AdvisorCPE speaker bios

J. Carlton Collins is President of Accounting Software Advisor, LLC. Since 1984, Carlton has worked in the accounting software industry installing systems, consulting with end users, lecturing to more than one hundred thousands businesses, consulting to accounting software companies, publishing books, articles and web sites. He is experienced with many of the top accounting software packages such as MAS 500, BusinessWorks, Microsoft Dynamics & eEnterprise, Navision Attain, Navision Axapta, ACCPAC Advantage Series, Platinum for Windows, E by Epicor, Open Systems Traverse, MAS 90, MAS 200, Exact's Macola ES, Peachtree Complete Accounting, Solomon IV, SAP R/3, QuickBooks Pro, BusinessVision 32, and more.

Has published extensive articles on accounting software in the Journal of Accountancy.
Has personally delivered over 1,500 lectures as far away as Australia & New Zealand.
Past Chairperson of the AICPA Technology Conference.
Past two-term Chairperson of the Georgia Society of CPAs PC Advisory Committee.
Past five-term President of the PC Consultant’s Group of Atlanta -- an which he founded.
Has published articles in LAN Magazine, Accounting Today, and other magazines.
Recipient of the Outstanding Discussion Leader Award from the Georgia Society of CPAs.
Recipient of the AICPA Lifetime Technical Contribution to the CPA Profession Award.
Named “Top Ten CPA Technologists” by Accounting Technologies Magazine.
Lead author for PPC’s Guide to Installing Microcomputer Accounting Systems.
Has lectured in more than 40 States and five countries.
Has delivered keynote lectures at more than a dozen accounting software conferences.
Created the GSCPA National Microcomputer Consulting Certificate program.
Has provided consulting services to Compaq, IBM, Microsoft, Best and others.

Carlton’s diverse background is an asset in providing his specialized consulting skills. He has six years of accounting, auditing and tax experience in the areas of health care, construction, distribution, automobile dealerships, insurance, manufacturing, and general business. His tax experience includes corporate, individual, partnership, fiduciary, and estate tax planning work. Carlton also has been heavily involved in the other areas of financial forecasts, bond financing, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, conventional financing, pension and profit sharing plans, and business planning.

Geni Whitehouse, CPA

COO
AdvisorCPE

Geni Whitehouse, CPA, CITP is the Chief Operating Officer of Accounting Software Advisor where she is responsible for publishing, lecturing, and consulting on accounting software solutions. With experience implementing solutions from Peachtree to PeopleSoft, Geni brings a broad perspective to her evaluation of technical solutions. She has spent the last 20 years finding new ways to apply her accounting expertise to technology and her technical expertise to accounting.

Served as COO of Elliott Davis Technology Solutions, LLC – reseller of MAS90, SalesLogix, Navision Attain
Former Director, Product Marketing And Strategic Alliances, Navision Software US
PeopleSoft Hr/Payroll/Benefits Administration Instructor, National Geographic Society
Implementer/Trainer, Evans Technology, Inc – Primavera Project Management Software
Former Partner, Gross, Duke, And Nelson , CPAs, Atlanta , GA – Technology Practice
Began her career with Deloitte Haskins and Sells (now Deloitte Touche)
Former member XBRL Steering Committee
Speaker, Navision Passport 1999, 2000, 2001
Speaker, Institute of Management Accountants, 82nd , 81st Annual Convention
Member, AICPA/ITA 2000 Technology Conference Planning Committee
Speaker, NCEDBT, Augusta Technology Summit, May 2002
Punchline Comedy Club, November, 2001

Geni’s background ranges from Public Accounting to Industry, from software vendor to reseller, and from small clients to Fortune 500 clients. Her unusual exposure to many sides of technology and accounting make her an informative speaker, while her comedy training helps to insure that her audiences will be entertained.

Susan Sheridan

Senior Vice President of Marketing
ACCPAC

As Senior Vice President of Marketing at ACCPAC, Susan Sheridan 's responsibilities encompass the complete marketing arena at ACCPAC, including product marketing, channel marketing, business development, web services and customer care.

Ms. Sheridan joined ACCPAC in July 2000 upon ACCPAC's acquisition of SBT Accounting Systems, where she was Executive Vice President. She previously worked at Autodesk, where she served as marketing director and in product and channel-marketing positions. Her background includes building and selling her own marketing agency and stints at hardware and software companies, including Microsoft.

Susan is a graduate of the University of Maryland and her work has been published in a variety of trade journals.

