Meet the Team

Partners

Andy Lane

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

ax services. His experience includes defending R&D tax credit audits at both the federal and state levels, and he regularly presents to CPAs on IRS requirements related to the R&D tax credit, 179D deductions and cost segregation. Prior to founding Tri-Merit, Andy spent over 13 years directly involved in various engineering and manufacturing roles within a broad range of companies and industries including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Delphi, Intel and more. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University).

Industry Specializations: automotive, manufacturing, software development, technology, engineering services

Fun Fact: Andy’s first start-up business after college was manufacturing custom snowboards in Government Camp on Mount Hood in Oregon.

Randy Crabtree

Co-Founder, Partner

Randy Crabtree, co-founder and partner of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals, is a widely followed author, lecturer and podcast host for the accounting profession.

Since 2019, he has hosted the bi-weekly “The Unique CPA,” podcast, which ranks among the world’s 10% most popular programs (Source: Listen Score). You can find articles from Randy in Accounting Today’s Voices column, the AICPA Tax Adviser and he is a regular presenter at conferences and virtual training events hosted by CPAmerica, Prime Global, Leading Edge Alliance (LEA), Allinial Global and several state CPA societies. Crabtree also provides continuing professional education to top 100 CPA firms across the country.

Schaumburg, Illinois-based Tri-Merit is a niche professional services firm that specializes in helping CPAs and their clients benefit from tax credits and incentives including R&D tax credits, cost segregation, energy efficient incentives (179D and 45L), and the employee retention credit (ERC).

Prior to joining Tri-Merit, Crabtree was managing partner of a CPA firm in the greater Chicago area. He has more than 30 years of public accounting and tax consulting experience in a wide variety of industries and has worked closely with top executives to help them optimize their tax planning strategies.

Patrick Kennedy

Partner

Patrick serves as Vice President and Partner of Tri-Merit.

With nearly three decades of experience, his consultation and problem-solving acumen have supported clients in the automotive, aerospace and defense, energy, information technology services, oil and gas, telecommunications, computers and semiconductor industries. He has also served in a leadership capacity in support of manufacturers and CPA firms.

Prior to joining us in 2009, Patrick owned several highly successful businesses, and his career has included experience with mid-sized businesses up to Fortune 500 companies.

Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Minnesota State University – Mankato.

Industry Specializations: automotive, aerospace and defense, energy, information technology services, oil and gas, telecommunications, computers, semiconductors, manufacturing.

Phil Williams

Partner

Since joining Tri-Merit in 2011, Phil has worked with more than 350 companies in identifying, calculating, documenting and defending R&D credits at both the federal and state levels. Since being promoted to partner in 2018, his primary responsibilities include project management, as well as leadership of the engineering and audit defense/tax controversy teams.

Prior to joining Tri-Merit, Phil spent five years with Tier-1 and Tier-2 automotive suppliers working as a manufacturing engineer and controls engineer, and an additional seven years as an associate attorney with a mid-sized law firm out of Detroit.

Phil holds a Juris Doctor specializing in Intellectual Property and Communications Law from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. He is a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan.

Phil serves on the Board of Directors of Techtrades, Inc., which is a Cleveland, Ohio-based nonprofit focused on exposing high school students from diverse backgrounds to skilled trades and manufacturing-based jobs at an early age.

Fun Fact: In his free time, Phil enjoys golf, Michigan State football and basketball, and spending time coaching his two sons’ youth sports teams.

Chris Bird

Partner

Chris is a Partner based out of the firm’s Grand Rapids, Michigan office. His responsibilities include business development, field investigation, and credit substantiation for R&D credits claimed by the clients with whom he works.

Chris has helped his clients recover nearly $50 million in federal tax dollars by taking advantage of the R&D tax credit.

When Chris joined Tri-Merit in 2011, he brought 14 years of experience from some of the best-known companies in the HVAC/R industry. His previous experience includes roles in engineering, manufacturing, sales, product management, and procurement. He also spent time in business development with responsibility for a global product line. This experience has positioned him well to assist his clients in finding and maximizing engineering-based tax credits.

Chris obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2004.

Industry Specializations: HVAC/R, manufacturing, industrial connectors, plastic injections molders, display companies, software development, breweries/distilleries

Fun Fact: Chris hopes to circumnavigate the eastern half of the U.S. by boat via “The Great Loop” in the near future.

Nicholas Pantaleo

CFO/Partner

In 2012, Nick started his specialty tax services career when he began working for Tri-Merit in a bookkeeping role. This grassroots experience prepared him for his future growth within the company, and Nick now oversees all financial and human resource operations for Tri-Merit.

