BCS - Key Persons
Benjamin Buchanan, CPA is part of the Tax Department in the Kingsport office. He is a native of Bristol, VA and began full time employment with BCS in November 2015. He has over 23 years of accounting experience with 19 years in public practice, including, extensive experience in both audit and tax.
His areas of concentration include individual, fiduciary, C & S corporations, partnership and nonprofit accounting.
He is a graduate of King University with a degree in business and a concentration in accounting and a graduate of the Master of Accountancy program at the ETSU School of Graduate Studies. He is a licensed CPA in both Virginia and Tennessee. In addition, he is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs, an active member of the Appalachian Chapter of CPAs and past officer and president, and a member of the American Institute of CPAs.
Candace Meadows is a staff accountant in the Managed Accounting Services and Tax Departments. She began working at Blackburn, Childers & Steagall as an intern in January 2016 and became full-time in March 2016.
Candace graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in August 2013 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Milligan College with a Master of Business Administration in December 2018.
Candace resides in Erwin with her son, Porter. They enjoy spending time and laughing with family and friends, music, traveling, outdoor adventures and attending Porter's basketball and baseball games.
Chrissy Witherell joined BCS in January 2013 as a member of the administrative staff working in the Kingsport office. She graduated from ETSU in December 1995 and has over 20 years' experience in the administrative field.
Chrissy resides in Kingsport with her husband Sean, their children, and their two dogs. They are members of Cassidy United Methodist Church. Chrissy is a volunteer driver for K9 Pathways, an organization that provides cross-country transportation for shelter dogs traveling to new homes or rescues. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and making jewelry.
Jeff Blackburn started working at BCS in 1977 and has been a partner since 1979. Jeff is a Johnson City native and graduate of ETSU. Karen McMurray joined the firm in 1980. Also a graduate of ETSU, Karen became a partner in 1992. Tommy Greer joined the firm in 1994 and became managing partner of the firm in 1995. Our most recent partners include Melissa Steagall-Jones (2002), Wade Farmer (2003), Chad Kisner (2009), Kevin Peters (2009), Andy Hatfield (2012), Mike Eddy (2015), Kenny Benson (2019), Sarah Presnell (2022), and Tara Fenner (2023).
MeLissa Crockett is the HR Director for Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, PLC (BCS). She is directly responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of the Human Resources function of Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, PLC and Related Companies. MeLissa began working with BCS in September 1998 working in the Small Business Department primarily in Payroll and Accounts Payable. She received her Master's Certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University and graduated from Milligan College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude. MeLissa also attended East Tennessee State University for two years with a full music scholarship while taking core classes towards her Bachelor's Degree. She also has received a Certificate from Villanova University for mastering HR Organizational Effectiveness and Strategic Organizational Leadership.
MeLissa is a member of the National Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a member of the Human Resource Association of Northeast Tennessee (HRANET) and a past member of the National Omicron-Psi Honor Society at Milligan College. She served as Secretary for the Indian Trail Middle School PTSA Board for the 2008-09 school years. She is a graduate of the Leadership 2015 with the Johnson City Chamber and served on the Board for the Johnson City Kiwanis Club for the 2011-12 years; served as Treasurer for the Science Hill Cross Country Boosters 2013-14 year; Treasurer for Kingsport Volleyball Club 2013-14 year; a past Board Member for Dawn of Hope and past Treasurer for Appalachian Men's Ensemble (AMEn). MeLissa enjoys volunteering in the community and church.
MeLissa has a passion for music. Throughout her life she has had the opportunity to sing in All-East and All-State choirs in high school and had the privilege of singing the National Anthem at a New York Mets game. She met her husband, David, while singing with the ETSU Ten Bucs Worth in College. She has performed with the Jonesborough Repertoire Theatre in the 1940's USO Show in 2006 through 2008. Other hobbies include running, hiking, swimming and reading. MeLissa and her family are members of Central Church of Christ in Johnson City, TN.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager of the Managed Accounting Services
Sheila Emory, CPA, is the senior manager of the Managed Accounting Services Department. Prior to joining Blackburn, Childers, and Steagall, PLC, she was the managing partner of a local accounting firm that merged with BCS in December, 2004. She began her accounting career in 1985 with Pugh & Company, P.C. Sheila has over 25 years experience in providing accounting, auditing, and tax related services to individuals and a variety of businesses including restaurants, automobile dealerships, retailers, financial institutions and manufacturing companies.
Sheila is a member of the AICPA and the TSCPA.
Sheila resides in the Gray community with her husband, Wade. They are members of Celebration Church, and they enjoy traveling, SEC football and spending time with family and friends.
Tyler Williams, CPA joined BCS as an intern in September 2011, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from ETSU with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting in December 2011 and a Masters of Accountancy in May 2013. He was hired full time in the Audit Department in July 2012. He passed the CPA exam in March 2014.
In his spare time he enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with his family. He is also the Sunday School Superintendent at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist in Elizabethton.