Dana R. ( Rick ) Richardson , CPA, CDF

President
Richardson Media & Technologies

Dana R. "Rick" Richardson is president of Richardson Media & Technologies, a multi-media and strategic technology consulting company. Prior to forming his current company, Mr. Richardson had a 28-year career in technology with Ernst & Young, the last 12 years of which he served as National Director of Technology. Mr. Richardson has been named to the "Technology 100" - the annual honors list of the 100 key achievers in technology in America — and was honored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with a lifetime achievement award for technology. He is a sought-after speaker around the world, providing his annual forecast of future technology trends to thousands of business executives, professionals, community leaders, educators and students.

Doug Meyer

President And Chief Operating Officer
Peachtree Software

In his role as president and COO, Meyer is charting the long-term strategic direction for Peachtree Software. To accomplish this, he closely monitors the needs of accountant and small business customers, the potential impact of new technologies on the small business market, and how Peachtree can best improve upon and develop these solutions to help customers continue to get the insight behind their numbers.

Doug joined Peachtree in 1991 and quickly progressed from his role as product manager to serve as senior vice president and chief operating officer. During his tenure at Peachtree, he has been involved in virtually all of the company's different operations and has a deep understanding of customers, markets and the inner workings of the company.

Before joining Peachtree, he was a product manager at NCR Corporation in Duluth , GA , where he handled PC-based hardware and software point-of-sales systems for the hospitality industry.

He holds a M.S. degree in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Carolyn Sechler

Principal
Sechler, CPA, PC

Carolyn Sechler , CPA is the big honcho of the firm of Sechler CPA PC in Phoenix , Arizona . Her expertise is in tax and strategic planning, financial reporting, and management consulting, primarily to nonprofit organizations and technology entrepreneurs. She has been serving clients in this capacity for approximately 20 years.

Her fully wired practice, which she calls a "virtual accounting firm," demonstrates her belief in the liberating power of technology and its endless opportunities. The team all work from their homes and resides in several states and Canada . Likewise the client base includes Organizations both domestic and international.

Carolyn brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspective to her clients.

Before becoming a CPA, she held an executive position with the American College of Emergency Physicians, participating in the accreditation process.

Carolyn is an animated and passionate public speaker on local and national levels, a writer/editor, and Internet “surfer.”

Selected one of the "Top 100 Most Influential People in the Profession" for the third year running.
Featured in Accounting Today's list of "Trailblazers in Technology."
Featured in the following magazines within the last year:

Journal of Accountancy
Tax Advisor
Practical Accountant,
Accounting Technology

Writes for a number of professional publications
Technology editorial advisor for the Tax Advisor and Journal of Accountancy

Her topics include tax and financial issues, futurist and visioning applications, non-profit organizations, and technology integration to meet user and organizational needs. Systems design; training and strategic alliance issues have become some of her latest fun topics!

She and her team can be found online most any time of day.

Jim Metzler , CPA

Partner
Convergence Coaching, LLC

Jim is a Partner and co-founder of ConvergenceCoaching LLC, a consulting firm that helps CPA and IT firms achieve greater success in the development of their information technology practices. Jim is the former partner in charge of marketing and information technology for Gaines Metzler Kriner & Company,LLP of Buffalo, New York. He is the founder of GEMKO Information Group, Inc., a successful computer consulting organization.

Named to the Accounting Today "100 Most Influential People in Accounting," for each of seven years from 1994 to 2001.
Past president of Information Technology Alliance.
Chair of the Executive Committee of the AICPA Information Technology Section.
Member of the AICPA Technology Conference Steering Committee.
Frequent lecturer for AICPA, IBM, Microsoft and global CPA professional associations

Jim is the author of How to Build a Million Dollar Technology Consulting Practice published by Harcourt Professional Publishing and has presented numerous workshops and seminars on this topic.

Donna L. Greer

Vice - President, Business Development
Greer Information Services, Ltd.

With over ten years experience in the information technology arena, Donna focuses on new business initiatives, establishes critical industry partnerships and ensures that their comprehensive solutions meet the needs of our clients. She also excels in finding & maintaining the strong network of professionals that form the Greer Information Services team. In addition, Donna serves in a corporate role to assist in the development of overall strategic direction for the company.

Taylor Macdonald

Senior Vice President, Business Partners
Best Software U.S. Operations

Taylor Macdonald is Senior Vice President, Business Partners for Best Software U.S. Operations. Taylor is responsible for designing and implementing programs that leverage all US operating companies partner channels across all US products, monitor and maximize performance of the channel, and provide standardized best practice instruction for all channel partners.