Nick has dual bachelor’s degrees in business & economics and exercise science from North Park University. He earned his CPA certification in 2018.

Nick and his wife Kendra are enjoying being new parents to their daughter Raegan. In their free time they, love watching sports, going on bike rides and volunteering at a local dog shelter.

Fun Fact: Nick was introduced to Tri-Merit co-founder, Randy Crabtree, when he was working at a local gym as the personal trainer to Randy’s son.

Jaramia Becker

Partner

Jaramia is a Partner based out of Tri-Merit’s Ann Arbor, Michigan office. He functions as a Managing Director and the Team Lead of Tri-Merit’s Mid-West Team.
Jaramia has been with Tri-Merit since 2008 and brings over 11 years of engineering and manufacturing experience covering a broad range of industries. He was promoted to Partner in 2022.

Prior to joining Tri-Merit, Jaramia worked with Ventura Manufacturing as a Lean Engineer focusing on lean business and manufacturing management and with GKN Automotive Driveline as an Application Engineer focusing on driveline design application and cradle-to-grave project management in product development. Jaramia has also held various lead engineering, technical sales and business management positions in automotive, machine tool and retail industries. Jaramia graduated in 1999 from General Motors Institute of Technology (Now Kettering University) with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Jaramia serves on the Board of Directors St. Clair Little League aiding 600+ players and coaches to have fun and gain a love for softball and baseball. Industry Specializations: Manufacturing systems development and improvement, CNC machine processes, automotive component design and engineering

Fun Fact: Jaramia is married to his college sweetheart and used to race motorcycles, with pro licenses in both dirt track and road course racing.

Sales

Barry Devine

RETC Product Manager

Barry has spent more than 15 years advising clients on research and development (R&D) tax credit incentives. He has helped hundreds of companies successfully claim R&D tax credits and has saved taxpayers millions of dollars in federal and state research credits. He has extensive experience with building credits and incentives practices and his roles have included project management, developing project processes and deliverables, audit representation, software development and most recently, business development activities. Barry has experience in many industry sectors such as architecture and engineering, manufacturing, computer science and defense contractors.

Barry holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans in psychology and marketing and an MBA in operations management/project management from Regis University in Denver, CO.
Fun Fact: Outside of work Barry spends his time enjoying the Colorado Mountains: Skiing, hiking, fishing and spending time with his wife and two kids.

Danny Anderson

Inside Sales Manager

Bio coming soon

Rob Kling

Regional Business Development Director

Rob is a Regional Director with Tri-Merit based in Atlanta, GA. Rob is focused on bringing tax credit solutions to Georgia companies and CPA firms. Previously, Rob was a partner and co-founder of a tax specialty firm based in the Southeast. He has more than 15 years’ experience in helping companies realize tax savings through the R&D tax credit and the energy efficient commercial building credit (179D). Rob is a member of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance and is frequently involved in their networking events.

Fun Fact: Rob is a big golf fan and has attended The Masters along with other events in Atlanta. In his free time, he likes to travel and spend time with family.

Charlie Richardson

Regional Business Development Director

Charlie is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in technology and finance.

As a Regional Business Development Director, he is passionate about working with companies to help them benefit from the R&D tax credit. From Northern Virginia and based in Tysons Corner, Charlie works with local as well as national CPA firms and clients. Charlie has a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech and over 20 years of technical consulting experience.

Fun Fact: In his free time, Charlie enjoys boating on the Potomac, sailing the Chesapeake Bay and visiting Atlantic coast beaches.

John Kapral

Regional Business Development Director

John works as Senior Director – Renewable Energy Incentives & Credits in Northern California for Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Consultants. John has many years of professional client advisory experience including his work in specialty tax incentives & credits since 2006. Prior to his work with Tri-Merit John served 5 years as Principal for national CPA firm CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), leading their Western Region Federal Tax Incentives & Credits Group in Northern California. Currently John is leading Tri-Merit’s renewable energy tax credits & incentives service line, building on 20 years of professional and personal interests in clean electrification and renewable energy. John previously practiced as a corporate and tax attorney specializing in e-commerce businesses, and as a technology commercialization consultant to Los Alamos National Laboratory through a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and the US Dep’t. of Energy. John is a CPA in CA and CO, an Attorney licensed in MA, and has his LLM in Taxation from Boston University, JD from Villanova Law School, and BS in Accounting from Bentley University.

Leslie Osborne

Business Development Representative

Leslie is a Business Development Representative based in Colorado. She has over ten years of consulting experience and two years of experience in guiding businesses toward the benefits of the R&D tax credit.

