Partners

Jacques Blais

Jacques Blais is a Shareholder and a Member of Vestal & Wiler’s executive committee. Jacques is primarily responsible for tax planning pertaining to Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, S Corporations, Individuals and Trusts. He has devoted a significant amount of time in providing consulting services for choice of entity planning, business restructuring, real estate ownership restructuring, construction industry taxation, cost segregation studies, deferred compensation structuring, estate tax planning and retirement planning. Jacques also has a great deal of experience resolving disputes with the Internal Revenue Service. Jacques has lectured on choice of entity, construction industry taxation and various estate planning matters.

Jacques graduated from Lawrence Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He obtained his CFP designation as a Certified Financial Planner in 1990 upon completion of the required courses and examinations at both Walsh College and Oakland University. Jacques received his CSP designation as a Certified Succession Planner in 2009. The CSP certification identifies those individuals with at least 10 years experience in a succession planning dependent field. In addition to the experience requirements, a CSP candidate must complete the necessary course work and pass the CSP examination in order to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the critical factors impacting succession planning. Jacques is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Jacques began his career in public accounting in Michigan in 1984 and joined Vestal & Wiler in 1991. His industry expertise includes Real Estate Development, Commercial and Residential Construction, Manufacturing, Distribution, Medical Services, Hotels and Lodging, Professional Service Organizations, Automobile and related dealerships and not-for-profit organizations.

His current and past professional affiliations and community services include the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, Central Florida Estate Planning Council, Employee Benefits Council of Central Florida, Inc., Windermere Groves Treasurer and Treasurer of the Downtown Arts District. In addition, Jacques is a Member of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

×

Irene McNutt

Irene McNutt is a Shareholder in the Accounting and Auditing Services Department of Vestal & Wiler. Irene is the firm’s designated audit partner for the AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center and is responsible for all aspects of the firm’s employee benefit plan practice. She is recognized throughout Florida as an expert and lectures frequently on the nuances of employee benefit plans. In addition to her expertise in the employee benefits arena, Irene serves some of our largest clients in Professional Services, Manufacturing, Construction and Auto Dealership industries.

She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in Accounting and received her Master’s of Science degree in Accounting in 1997. Irene is a member of both the American and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Upon her graduation from UCF in 1994, Irene started developing her skills and expertise as an Intern with our firm and we are proud of the fact that in 2005 she became a Partner with Vestal & Wiler.

In addition, Irene’s current community involvement includes serving as past President of the UCF Accounting Advisory Board, past President of the ASPPA Benefits Council of Central Florida, Treasurer of the Friends of the Orange County Library, Treasurer of the Mustard Seed of Central Florida and Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida.

×

Steve Castino

Steve Castino is a shareholder and member of the executive committee of Vestal & Wiler CPAs. Steve works to keep the Firm a growing, innovative and forward moving organization. In addition, Steve is a frequent speaker for Upstream Academy, a premier leadership organization for CPA firms throughout North America. Furthermore, Steve was the Managing Partner of Vestal & Wiler Technology Services, a managed services technology provider, until selling the company in 2016.

Steve is on the global board, executive committee, and is the finance chair of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) headquartered in Chicago, IL. He is a member of the elected board and the finance chairman of Florida Citrus Sports. He is also a member of the Florida Venture Forum board and executive committee. Steve is a member of YPO, a global leadership community of extraordinary chief executives. Steve was also a 2011 Orlando Business Journal 40 under 40 finalist.

Prior to joining Vestal & Wiler, Steve was a Financial Analyst for LeCesse Development, a National Association of Home Builders “Top 100″ builder. Throughout business school Steve worked as a Financial Analyst for CNL Investment Company, one of the largest privately held real estate investment and finance companies in the US.

Steve graduated from Rollins College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Minor in Business Administration. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and Management, from Rollins College’s Crummer School of Business. In addition, he studied at Vaxjo University in Sweden as a graduate student.

×

Mitri Homsi

Mitri Homsi is a Shareholder of Vestal & Wiler. Mitri provides tax consulting services to clients in various industries including automotive, real estate, hospitality, technology, SaaS, PEO groups, and private equity. Mitri has spent significant amount of time advising clients on entity restructuring, choice of entity, recapitalizations, entity conversions, mergers and acquisitions, partner buyouts, and private equity acquisitions. In addition, Mitri has extensive experience providing tax planning services for Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships, S-Corporations, C-Corporations and individuals.