Frequent speaker for the AICPA and ITA
Spoken at technology conferences including Comdex and NetWorld.
Frequent Contributor to Accounting Today magazine and serves on their editorial advisory board
Named “Top 100 Most Influential People” in the accounting profession by Accounting Today magazine in 1998.
Named “Technology Star” by Accounting Technology magazine in 1997.
Member Southeastern Software Association

Macdonald joined Sage in February 1998 as vice president of partner development. He also managed Sage's field-based regional account managers and was involved in partner recruitment. Prior to joining Sage, he was founder and president of Macdonald Consulting Group (MCG) in Atlanta , a business software-consulting firm he formed in 1990.

Jennifer Wilson

Partner
Convergence Coaching, LLC

Jennifer Wilson is a co-founder of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC and a partner in Success Strategists, a practice management and marketing consulting company. Jennifer ’s primary mission is to help her clients grow their businesses and achieve their goals.

Named one of Accounting Technology magazine’s Technology Stars
Chairman of the American Institute of CPA's Tech 2002 Conference Steering Committee
Member of the Information Technology Alliance Fall 2001 Conference Planning Committee
Member American Marketing Association
Jennifer is active in industry organizations advocating a market-oriented approach to building business.

Jennifer worked in both the public accounting and IT sectors before founding Success Strategists. As a partner for the top ten accounting firm, BDO Seidman, LLP, Jennifer ran the National Financial Solutions Group practice with nearly 100 consultants providing software selection, implementation and support services to clients ranging from $5 to $100 million in size.

Prior to BDO Seidman, Jennifer was Vice President of Sales and Customer Services for State Of The Art, Inc. (now known as Best Software, Inc.) where she was responsible for the publicly-traded software publisher’s sales, marketing communications, education and customer services functions. Instrumental in implementing the company’s highly successful CPA marketing programs, Jennifer assisted in recruiting tens of thousands of CPAs to State Of The Art.

Bob Sywolski

Chief Executive Officer
Blackbaud

Robert J. Sywolski , brings more than twenty-five years of operations experience to his role as CEO of Blackbaud. He is responsible for building on the company's success and expanding its offerings to continue its role as the leading provider of software, services and e-philanthropy solutions to the nonprofit community.

Prior to joining Blackbaud in March 2000, Bob spent 12 years as the Chairman and CEO of the North American Operations of Cap Gemini, a systems integration, management consulting and information technology services company, which he grew to $250 million.

A member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, he is on the boards of the ePhilanthropyFoundation.org, Changepoint Corporation, Transcentive, Inc., and METASeS. Bob holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and an MBA.

Sue Bennett, CPA

Co-Founder
Bennett/Porter & Associates, Inc.

Sue has an extensive formal education and background in both accounting and general business operations. Prior to founding Bennett/Porter, she worked as a practical accountant in multiple business environments and well as selling a variety of mid-sized accounting software applications. In her fourteen years of leadership at Bennett/Porter, she has been instrumental in the success of many of the over 800 MAS90/MAS200 implementations that her team has performed. She has been key in defining the service based principles and practices that have won Bennett/Porter client trust over the years, and she is a passionate proponent of the concept of providing clients with a vital link between technology and business solutions.

BPAC (Best’s Business Partner’s Advisory Council) member since inception
Instrumental in achieving Bennett/Porter’s Customer Service Award for 3 years in a row
Selected speaker for multiple Successful Reseller panels
Member of Circle of Excellence for 5 years in a row
Named “Technology Pacesetter” by Accounting Today magazine
Named Strategic Alliance Partner for CPA’s in Portland Area
BBA in Finance from Idaho State University

Sue provides Bennett/Porter’s talented team of employees with a clear vision of what is required to make the company successful. Her daily participation in the evolution of a positive team culture has been key to the company’s ability to maintain a reputation for one of the finest employers in the Portland , Oregon area.

Rob Blake

Group Program Manager
Finance and Administration IT
Microsoft Corp.

As group program manager of Finance and Administration IT at Microsoft Corp., Rob Blake is responsible for identifying and implementing new technologies and standards across the company and externally as they relate to financial reporting and planning. He oversees the company’s utilization and development of the Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) and works to publicize the benefits of the financial reporting standard to partners, investors and other companies. Blake works closely with the Finance and Administration IT development team at Microsoft to create and implement improved processes for reporting financial results in XBRL. In addition, Blake collaborates with product development teams across the company to ensure that Microsoft® products support and incorporate XBRL functionality.