Leslie consults a diverse array of businesses including architecture and engineering, aerospace and defense, software development, and manufacturing.

Fun Fact: Leslie loves to spend time outdoors in Colorado majesty, reading, and playing her fiddle.

Adam Ellis

Inside Sales Representative

Bio coming soon

Marketing

Mark Reese

Marketing Director

Bio coming soon

Chelsy Logan

Marketing Specialist

Chelsy joined Tri-Merit at the end of 2021 to bring her analytical skills to the marketing department as a Marketing Specialist. She began her career in accounting but found her passion for marketing while completing her BS in Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University.

Before joining Tri-Merit, Chelsy was a Marketing Communications Specialist at Fourlane. Her knowledge of the financial services industry is a great asset to our team.

Fun Fact: Chelsy, her husband, and two kids were a military family for 12 years. While originally from Houston, TX, they’ve had the opportunity to move to Virginia Beach, Fort Worth, and New Orleans!

Krystal Joiner

Marketing Associate

Krystal joined Tri-Merit in 2022 to bring her design and social media know-how to the marketing department as a Marketing Associate. She graduated with a degree in fashion design from Baylor University and worked in the industry for years as a fashion designer. Throughout her career, she gained valuable knowledge of creative design, social media, email marketing, and website management, leading her to graphic design. Before TM, she was a graphic designer for Balfour. Her knowledge of the design process and the value of online presence is a great asset to the team and will help TM significantly impact a bigger audience. Fun Fact: Krystal is a professional model and has been modeling since 2018. She models locally and has travelled to NYC several times for modeling. She’s been in projects such as Splenda, Sally’s Beauty, and even Toyota.

Hailey Kretschmer

Marketing Assistant

Based in Chicagoland, Illinois, Hailey is an administrative assistant for Tri-Merit. Previous to joining the company, Hailey gained valuable experience in time-management and organization by earning her Bachelors degree one year after graduating from high school, follwed by working retail for a few months. Hailey also learned aspects of business by operating her own handmade products company for a number of years, where she made and sold crocheted stuffed animals, apparel, and gifts. In her free time, Hailey enjoys learning Spanish and Arabic, crafting, playing with her dog, and spending time with her fiancé. Fun Fact: Hailey has lived in four different states so far: South Carolina, North Carolina, Colorado, and Illinois. She loves traveling and exploring new places.

Operations

Kristina Burns

Director of Internal Systems

Kristina joined the Tri-Merit team in September 2020, while also pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. She supports business development through managing and organizing data, files, and company events. She also assists in overseeing cost segregation services.

Prior to joining Tri-merit, she managed a pet boarding and daycare business in the northern suburbs of Chicago.

Fun Fact: Kristina has a full house as she lives with her four cats, one dog, and husband Eric.

Yessi Ferrer

HR Manager

Coming Soon

Kim Bramlett

Accounts Receivable Manager

Kim is the Accounts Receivable Manager based out of Tri-Merit’s Schaumburg, Illinois office. She joined the Tri-Merit team in June of 2021 after 9 years of accounting work within the commercial real estate industry. She brings to the team an eagerness for accurate and timely processing of financial transactions and is determined to help foster strong relationships with Tri-Merit Clients.

Kim graduated from The Illinois Institute of Art in December of 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. She now resides in the northwest suburbs with her husband and their three young children.

Fun Fact: In her free time, Kim enjoys reading, attempting to sing karaoke, and spending quality time with her family.

Morgan Kirk

Administrative Assistant

Morgan joined Tri-Merit in Spring of 2022. She supports many of the administrative functions. Prior to Tri-Merit, she was in the cannabis industry.
Fun Fact: She became a mom in early 2022!

Jen Shiflet

Accounting Associate

Project Team

Harkrishan Sahi

Managing Director - Cost Segregation & Fixed Asset Services

Harkrishan Sahi (Harry) is a Managing Director specializing in Cost Segregation / Fixed Asset services overseeing and reviewing studies Nationally. With over a decade of experience conducting Cost Segregation studies ranging from auto manufacturing plants, hotels, heavy manufacturing industrial facilities, expansive offices, and residential complexes. He is responsible for national operations, training staff engineers, pursuing business development efforts, including direct client interaction by issuing proposals, providing presentations on continued education, and representing clients in an IRS audit. He is a certified member of the American Society of Cost Segregation Professionals and a published author on Accounting Today. Harry graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering, emphasizing Construction and Transportation. He is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (Honorary Society). Industry Specializations: Cost Segregation and Fixed Asset Services Fun Fact: Harkrishan enjoys spending his time volunteering at the local Sikh temple and hiking.

