Duc is a member of DTA’s business services team that supports our business clients and owners with tax and accounting services. He has experience with complex business tax returns and individual tax returns. Duc is a recent graduate from University of Washington and is currently pursuing his EA credential.
Justin Shelman is a Tax Partner and leads Prosperity Partners’ High Net Worth & Family Office tax group. As a firm leader and team mentor, he implements the company’s strategic goals and develops the next generation of leaders. Justin began his career in St. Louis after graduating from Kentucky Wesleyan College and currently practices in Prosperity’s Chicago headquarters. He has a Masters of Science in Taxation from DePaul University.
Justin advises his clients on a range of tax planning and structuring opportunities. Focused on high earners and affluent families, Justin uses his deep knowledge of federal and state tax law to provide multi-generational income and estate planning, state residency analysis and tax preparation services for families and their sophisticated entity structures. Notably, Justin is proactive, connects with his clients and their teams and is accessible.
Justin actively participates in the IL CPA Society’s State and Local Taxation committee, speaking regularly on emerging technical issues. He enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, golfing and indulging in a nice bottle of red wine with friends and family.
EXPERTISE: Ultra-high Net Worth Tax Planning, Family Office Structuring and Tax Compliance, Estate Planning, State & Local Taxation, Flow-through Taxation, Aircraft Tax Planning
Ben Harrison is the Founder of DealCloud and has served as President of Financial Services at Intapp since 2018. Prior to its acquisition by Intapp, Harrison served as DealCloud’s President and CEO and Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to founding DealCloud, he worked for Falfurrias Capital Partners, a Charlotte-based private equity firm, and in mergers and acquisitions advisory with Harris Williams & Co. and Edgeview Partners. Harrison received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was awarded the William M. Rawls scholarship.
Daniel James Applegate is an entrepreneur at heart and the co-founder of Alan & James Partners. With a deep respect for founder-led businesses – shaped by his experience growing up around closely held and family-owned companies, as well as his background in investing and consulting – Dan brings a hands-on and partnership-driven approach.
Before co-founding AJP, Dan spent nearly a decade at PwC, where he became a Director in the Deals practice. In this role, he advised on more than 100 transactions, including buy-and-build and consolidation strategies. Beyond M&A, he has worked closely with companies to streamline operations, modernize business processes, and drive digital transformation.
Dan earned his degree in accounting and finance from the University of Oregon, graduating magna cum laude. He enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors. He is also an active Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, reflecting his deep roots in the Southern California community.
Sharrin Fuller is a powerhouse entrepreneur, business strategist, author, and the brains behind Glass Wallet Ventures. She is the author of Unfollow the Rules: The Messy Truth of Burnout, Bad Decisions, and Building Again (Until It Worked), her raw and practical guide to scaling smart, leading loud, and living fully.
She has built and sold two full-service accounting firms for 7-figure exits, all while running three companies in just three days a week. She is also an advisor to fintech startups and an active board member, known for helping leaders cut through chaos and build companies designed to thrive.
Sharrin is the creator of The Clone and Conquer Method™, From Start-Up 2 Seven Figures™, and the Remote Team Roadmap™, frameworks that teach entrepreneurs how to delegate, scale efficiently, and build remote-first businesses that grow without burning out.
With nearly two decades of experience since 2006, Sharrin has been recognized as a 3-time Intuit ProAdvisor Top 100 and was named a Top 10 ProAdvisor in 2025. Her no-fluff, real-world strategies empower leaders to streamline operations, boost profitability, and design a business and life that works.
Whether she’s coaching entrepreneurs, advising fintech founders, or writing her next big idea, Sharrin is the go-to expert for service-based business owners ready to scale on their own terms.
Pat Morrell is the GM of Tax & Practice and co-founder of Aiwyn, a technology platform that delivers everything modern accounting firms need in one unified ecosystem.Having helped build Aiwyn from the ground up alongside the accounting profession, Pat brings firsthand perspective on what it takes to drive meaningful technology adoption within firms of all sizes. He is passionate about helping firm leaders move beyond the buzz of AI toward practical, measurable change.
