The Cabinet’s mission is to personally engage young professionals by promoting and aiding their involvement and development in the accounting profession.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CABINET MISSION
The Cabinet’s description and role is to provide young professionals in the accounting profession with networking, community outreach, leadership development, and diverse opportunities. The Cabinet also seeks ways to enhance the value of Association membership for young members, increase membership and connections within the Association, and inform the leadership of topics relevant to young members.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CABINET DESCRIPTION & ROLE
THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CABINET…
ADVOCATES for the profession by building and maintaining relationships with legislators through NCACPA’s Key Person Program.
PROMOTES the profession through activities and events including involvement with the NC CPA Foundation Inc.
ENGAGES and collaborates with other young professionals within NCACPA, and other diverse organizations across the state, in an effort to serve both the community and the accounting profession.
SUPPORTS diversity and inclusion in the profession by collaborating with young professionals within NCACPA and other organizations across the state.
LEADS within their firm, the profession, and North Carolina’s business community by representing young professionals on behalf of NCACPA.
CABINET LEADERSHIP
Chair: One-year term
Vice-Chair: One-year term
Succession Planning Subcommittee Chair: One-year term
NC CPA Foundation Inc. Liaison: One-year term
Note: Each Cabinet member serves a 3-year term.
CABINET OPERATIONS
The Cabinet creates and adheres to an annual action plan which details activities for the year. The action plan is discussed and agreed upon in the January meeting prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year for budget purposes and revisited at the first meeting of the next year to include the new class. This is an evergreen document and may be adjusted throughout the year as needs arise, however, all Cabinet activities must relate to the Cabinet mission.
NCACPA’s Young Professional Spotlight
THE CABINET IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW WAY TO CELEBRATE AN EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG PROFESSIONAL ON YOUR TEAM OR YOURSELF.
The “Young Professional Spotlight” is a nomination-based recognition with the goal of highlighting individuals who are making a positive impact on their peers, community, and/or the profession. Nominations are open to anyone, but the nominee must be an accounting professional who is 40 and under.
Nick Leone, CPA
Nick's Story
Director at The Siegfried Group
Nick has been a professional resource at The Siegfried Group for 8 years! Prior to this, he spent 6 years at Time Warner Cable’s Corporate Accounting Department after beginning his career at KPMG. Outside of work, Nick enjoys golfing, traveling, and the Carolina Panthers!
Angela M. House, MAcc
Angela's Story
Associate, Assurance at DMJPS PLLC
Hailing from Sanford, NC, Angela took a bold step, pivoting from a career in Pharmacy to dive headfirst into the accounting world. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and determination, showcasing her ability to navigate the rigorous demands of a Masters of Accounting program at UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business, all while embracing the joys and challenges of being a mother to two young children under the age of two and working full-time!
Meredith Schultz, CPA
Meredith's Story
Manager, ESG Controllership & Technical Accounting at The Clorox Company
Meredith’s journey into the ESG field has been an exciting adventure, showcasing the interrelation between accounting and sustainability. She enjoys the constant learning and collaboration with talented colleagues in this interdisciplinary field. Her educational foundation, with undergraduate and graduate degrees from NC State University, has been instrumental in her impactful career at Clorox, where she continues to drive meaningful change in the company’s ESG initiatives.
WHO IS AN “EXTRAORDINARY” YOUNG PROFESSIONAL?
The Cabinet describes an extraordinary young accounting professional as someone who exhibits excellence in the profession through one or more of the following areas:
- Community Outreach/ Engagement/Volunteering
- Networking and Engagement within the Profession
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Advocacy
- Leadership
- Mentorship
- Work Ethic
- Integrity, Character, and Grit
The Cabinet encourages professionals to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of your team and/or yourself.
Interested in nominating someone for
a Young Professional Spotlight?
Questions about the Young Professionals Cabinet or application? Please contact staff liaisons Holly Bazemore, Talia Tatum, or Mackenzie Williams.
Cabinet Leadership
Jon Coffman, CPA
Chair
Kimley-Horn | Triangle
Connect with Jon on LinkedIn
Austin Hobson, CPA
Vice Chair
Kimley-Horn | Triangle
Connect with Austin on LinkedIn
Aimee Jobe, CPA
Succession Planning
Subcommittee Chair
Forvis Mazars, LLP | Central Piedmont
Connect with Aimee on LinkedIn
Madison Williams, CPA
Foundation Liaison
SPI – Specialty Product & Insulation
Central Piedmont
Connect with Madison on LinkedIn
2022-2025 Class
Daryl Beville, CPA
Compass Group North America | Central Piedmont
Connect with Daryl on LinkedIn
Jessica Rhem, CPA, NCLGFO
Town of Apex | Triangle
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Halie Conners, CPA
DMJPS PLLC | Triangle
Connect with Halie on LinkedIn
Devon Parker, CPA
Certified Heating & Air Conditioning | Eastern NC
Connect with Devon on LinkedIn
2023-2026 Class
Joe Baker
First Citizens Bank | Central Piedmont
Connect with Joe on LinkedIn
Christa Foy, CPA
Cherry Bekaert, LLP | Central Piedmont
Connect with Christa on LinkedIn
John Pujals, CPA
The Halifax Group | Triangle
Connect with John on LinkedIn
Stephanie Sierra
Hendrick Automotive Group | Central Piedmont
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn
Mike Trefzger, CPA
Stancil PC | Triangle
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn
Juan Vigoya, CPA
Gilbarco Veeder-Root | Triad
Connect with Juan on LinkedIn
Welcoming the Incoming
2024-2027 Class
Justin G. Allen, CPA
Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAS, P.A.
Western NC
Madison Bell, CPA
Forvis Mazars, LLP | Triangle
Connect with Madison on LinkedIn
Brendan A. Garay, CPA
Fisher, P.A. | Central Piedmont
Connect with Brendan on LinkedIn
Rashel Korte, CPA
Enact MI | Triangle
Connect with Rashel on LinkedIn
Clay Nowlin, CPA
Aprio, LLP | Western NC
Connect with Clay on LinkedIn
Katie F. Patterson, CDFA
Peter Bell PLLC | Central Piedmont
Connect with Katie on LinkedIn
Jessica Saggus White, CPA
Cherry Bekaert LLP | Central Piedmont
Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn
Rick Ujaan, CPA
Elliot Davis PLLC | Central Piedmont
Connect with Rik on LinkedIn