 

Mitri graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in the Science of Accounting and graduated from the University of Florida with a Master’s Degree in Accounting with a Tax Specialization. Prior to joining Vestal & Wiler, Mitri worked for Deloitte where he specialized in Real Estate and Private Equity and provided tax consulting services to real estate funds, publicly traded and private equity REITs, and private equity groups that include The Blackstone Group and Global Infrastructure Partners. Currently, Mitri specializes in clients in the automotive, real estate, hospitality, technology, PEO groups and private equity industries.

×

Cathy McKenna

Catherine “Cathy” Sirkin McKenna is a Shareholder in the Accounting and Auditing services department at Vestal & Wiler. She has extensive public accounting experience, and utilizes that in her position as specializing in working as a liaison with publicly held companies and venture capital groups with private companies in the Central Florida Marketplace. She has widespread experience in the industries of Technology, SaaS, Real Estate, Hospitality, Construction, Manufacturing, Management, Service Organizations, and Common Interest Realty Associations. Cathy also leads the firm initiative in serving the international market with experience in “International Financial Reporting Standards” (IFRS). She is involved in auditing employee benefit plans and forensic accounting assignments. Cathy has significant experience in the performance of due diligence and business acquisition engagements. Cathy has also been a speaker at UCF, accounting organizations, and client functions.

She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida obtaining a Bachelor in Science in Business Administration degree majoring in accountancy. Catherine is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants

Prior to joining Vestal & Wiler in 2003, her public accounting background and experience includes serving as a Shareholder with a local accounting firm in Winter Park, Florida and ten years with Deloitte & Touche in the Orlando, Florida office.

Cathy is a graduate of Leadership Orlando. Her current and past community and professional involvement includes Board Member of Association for Corporate Growth, former member of Orange County Public Schools Foundation, former President and Board Member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Central Florida Chapter and volunteering at several Orange County Public Schools. She frequently lectures and teaches various groups on auditing, accounting and finance and specialty areas of accounting.

×

Brian Stephenson

Brian Stephenson is a Shareholder in the Tax Services department at Vestal & Wiler. His experience with tax planning and consulting has allowed him to help guide business owners in successfully achieving their goals, while at the same time, minimizing tax burdens. Brian has specialized knowledge in the areas of Research and Development Credits, Cost Segregation Studies, and Long Term Contract accounting. He has also co-authored and updated the tax chapter of past issues of the Construction Financial Management Association’s Annual publication.

The University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee is where Brian earned his Master of Science in Accounting- Taxation, and Bachelor of Business Administration, degrees. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the FICPA.

His career in public accounting began at BDO Seidman LLP, and then shifted to Deloitte & Touche LLP before finally joining Vestal & Wiler in 2003. He serves clients in numerous industries including: Construction, Manufacturing, Sales and Service.

Brian currently sits on the Board of the Central Florida Chapter of Construction Financial Management Association and is an Allied Member of Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association. Volunteer activities Brian has been involved with include: Junior Achievement classroom presentations, Habitat for Humanity silent auction events, and the American Cancer Society “Relay for Life”. Additionally, he has served as a Board Member for the American Cancer Society.

×

Ricardo Villamil

Ricardo Villamil is a Partner in the Accounting and Auditing Services Department. Throughout his career, Ricardo has acquired expertise in audits, reviews and compilation of financial statements for many middle market clients in Commercial Construction, Manufacturing, Real Estate Development, Contractors, Retail, Dealerships, Direct Mail, Resorts and Golf Courses, Homeowners Associations, and Employee Benefit Plans. He has also been involved in several non-traditional transactions and engagements such as mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, review of internal controls and development of processes, fraud investigation, and interim controllership.

Ricardo graduated from The University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. He also attended the University of South Carolina in 1997. Ricardo is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

He began his career in public accounting in 1998 with the accounting firm of HLB Morales Padillo & Co. in San Juan, Puerto Rico doing audits for a governmental entity and several middle market companies. In 1999 he moved to Tucson, Arizona where he spent over 5 years with the accounting firm of Beach Fleischman & Co., doing audits and tax returns for middle market companies. Ricardo joined Vestal & Wiler in 2005.

Ricardo currently serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for the Central Florida CFMA. He is also an active volunteer for Junior Achievement of Central Florida, the Boys & Girls Club, and Habitat for Humanity.

×

Terry Walker

Terry Walker, Shareholder and Tax Partner at Vestal & Wiler has over 30 years of experience in public accounting serving a wide variety of industries, including Real Estate Developers, Construction Contractors, Employee Benefit Plans, Manufacturing Companies, Professional Service Firms, Private Universities, Non-Profit Organizations and Software Companies. She has also represented clients before the IRS in audit matters, penalty reduction, federal tax lien appeals and installment payment plans. The majority of her experience is with closely held businesses and includes multi-state taxation issues. Her passion is providing excellent client service in the area of taxation, but has also provided attest, due diligence and litigation support services.