Tim Cook is the CEO and president of KSM (Katz, Sapper & Miller). Tim leads a six-person management team that sets and oversees the strategic vision of the firm, helping KSM provide best-in-class client service, transformative technology, and proactive consultation.
Prior to his role as CEO and president, Tim oversaw the growth of two highly successful practices within the firm – the State & Local Tax Group and KSM Location Advisors, a national site selection and incentives practice. Tim serves as an advisory partner with KSM Location Advisors, where he works closely with companies across the country during the site selection process, assisting with identifying available sites, providing comparative analysis of qualified locations, and assisting in negotiating and securing economic development programs.
Tim’s experience also includes advising clients on multistate taxes, unclaimed property, and controversy services. Additionally, he has assisted companies with complex business restructurings, negotiating settlements at both the audit and appeals level, and other tax advocacy services.
Tim has worked with several Fortune 1000 companies, as well as companies in nearly all major industries, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, high-tech, insurance, financial services, retail, warehouse and distribution, healthcare, energy, environmental services, entertainment, and transportation.
Previously, Tim spent seven years at Ernst & Young as the Indiana leader of business incentives and controversy services as well as area leader of unclaimed property services. Prior to that, he worked at the Indiana Department of Revenue where he last served as legal counsel on policy and legislation.
Tim received a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Indiana University School of Law.
Sue Watson believes that the heart of a thriving accounting firm is its culture—one where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow together. As Chief Operating Officer and Partner at LevitZacks, Sue leads with a people-centered approach, aligning firm strategy with a genuine commitment to employee well-being and high performance.
With decades of experience spanning strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, technology, administration, financial and risk management, and human resources, Sue has guided LevitZacks through continuous evolution and growth. In March of 2024, LevitZacks aligned with Ascend becoming an early platform firm—further strengthening its capabilities and future vision. Under her leadership, the firm has earned the #1 spot on Accounting Today’s “Best Firms to Work For” list in the United States three years running and has ranked high on that list for thirteen years, a testament to both her vision and the firm’s exceptional culture. LevitZacks’ employee turnover remains significantly below industry averages—a direct result of the intentional, family-like environment LevitZacks cultivates every day.
Sue’s operational expertise is matched by her passion for building workplaces where people feel empowered to do their best work. She understands the realities of the accounting world—tax seasons, change management, and rapid industry shifts—and is committed to ensuring her team thrives amid it all. Her focus on transparency, trust, and continuous learning has established LevitZacks as a magnet for top talent and a model for retention in the profession.
Sue holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of San Diego and a Designation of Associate in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute of America. She is a member of the CPA Firm Management Association, is a past President of the San Diego Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, a past President of the Taxicab, Livery and Paratransit Association of California, and past Chairman of the Board of several local non-profit organizations.
Since joining LevitZacks as COO in 2007, after several years as a consultant, she has never lost sight of her core belief: when you invest in people, success follows—for teams, for clients, and for the industry as a whole.
Nishaad Ruparel brings a blend of experience in investment banking, private equity, and a deep commitment to partnership-driven growth to his role as President at Ascend. With a BS in Finance and International Business from NYU and an MBA from Stanford, Nishaad has held positions at J.P. Morgan, AEA Investors, and Alpine Investors. Guided by Ascend’s value, “Win Together,” he focuses on fostering collaboration and ambitious goals. Originally from New Jersey, he now enjoys life in Northern California with his wife, exploring the outdoors and new adventures.
Ed Kless believes entrepreneurs continue the work of creation and that business exists to promote human flourishing. To advance this vision, he cofounded THRESHOLD, where he guides professional leaders and teams through encapsulating transformations. Previously, Ed served as Sage’s senior director of partner development and strategy, hosted the Sage Thought Leadership Podcast, and designed curricula for Sage Partners and Customers. He also co-hosts The Soul of Enterprise with Ron Baker, his friend and fellow THRESHOLD co-founder.