Haley Collier

Senior Director

Haley began her project management career brokering logistics for industries such as manufacturing and construction in the Houston area. In 2018, she took her industry experience and transitioned into tax consulting where she worked with clients to identify and calculate federal and state R&D tax credits. In 2019, Haley joined Tri-Merit’s project management where she specializes in helping architecture, engineering, and construction companies all over the country find tax savings via the R&D tax credit. Haley graduated from Texas A&M University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Fun Fact: Born and raised in Houston, TX, Haley brings a southern twang to the big city of Chicago. When she isn’t calculating R&D credits, Haley likes to play intramural sports like flag football, volleyball, and soccer.

Jessica LaConde

Associate Director

Jess is an Associate Director in the Los Angeles, California area and brings with her a year and a half of R&D credit project management experience. She has a BS in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. Jess takes pride in her work and enjoys working with people who are passionate about what they do. Fun fact: Jess enjoys spending time with her family and friends and has a passion for traveling to see and experience new places along with their culture and cuisine.

Brett Barton

Senior Director

Brett is a Director based out of Tri-Merit’s Schaumburg, Illinois office. He is responsible for full life cycle client engagements, including opportunity identification, qualification analysis, quantification and implementation procedures and documentation recommendations. Brett brings over 9 years of professional accounting experience to Tri-Merit, covering a diverse range of industries including high- and low-tech manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and software development. Prior to joining Tri-Merit, Brett worked at RSM as a R&D Tax Credit Specialist. Brett has also held a position at global food manufacturer Kerry, leading the credits and incentives initiatives which included the R&D tax credit. Brett is a Certified Public Accountant holding a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Illinois State University. Industry Specializations: High- and low-tech manufacturing, food and beverage processing, software development Fun Fact: Things Brett likes but most people hate: yard work on weekends and building Ikea furniture.

Eric Mueller

Associate Director

Tom Taschner

Senior Director

Tom Taschner is a Director operating out of the Schaumburg, Illinois office. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2015 with a background in business, data analytics, and operational efficiencies, Tom spent two years in the client service industry before transitioning to focus on R&D tax credits. Now, with nearly half a decade’s experience under his belt, Tom’s understanding of the credit and its application across various industries enables him to aid businesses of all kinds in identifying and claiming the R&D tax credit. Tom’s driving motivation stems from a passion for anticipatory service coupled with the firm belief that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. In his own words, “There are few things more rewarding than being in the business of keeping small businesses strong, especially in today’s global economy.” Fun Fact: When he’s not at the office, Tom is most likely to be found at the golf course unless he’s chasing an adrenaline rush down a mountain. If you find him sitting still for a moment, he’s either enjoying a novel or working on one of his own.

Collin Wells

Senior Director

Collin joined the Tri-Merit team in 2019 as an associate project manager. Now, a director in Tri-Merit’s southeastern region, Collin helps clients within the engineering, procurement and construction industries to identify, calculate and substantiate their R&D tax credit claims. Collin works with clients ranging from small, family-owned businesses to larger multi-national companies. Collin graduated from The University of Alabama in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Fun Fact: Away from completing R&D studies, Collin enjoys spending his free time at Alabama football games and traveling across the country.

Pat Brazee

Director

Pat is an Associate Director in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area and brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the Information Technology field. His career has included various IT analyst, project management, and leadership roles within the manufacturing industry. Pat’s diverse technology background and passion for service will have a great impact on his ability to support our software development and tech clients while we work together to realize their R&D credit needs. Pat has a bachelor’s in computer information systems from Ferris State. Fun fact: Pat enjoys the outdoors, mountain biking, boating, and camping with his family. He also spends some of his spare time gaming and writing music.

Chase Covert

Data Analyst

Originally from Southwest Michigan, Chase joins Tri-Merit as a Data Analyst with a background in data analysis and informatics. Chase’s talents have led to him pursuing a degree in accounting.