Software and Services Supply Chain representative on the XBRL International Steering Committee
Member of the XBRL U.S. Executive Committee and is Domain Chair of the XBRL U.S. jurisdiction.
Director of Product Strategies for FRx Software Corp., which is part of the Microsoft Great Plains Business Solutions division.
Public Sector Solutions Inc., based in Vienna , Va. , publishing USL Financials, a client/server-based midmarket accounting package for the not-for-profit/governmental sector.

Blake has more than 12 years of industry and financial experience and is one of the most dynamic speakers in the industry today.

Microsoft and Great Plains are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United Statesand/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Patrick Fitzhenry

Director of Marketing Strategy for Business Solutions
MICROSOFT

Pat began his career with Arthur Anderson & Company in the Management Information Consulting Division. He was later a Consulting Division Manager with Price Waterhouse. During this time he authored more than a dozen articles for PC Magazine focusing on accounting software products.

He joined Solomon Software in 1987 and held numerous positions including – Regional VP of Sales, VP of CPA Programs and Relations, VP Vertical Markets, VP Mergers and Acquisitions, Senior VP Communications, Senior VP Sales & Marketing. Solomon Software was acquired by Great Plains Software in 1999 and Great Plains Software was acquired by Microsoft in 2000. Pat is now Director of Marketing Strategy for Microsoft’s Business Solutions Division. He is a frequent speaker on software technology and its impact on business processes.

David R. Harris

President
EC INTERNET

Throughout his extensive career, David Harris has remained at the forefront of companies delivering real business solutions based on leading technology. As vice-president of Marketing and Sales at SBT Accounting Systems, David led the movement to LAN-based accounting systems. Then, as president of SBT Internet Systems, he spearheaded industry's turn toward electronic commerce.

Served as MIS Director for two companies.
Set up two multi-million-dollar customer service operations.
Developed the first contact manager and mailing list applications for the PC.
Designed the first e-commerce applications integrated to accounting systems.
Created and sold 1000-domain home page hosting service.
Co Founder of SofTech CEO Roundtable

David heads up EC Internet, a company dedicated to providing standardized solutions for electronic commerce. EC Internet has integrated over 500 on-line stores with Pro Series, VisionPoint, and AccountMate accounting systems. EC Internet's popular e-commerce packages include the Web Pro Pack and EC Gateway. EC Internet provides end-to-end integration and support for software resellers and mid-sized companies.

David is a frequent speaker at key technology industry events such as Internet and Electronic Commerce Conference, Online Expo, Business Online, CPA and Business Expo. He has been a guest on numerous television and radio shows across the country.

Kent Hollrah

President
MIP software

Kent Hollrah joined MIP in 1997 from Open Systems Holdings Corp., a commercial accounting software vendor, where he was vice president of sales and services. Hollrah has 18 years of sales expertise in the accounting and computing industries, as well as extensive experience developing channels and distribution networks. Hollrah holds a BBA in marketing from the University of Oklahoma .

Shawna Van Buskirk

Product Marketing Manager
Navision Software US

Shawna Van Buskirk is Product Marketing Manager at Navision Software US. She assists resellers in the CRM, Manufacturing and Distribution industries.

Shawna worked as a pre-sales consultant to the reseller channel prior to her current role. Her various responsibilities in that capacity included pre-sales activities such as product demonstrations with potential buyers. She has held numerous roles at the former Damgaard organization including support representative and software trainer.

Shawna was with the Geac Computer Corporation before joining Navision. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia.

Rick Sundahl

President
Grey Wolf Systems

Rick Sundahl has been President of Grey Wolf Systems since 1993. With offices in Colorado, California, Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, Grey Wolf Systems is a technology solution provider for distributors in the United States and Canada. Grey Wolf ’s supported technologies include SalesLogix, Best Software, NxTrend, Microsoft and Eclipse. Grey Wolf ’s core areas of focus are CRM, ERP, EDI, eCommerce, and Networking.

Mr. Sundahl ’s previous employers include R&D Systems (NxTrend), IBM, General Dynamics, and Martin Marietta .

Education and Certifications:

BS in Electrical Engineering University of Colorado at Boulder
BS in Marketing University of Colorado at Boulder
MBA in Finance University of Colorado at Boulder
Certified Management Accountant
Certified Computer Professional
Microsoft Certified System Engineer

Rick has presented at the University of Industrial Distribution , NxTrend’s User Conferences and SHIMS Wholesalers Association’s national and regional meetings. Rick has also been employed as an adjunct professor at Wichita State University and Kansas Newman College .

