Rachel S. Ellis, CPA, CISA, is the Owner of Ellis CPA, LLC, a full – service CPA firm based in Hyattsville Maryland. Named a 2025 and 2026 Forbes Best In-State CPA Firm, Rachel has over 12 years of experience in financial statement audits across multiple sectors, including Technology, GovCon and Non- Profit. Ms. Ellis has developed a deep understanding of accounting and finance through her experience as a manager in Big Four Public Accounting and now as an entrepreneur. As a MACPA Champion and member of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business Accounting Advisory Board, she stays at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in entrepreneurship. Ms. Ellis brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to help businesses successfully gain access to capital and scale.
Courtney Spanjers Dewey is a partnership leader with nearly thirty years of experience in business to business sales and partnerships. She has been a leader in the Human Capital Management Industry for over a decade and has a passion for supporting Accountants as they grow, scale and build their dreams. In spite of accolades in sales, leadership, and volunteerism, she doesn’t take herself too seriously and adds fun to whatever she does.
Joe Blossom is the Senior Director of Product at Justworks, where he leads the International product suite, including the Employer of Record (EOR) and Contractor services. Joe’s team builds the tools that help small businesses scale globally without the burden of local entities—an expansion he accelerated by leading the integration of Justworks’ second acquisition, Via, into Justworks’ core platform. Throughout his tenure, Joe has been a driving force in product strategy, also overseeing the integration of Time Tracking (formerly Boomr) to better serve the needs of businesses with hourly employees.
Prior to leading product at Justworks, Joe served as the Senior Product Manager of Payments at Etsy. There, he enabled buyers to pay, and sellers to get paid, in the way that was easiest for them, regardless of a payment’s geographical origin or destination.
Joe holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in both Economics and Computer Science from Michigan State University. He lives in Maplewood, NJ, with his wife, daughter, son, and dog.
Pete Wesch joined Smith Marion & Co. in 2006 and currently serves as a Shareholder and Tax Principal, as well as the firm’s Innovator on the leadership committee. An Enrolled Agent since 1994, he brings more than 30 years of experience in tax preparation, accounting, and consulting. Over his tenure with the firm, he has worked as both an auditor and a tax preparer, while also playing a key role in shaping the firm’s technology strategy.
Pete has consistently led innovation within the firm, helping to identify, adopt, and integrate new solutions that enhance efficiency, improve client service, and keep the firm at the forefront of industry advancements. His leadership of the firm’s tech committee and his long-standing involvement with CalCPA Technology Committee reflect his commitment to forward-thinking practices and continuous improvement.
His professional focus includes fiduciary, corporate, and complex partnership returns, along with management and business consulting. He works with a diverse range of clients, including non-profits, housing authorities, and for-profit businesses. Known for building strong, trusted relationships, Pete is passionate about educating clients and peers, sharing his depth of knowledge in a way that is both practical and approachable.
Georgia Smith is a Lead Product Manager in Research & Advisory at Wolters Kluwer, where she has spent 17 years shaping tax and advisory solutions that help firms make better, faster decisions. She brings 30 years of experience as a practicing tax professional, blending real‑world firm insight with product strategy focused on scalable advisory services and the responsible use of AI. Georgia holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and grounds her work in the voice of the customer, with a focus on trusted, explainable AI and embedded guidance that helps firms uncover opportunities, manage risk, and deliver consistent, high‑value advisory services.
Doug Dellinger is Vice President of M&A and Corporate Development at Prosperity Partners. He is responsible for accelerating growth by partnering with leading tax, accounting, and advisory firms nationwide.
He brings more than a decade of transaction experience, including investor roles at two private equity firms and M&A leadership positions at private equity-backed platforms in the healthcare and financial services industries.
Based in Prosperity’s Chicago office, Doug works closely with firm leaders across the country to build partnerships that enhance client service and create new opportunities for growth and team development. He graduated from Duke University and began his career in the consulting group of a Big Four firm.
Allen Stahl is the Strategic Director of Technology at Thomson Reuters, where he has worked for 15 years in various roles. He specializes in partnering with large accounting firms to create custom technology solutions using APIs and automation tools.
With over a decade of experience working with top accounting firms, Allen bridges the gap between customer needs and product development. He has initiated several successful programs, including the Strategic Executive Exchange and the AI Coalition, which have significantly improved customer engagement and industry collaboration.
Allen’s contributions to the tax and accounting field led to his recognition as a “20 Under 40” Influencer by CPA Practice Advisor from 2023-2026. In his current role, he continues to focus on large and strategic markets while incorporating more AI into automation strategies and exploring ways to leverage AI alongside Thomson Reuters’ Tax and accounting customers holistically.
Jim has been with TSS as a full service CPA for over two decades and serves as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer. He is responsible for providing accounting, tax, and consulting services to closely held companies, and not-for-profit organizations. He works extensively with automobile dealerships and related industry clients, manufacturing companies, independent school and other not-for-profit organizations, and more. He provides consulting on more complex issues including business succession strategies, buy/sell transactions, and estate planning. Jim is also responsible for the firm’s recruiting efforts. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Jim is the current treasurer of Zack’s Place – An Enrichment Center, a member of the advisory board for the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and former board Chair of Special Olympics Verm
Cora Vollmar is Senior Vice President of Growth at QX Accounting Services and U.S. Team Leader supporting the Earned engagement. She brings over 15 years of experience in finance, accounting, and professional services, including leadership roles at a leading global staffing firm.
Cora leads U.S. go‑to‑market strategy, strategic partnerships, client satisfaction and client growth initiatives across accounting, tax, audit, and advisory services.
She specializes in helping high‑growth firms scale profitably through governed offshore delivery models, technology‑enabled operations, and talent transformation aligned to long‑term growth objectives.