watching All My Children!
 

Finance & Administration

Director of Finance & Administration
Tom Pender, CPA

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 126
tlpender@ncacpa.org

Tom oversees financial reporting, information technology, peer review, and benefits. He also serves as the staff liaison for the Young CPA Cabinet. A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, he has served the profession in a variety of ways including roles in international and local public accounting firms, corporate internal audit, and nonprofit development. Tom is happiest swinging a pick ax on a community service project in a developing country. Otherwise, you can find him behind the lens of his Canon camera, in front of a backpack, or at his table saw.

Operations
Coordinator
David Floyd

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 132
dwfloyd@ncacpa.org

In his 23^rd year with NCACPA, David is responsible for the shipping and receiving of all mail and UPS packages, helps with all large outgoing mailings and data entry projects, and maintains the copiers and mailing equipment. David is a native of Cary where he still lives. He is the proud uncle of two nephews, and is active with his Sunday school class
at Greenwood Forest
Baptist Church.

Peer Review
Coordinator
Mary Kelly

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 136
mckelly@ncacpa.org

Also known as the "Lifeguard of the Stars," Mary is responsible for coordinating the scheduling of peer reviews and serves as the liaison to the Peer Review Committee. This Raleigh native and Meredith College graduate is, surprisingly, a NASCAR and Carolina Panthers fan.

Staff Accountant
Frances Powers

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 154
fwpowers@ncacpa.org

Frances is responsible for processing all of the association’s accounts payable, month-end accounting, and system operating reports to assist with the preparation of the monthly financial statements. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and especially her grandchildren who keep her quite busy. Born on Halloween (we won’t say which year) her co-workers often “dress up” for her special day.

Systems Administrator
Linda Prashaw

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 131
lprashaw@ncacpa.org

Linda is the new systems administrator for NCACPA. Arriving in this department from nearly 10 years of service to the meeting planning arena, Linda now keeps anything that's plugged in, under control! In her spare time, Linda works a part-time job at the RBC Center in Raleigh so she can root on her favorite sports team, the Carolina Hurricanes.

Seminar Manager
Amy Kirk

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 129
akirk@ncacpa.org

Amy oversees the NCACPA seminar curriculum in terms of planning through execution of each program. She is the liaison to the Accounting and Attestation and Professional Development committees. Amy is a graduate of West Virginia University and has been a “transplant” in the area since 2000.

Conference Manager
Ashley Squier

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 158
asquier@ncacpa.org

Ashley works with the conference team on the development and delivery of NCACPA’s 13 annual conferences and other special events. She is a staff liaison to the Not-For-Profit, Members in Business and Industry, and Symposium Committees, and the newly formed Trends Team. Ashley is proud of her successes, the greatest of which being her son, Camden. Together they enjoy just about anything outdoors including riding their horse Epona, fishing, swimming, and snow skiing!

Meeting Planner
Jackie Asekhauno

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 141
jasekhauno@ncacpa.org

Jackie is the lead planner for the Leadership Summit, Local Government Conferences, Accounting Education Forum, and the Fraud Conference. Originally from the DC area, Jackie brought six years of association meeting planning experience with her when she moved to Raleigh in 2005. Jackie also enjoys camping, traveling, and watching any movie starring Matt Damon.

Meeting Planner
Rachel Greene

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 150
rgreene@ncacpa.org

Rachel is the lead planner for the two Tech Fest programs, CPA Inauguration, and the Emerging Leaders Conference. Having moved with her husband to North Carolina from Seattle, Washington, she misses the coffee but not the rain. Rachel graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Classical Studies and is your go-to girl if you ever want to talk about a dead language or ancient mythology.

Education Center Coordinator
Lisa Harrison

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 133
lisaharrison@ncacpa.org

Lisa administers seminar programs held at the NCACPA Education Center. She works with program administrators and the onsite registration process, as well as processing the attendance verification forms. While most of her spare time is volunteering at her church, she also enjoys quiet evenings with her husband and the kitty.

Meeting
Planner
Beth Hastings

(919) 469-1040 Ext. 123
bhastings@ncacpa.org