Prior to joining Vestal & Wiler, Terry was a part of the audit and tax team at Graham, Cottrill for thirteen years. Her professional history also includes a short tenure at Walt Disney World as a staff accountant and four years at another local firm.

Terry graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

×

Angie Stawicki

Angela “Angie” Stawicki is a Partner in the Accounting and Audit Services Department. She is responsible for performing the audits and reviews of financial statements for middle market clients in a variety of industries including Manufacturing, Distribution, Construction, Hospitality and Tourism, Service Organizations and Employee Benefit Plans. She also has experience in fraud investigation and forensic accounting assignments.
Angie graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree and then attended the University of Central Florida where she received her Master’s in Taxation degree. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Angie started her career at the firm in 1999 as an intern in the Tax Services Department. In 2003, she transitioned to the Accounting and Audit Services Department where she continued her professional growth. In 2015, Angie was welcomed as a Partner with Vestal & Wiler.

Angie’s current and past community involvement includes serving as Treasurer of the Princeton House Charter School and coordinating the annual Bowl-A-Thon benefiting Junior Achievement of Central Florida for over ten years. She is also an Allied member of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA) where she serves on the Accounting committee for the CFHLA’s Annual Bacchus Bash.

×

Tom Hewitt

Tom Hewitt is a Shareholder in the Accounting and Audit Services Department and is a leader of Vestal & Wiler’s M&A Advisory Practice.  Tom provides audits and reviews of financial statements for many middle-market clients, primarily in the industries of technology, SaaS, healthcare, and private equity, as well as the waste industry.  As a Certified M&A Advisor, Tom also assists financial and strategic buyers with financial due diligence and related transaction advisory, as well as sellers in developing exit strategies and in maximizing enterprise value.

Tom is a U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force veteran, where he served honorably and most notably as a U.S. embassy guard and security forces team leader during Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.  Following seven years of active duty military service, Tom attended Valdosta State University’s Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration where he graduated in 2007 with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Accounting and Finance.  He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree, with concentrations in Finance and Risk Management & Insurance, from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors and Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors.

Tom began his public accounting career in 2007 with the accounting firm Nichols, Cauley & Associates in Atlanta, Georgia and joined Vestal & Wiler in 2012.

Tom’s current and past community involvement includes serving as Treasurer of the Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses, Inc.’s Orlando Chapter and State Executive Boards, as well as a Pro Bowl Playmaker for Florida Citrus Sports. In 2016, Tom was honored as a Veteran of Influence by the Orlando Business Journal.

×

John Waybright

John Waybright is the Managing Director of Business Advisory Services for Vestal & Wiler. John brings over 30 years of experience in management consulting, accounting and auditing. John specializes in business valuation, litigation support, transaction advisory services, and management consulting. John has performed business valuation engagements for estate tax, gift planning, financial reporting, redemption of shares, conversion form C-Corporation to S-Corporation status, stock options, ESOPs, recapitalizations, litigation support, and mergers and acquisitions. John has also testified or prepared reports for litigation/disputes on matters of forensic accounting, fraud, economic damages and family law.

John graduated from Marshall University in 1989 with a Bachelors in Business Administration. In addition to his CPA license, John is accredited in business valuation by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, is an Accredited Senior Appraiser in business valuation by the American Society of Appraisers, and holds the Certified Management Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant designations. John is also a member of the Association for Corporate Growth, member of the Appraisal Issues Task Force, and Audit Committee Member of the American Society of Appraisers.

Prior to joining Vestal & Wiler, John spent 3 years as the Director of Business Advisory Services in the Columbus, Ohio office of Schneider Downs. Prior to Schneider Downs, John spent 10 years as the Director/Shareholder in charge of the audit and business valuation practices in the Columbus, Ohio office of Brady Ware. John’s experience includes 6 years in the corporate world including the finance department of Elmer’s Products, Inc. where he was responsible for the supply chain finance function including planning and analysis and supply chain strategy. While he was at Elmer’s, John had significant involvement in the internal analysis and due diligence that led to the sale of the Company by KKR. John has served clients in numerous industries including manufacturing, construction, distribution and transportation, retail, auto dealerships, restaurants, and healthcare.

John was actively involved in Columbus, Ohio serving on community boards and is looking forward to doing the same in Orlando.

×