David Shereda

Senior Director

Dave is our 45L director and brings more than 18 years of experience in engineering and manufacturing to Tri-Merit and its clients. As an engineering co-op early in his career, Dave had the opportunity to work in a large automotive stamping plant, which cemented his interest in manufacturing. He has spent the majority of his career focusing on progressively advancing the culture of the companies he’s worked for and improving manufacturing operations across a variety of industries. Dave holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Kettering University in Manufacturing Systems Engineering, as well as possesses his HERS rater certification. Dave joined Tri-Merit in 2019 and is taking great pleasure in helping his clients grow their businesses. Industry Specializations: Manufacturing experience in automotive, metals (aluminum) and building products industries; process improvement; lean manufacturing; energy efficient residential construction. Fun Fact: Outside of work, if he can successfully avoid his responsibilities of raising three small children, Dave enjoys home improvements projects, golfing and hopelessly following Detroit’s professional sports teams

Christy Williams

Team Coordinator

Christy has worked as a Team Coordinator at Tri-Merit since 2018, managing workflow for R&D credit projects as well as assisting with cost segregation and sales. Prior to joining Tri-Merit, Christy spent eight years coordinating contractors in the home rehabilitation and REO property management industries. She was manager of one of the largest renovation companies in West Michigan. Christy also possess experience in the financial services industry. Fun Fact: In her free time, Christy enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with her family, including her sons Jimmy and Grant.

Lindsay Schuster

Senior Director

Lindsay is a Director based out of Minneapolis, MN. She is a Certified Public Accountant, holding a master’s degree in Accounting, with an emphasis in taxation, and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, both from the University of Wisconsin – Madison (Go Badgers!). Lindsay is responsible for the execution of full life cycle client engagements, including leading field study meetings and interviews, expense and credit modeling, and technical report writing. Prior to joining Tri-Merit in 2021, Lindsay worked at KPMG as a Tax Manager in the Accounting Methods & Credits group. She brings over 8 years of public accounting experience to the team. Lindsay specializes in the Research and Development tax credit, the Employee Retention Credit, and various other tax incentives. Industry Specializations: Industrial Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, Alternative Fuels, and Medical Devices Fun Fact: In her free time, Lindsay enjoys golfing, cooking, and being regularly disappointed by Minnesota sports teams.

Everett Magbanua

Senior Director

Everett is a Senior Director based in Las Vegas, NV and specializes in the R&D Tax Credit. He has over 9 years of experience in public accounting and consulting from Big 4, mid-tier, and boutique firms. He has provided tax credit services, tax accounting, and tax compliance to clients that range from large public companies to start-ups in industries such as aerospace, architecture, banking, consumer goods, electronics, engineering, entertainment, insurance, natural resources, pharmaceuticals, and utilities. Everett has a Bachelor’s of Science of Accountancy from California State University, Northridge. Fun Fact: Everett enjoys spending time with his wife, 3 kids, a dog, and 2 cats, and enjoys being outdoors.

John Mishler

ERC Project Manager

Bio coming soon

Jon Segraves

Senior Director

Jon is a Director located in Houston, Texas. He specializes in the calculation, documentation and defense of specialty tax credits for Tri-Merit’s clients around the country. Jon assists clients with every step of the engagement life-cycle including the initial identification of potential opportunities, discussing activities with client subject matter experts and reviewing documentation to ensure eligibility, determining methods to quantify eligible expenses, and the preparation of reports to substantiate credits claimed, along with post-filing audit defense as needed. Prior to focusing on specialty tax credits, Jon specialized in state income/franchise tax, helping clients in a variety of industries with identifying and implementing tax savings opportunities and assisting with audit defense and appeals. Jon is a licensed attorney and Enrolled Agent. Industry Specializations: software development, manufacturing, MEP systems design, medical devices and services, logistics Fun Fact: In his spare time, Jon enjoys spending time with family and reading. His favorite authors include Michael Crichton, James Ellroy and Harlan Coben.

Marlon Stepp

Director - Energy Incentives, LEED GA, CEM

Marlon is our 179D director based in Houston, TX. With over 10 years of experience in Architecture and Energy Engineering, he is passionate about helping designers and building owners achieve the maximum deduction for their energy efficiency buildings. Marlon has modeled and delivered each type of eligible building and system under 179D with deductions ranging from $5k to well over a million. Marlon holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern University A&M in Architecture with a minor in Business Management, as well as possessing his Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification. He is constantly sharpening his craft and education to provide the best quality and service to our clients. Fun Fact: In his spare time Marlon enjoys helping lead his family-owned remodeling business as well as community service projects. When he isn’t working on deductions and remodeling projects you can probably find Marlon spending time with family in Louisiana or somewhere traveling the world hiking, fishing, or just relaxing on a beach.

Will Starbird

Associate Director

Bio coming soon.

Taylor Strobl

Team Coordinator

Bio coming soon.

Brooke Fielder

Associate Director

Bio Coming Soon

Meet the Team

Partners

Sales

Marketing

Operations

Project Team

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