Peter Kaufman

President
Dynamic Software Solutions

Peter is President and founder of Dynamic Software Solutions, located in Miami , Florida . He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida .

Former Marketing Manager, National Sales Manager, FIS Group.
Named Top U.S. ACCPAC reseller,1996.
In 1996, he expanded operations by adding professional services and international sales
NamedTop U.S. ACCPAC reseller in 1998 and 2000.
Named Accounting Technology Pacesetter, Accounting Today magazine in 1998,1999 & 2001.
Named Killer VAR by Accounting Technology magazine, 2001.
Dynamic Software Solutions was of only 2 US Resellers to reach MASTERS status in 2001.

Peter currently is Vice Chairman of ACCPAC’s business advisory counsel. He has been featured in the Miami Daily Business Review and several trade magazines.

Bruce Ciarleglio

Vice President of Marketing
Aston Group ( North America ) Inc.

Bruce Ciarleglio, Vice President of Marketing, brings over 25 years of experience in selling and servicing technical products, along with a wealth of knowledge in developing successful IT strategies for the manufacturing and distribution industry, to his position at Aston Group. Mr. Ciarleglio manages and directs the company's customer relationships and oversees its branding and highly targeted marketing strategies within North America .

Founding member of Aston Group and is credited with consolidating the individual marketing efforts of its 19 North American offices into one centralized corporate operation.
Lead the initiative to enhance the company's traditional, paper-based marketing efforts by producing technology-driven, multi-media tools, which have proven to be more effective and financially beneficial.
Heads the company's video production studio department.

Prior to joining Aston Group, Bruce served as founder of a consumer electronics distribution company, where he maintained a 35 percent profit margin, exceeding the industry average. Bruce founded Adventures In Automation, an internationally recognized firm that helped companies select, train and implement software systems to run their businesses. For more than ten years, Adventures In Automation was viewed as a top-performing industry leader and model for the Value Added Reseller.

Bruce resides in Southern California and enjoys chasing his ball around the golf course, sampling fine wines and just about anything you can do at a beach.

Fred A. Coad, CPA, CITP, MBA, MSA

Owner
Computerized Business Associates, Inc.

Fred A. Coad, CPA, CITP, MBA, MSA, is a sole practitioner and president of Computerized Business Associates, Inc., an authorized Peachtree Resource Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has over 25 years of experience assisting clients with accounting systems solutions, management consulting, and financial solutions, and has helped clients with Peachtree since 1984. Mr. Coad has co-authored Peachtree Solutions - A Problem Guide for Accounting Professionals since its inception. He provides a wealth of practical insight gained from years of “hands-on” experience with Peachtree. Mr. Coad is certified as a trainer and technician on all of the Peachtree products.

Brian Austin

Vice President of Marketing
Aston Group ( North America ) Inc.

As Director of Softline Software’s public relations group, Brian Austin ’s range of responsibilities includes all aspects of internal and external PR, including press relations, business partner channel relations, and accounting industry relations. Mr. Austin joined Softline in 2001 with a charter to build awareness of Softline’s North American subsidiaries, BusinessVision and AccountMate. He previously worked as Accpac’s director of press and analyst relations, following a four-year stint advising SBT Accounting Systems on PR strategy.

Austin is a graduate of California State University , Fullerton , where he earned a master’s degree in American politics.

Eric Cohen, CPA

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Eric Cohen’s position at PWC is to be involved in the XBRL initiative. He is the chair of the US Jurisdiction of XBRL.org and is a frequent contributor to technology publications and is a favorite lecturer on technology topics.

Author, Accountant's Guide to the Internet, from John Wiley & Sons.
Chair AICPA Technology Conference 2000
Lectured on behalf of CICA,NYSSCPA, National Tax Institute
Forum Editor for CompuServe’s accounting forums, nysscpa.org’s “Ask An Expert”
Chair New York State Emerging Technologies Committee ,1999
Frequent lecturer on CPA firm automation, E-Commerce, Human Aspects of Computing, Internet Research
Frequent Contributor to Infobytes, an AICPA publication

He is the former Technology Coach at Cohen Computer Consulting and a former Manager of Computer Advisory Services for one of Rochester, New York ’s largest local CPA firm. He holds an MBA in Public Accounting and Marketing from the Simon School of Management in Rochester</