Firm Promotes 30 Across The Firm
November 4, 2019 | New Philadelphia, Ohio – Employees across Rea & Associates’ 12 offices continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to professional development, client service and career advancement. For their ongoing efforts to serve their clients, their offices and the firm as a whole, the regional accounting and business consulting firm has promoted 30 employees across the firm. Of those who were promoted, four were tapped to become shareholders.
Ben Antonelli, CPA; Paul Gregory, CPA; and Dustin Raber, CPA, CMP; were promoted to equity principals on Nov. 1, 2019. They will join 27 others as partial owners of the Top 100 CPA firm.
Keep reading to learn the full list of promotions.
Ben Antonelli Named Equity Principal
Antonelli is a principal in Rea’s Dublin office. In this role he is responsible for managing and providing guidance to the firm’s assurance engagement teams and regularly consults with clients on financial reporting, internal controls and other operational issues. He is particularly well-versed on the topics of not-for-profit program efficiency, operating reliance, revenue recognition criteria, net asset restriction requirements, and allocation of functional expense methods. Antonelli earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bowling Green State University where he went on to earn a master’s degree in accountancy as well. Furthering his professional development, Antonelli is involved with the Ohio Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, and the Young Professionals Network of Columbus. He is also a 2015 graduate of the firm’s NextGen leadership program. Outside of work, Antonelli can be found serving on the finance committee for Prevent Blindness Ohio. He lives in Hilliard with his family. Read his full bio here.
Dustin Raber Named Equity Principal
Raber is a principal in Rea’s Wooster office where he also serves as director of manufacturing and distribution services. In this role, he is responsible for conducting audits, reviews and compilations for businesses and not-for-profit organizations. He also spends a lot of time consulting on financial reporting, accounting methods, internal controls, industry analysis and audit efficiencies. Raber earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Kent State University. His decade-long career has been successful and he continues to demonstrate his passion for the profession and his community. In addition to the roles already mentioned, Raber is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. In 2015 he was awarded the Richard Rea Award for Service to the Client. He is a member of the Ohio Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, the Holmes County Livestock Sale Committee, the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and he’s a 2016 graduate of Rea’s NextGen leadership program. Read his full bio here.
Paul Gregory Named Equity Principal
Gregory, a principal in Rea’s Avon office with more than 20 years of professional experience, is responsible for assisting with management of the office and generating new revenue through client service – particularly in the areas of bookkeeping, taxation and reviews and compilations. Gregory graduated summa cum laude from Baldwin Wallace College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Furthering his professional development, he is a member of the Ohio Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs and the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Gregory and his family resides in Grafton. Read his full bio here.
“Our PEOPLE will always be Rea’s first priority and most important firm cornerstone,” said Don McIntosh, CPA, CEO of Rea & Associates in an internal memo Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, the beginning of the firm’s fiscal year. “We have a great team. I’m proud to recognize [those] who were promoted by leadership for going above and beyond in their service to Rea, their team and our clients.”
Firm-Wide Promotions
To income principal:
- Ben Froese, CPA (New Philadelphia office – East Central Ohio Region)
To senior manager:
- Katie Brown, CPA (Zanesville office – Southeast Ohio Region)
- Melissa Dunkle, CPA (Dublin office – West Central Ohio Region)
- Morgan Helmick, CPA (Medina office – Northeast Ohio Region)
- Cody Niese, CPA (Lima office – West Central Ohio Region)
- Cassie Pierce, CPA (Marietta office – Southeast Ohio Region)
To senior plan consultant:
- Brigette Lafferty, QPA, QKA (Zanesville office – Southeast Ohio Region)
To manager:
- Joss Celuch, CPA (New Philadelphia office – East Central Ohio Region)
- Andrew Geiser, CPA (Millersburg office – East Central Ohio Region)
- Lauren Holt, CPA (Mentor office – Northeast Ohio Region)
- John Kurtin, CPA (Dublin office – West Central Ohio Region)
- Jason Martin, CPA (Dublin office – West Central Ohio Region)
- Katie Snyder, CPA (Wooster office – East Central Ohio Region)
To supervisor:
- Joshua Agin, CPA (Zanesville office – Southeast Ohio Region)
To senior associate:
- Spencer Gibbs (Zanesville office – Southeast Ohio Region)
- Mitchel Huffman, CFE (Lima office – West Central Ohio Region)
- Cody Kiser (New Philadelphia office – East Central Ohio Region)
To associate:
- Ashlie Spiker (Zanesville office – Southeast Ohio Region)