Since 2002, NCACPA has been dedicated to providing a voice for YPs in North Carolina. Formerly known as the Young CPA Cabinet, this group transitioned in May 2021 to encompass a broader reach for all young accounting professionals. The Young Professionals Cabinet focuses on initiatives and events for its demographic and has diverse state-wide representation with 24 members (three classes of 8), 40 years of age and under.
NCACPA’s Young Professionals Cabinet is excited to announce a new way to celebrate an extraordinary young professional on your team or yourself.
Congratulations to Director & Team Leader at The Siegfried Group, Nicholas (Nick) Leone, CPA, the inaugural Young Professional Spotlight!
A little about him… 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!
We’re excited to see what other wonderful contributions you make to the accounting community, Nick! Congratulations again!
Interested in nominating someone for a Young Professional Spotlight?
NCACPA HIGHLIGHTED ITS FIRST YOUNG PROFESSIONAL QUARTERLY SPOTLIGHT IN OCTOBER!
NICHOLAS LEONE, CPA
- Advice you’d give your younger self: Trust the process and always bet on yourself.
- Fun fact about Nicholas: He attributes his unbelievable flexibility (often referred to as the human rubber band) to taking gymnastics as a kid.
- Best career advice ever received: Growth is uncomfortable. If you want continuous growth, you must be comfortable being uncomfortable.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CABINET DESCRIPTION & ROLE
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 MISSION
The Cabinet’s mission is to personally engage young professionals by promoting and aiding their involvement and development in the accounting profession.
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.
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.
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.
Questions about the Young Professionals Cabinet or application? Please contact staff liaisons Holly Bazemore, Talia Renshaw, or Mackenzie Williams.
Cabinet Leadership
Jamie Caldwell, CPA
Chair
Beacon Partners
Central Piedmont
Jon Coffman, CPA
Vice Chair
Kimley-Horn
Triangle
Michael Scott, CPA
Succession Planning Subcommittee Chair
The Clorox Company
Triangle
Madison Williams, CPA
Foundation Liaison
Dole
Central Piedmont
2021-2024 Class
Bob Balzano, CPA
Elliott Davis LLC
Central Piedmont
Tiffany Goodman, CPA
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Central Piedmont
Cheryl de Castro, CPA
Newcomb and Company
Triangle
Ljubica Pilipovic, CPA
Bank of America
Central Piedmont
Chris Word, CPA
Alpine Intel LLC.
Central Piedmont
Taylor Dancy, CPA
Deloitte
Out of State
2022-2025 Class
Daryl Beville, CPA
Compass Group North America
Central Piedmont
Jessica Rhem, CPA, NCLGFO
Town of Apex
Triangle
Halie Conners, CPA
DMJPS PLLC
Triangle
Austin Hobson, CPA
Kimley-Horn
Triangle
Iris Laws, CPA
FORVIS, LLP
Triad
Devon Parker, CPA
Certified Heating & Air Conditioning
Eastern NC
2023-2026 Class
Joe Baker
First Citizens Bank
Central Piedmont
Taylor Dill, CPA
Cherry Bekaert, LLP
Triangle
Aimee Jobe, CPA
FORVIS, LLP
Central Piedmont
Christa Foy, CPA
Cherry Bekaert, LLP
Central Piedmont
John Pujals, CPA
The Halifax Group
Triangle
Stephanie Sierra
Prager Metis CPAs
Central Piedmont
Mike Trefzger, CPA
Stancil PC
Triangle
Juan Vigoya, CPA
Gilbarco Veeder-Root
Triad
Welcoming the Incoming
2024-2027 Class
Justin G. Allen, CPA
Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAS, P.A.
Western NC
Madison Bell, CPA
FORVIS, LLP
Triangle
Brendan A. Garay, CPA
Fisher, P.A.
Central Piedmont
Rashel Korte, CPA
Enact MI
Triangle
Clay Nowlin, CPA
Aprio, LLP
Western NC
Katie F. Patterson, CDFA
Peter Bell PLLC
Central Piedmont
Jessica Saggus White, CPA
Cherry Bekaert LLP
Central Piedmont
Rick Ujaan, CPA
Elliot Davis PLLC
Central Piedmont