COOPER NORMAN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner
- ASSISTANT MANAGING PARTNER, INTEGRATOR
- ASSISTING MANAGING PARTNER, INTEGRATOR, CHAIR of FOOD and AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY
Blake Johnson is a Partner and for the past 10 years, he has worked on our Management team in various Leadership roles. Currently, Blake is serving as our Integrator and works closely with our Visionary to execute the Firms strategic goals. Blake is also our Assistant Managing Member and is a member of our Executive Committee.
Blake is passionate about helping others achieve their greatest potential because of his unique experience growing up with a Father who was an incredibly successful coach and teacher. Blake made a decision early in his professional career to coach like his dad, but to do it in the business world.
In his spare time, Blake enjoys spending time adventuring with his family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- PARTNER, DIRECTOR of CLIENT ADVISORY and ACCOUNTING SERVICES
Christy Stein is a Partner, and for the past 10 years has worked in various roles at Cooper Norman that have helped her become well rounded. She is currently the leader of our Client Accounting Services, which offer's full outsource accounting to our clients.
Christy believes in failing forward, and is passionate about embracing change, and continually improving processes, because she knows that when we are improving, we are creating opportunity.
In her spare time, Christy enjoys hiking and traveling with her family.
Job Titles:
- MANAGING PARTNER, VISIONARY, CHAIR of PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- Visionary and Managing Partner
Clint Tavenner is the Visionary and Managing Partner and for the past 9 years, he has worked on managing the Firm.
Clint is passionate about Cooper Norman and pushing the Firm in all areas to get better every day.
In his spare time, Clint enjoys his family, gardening, fishing, and hunting.
Clint's passion to improve, change, and create opportunities for others make him a great part of the Cooper Norman family. He also illustrates our core values, which helps him, inspire and uplift others.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- CVA, CFE
- PARTNER, DIRECTOR of GROWTH, CHAIR of MEDICAL INDUSTRY
- PARTNER, DIRECTOR of TAX
Dan Packard is a Partner and for the past several years has worked in various leadership and management roles. Currently, Dan serves as Cooper Norman's tax department lead. He also works actively with self-employed taxpayers in a variety of industries.
Dan is passionate about taxation and business valuations. He feels joy in helping clients resolve the uncertainty that surround taxes and transitioning a business. Dan particularly enjoys tax planning where clients can fully evaluate deductions, credits, and long-term strategies that will reduce tax liabilities.
Lance Fenton is a Partner in our Twin Falls office. Prior to joining the Cooper Norman team, Lance worked in the finance sector with Capital One. Lance has also worked in the manufacturing, construction, and agriculture industries.
Job Titles:
- PARTNER
- PARTNER, DIRECTOR of TAX
Nathan Riggs is a Partner at Cooper Norman and for the past 8 years, he has specialized in tax and tax planning for businesses and individuals. He worked a couple years for Deloitte in Salt Lake City before joining the Cooper Norman team.
Nathan is passionate about accounting and taxes because he loves to help people accomplish their goals, save money, and make strategic financial decisions.
In his spare time, Nathan loves spending time with his wife and 5 children. He also enjoys playing and watching all sports especially golf, basketball, football, pickleball, and soccer.
Nathan's optimistic personality and genuine concern for others makes him a great part of the Cooper Norman family. He also illustrates our core values, which helps him, inspire and uplift others.
Rachel Tokhi is a Principal in the Rexburg office and for the past 11 has been managing audits of manufacturing companies, government contractors, and retailers. She began her career in Salt Lake City with Ernst & Young, specializing in auditing public companies in various industries.
Rachel is passionate about helping her clients comply with regulations and standardize their processes and procedures because she loves to see her clients succeed and improve their financial performance to help them achieve their goals.
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys running, spending time outdoors, reading, traveling, spending time with her husband and four kids, and supporting them in their various activities.
Job Titles:
- CFO
- DIRECTOR of OPERATIONS
- PRINCIPAL
Job Titles:
- PARTNER
- CFE
- PARTNER, DIRECTOR of ASSURANCE SERVICES, CHAIR of MANUFACTURING and RETAIL INDUSTRY
Ryan Mathews, CPA, CFE, is a partner with Cooper Norman and is currently the firm's audit and assurance service line leader.
Ryan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and a Kolbe CertifiedTM Consultant. He has a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Brigham Young University - Idaho, and a Master of Accountancy degree from Gonzaga University. Ryan enjoys working with businesses and business owners and has experience with auditing and transactional due diligence, financial statement preparation, federal and state tax preparation, and forensic accounting. He has expertise in the agriculture, construction, healthcare, and government contracting industries. Ryan has previously served on the Idaho Society of CPAs board, including as chair from 2019-2020.
Ryan's biggest passion is his family, and he enjoys supporting them in their activities and coaching his children in various sports.
Ryan is grateful to be part of the Cooper Norman team as they are dedicated to their core values and committed to creating solutions for businesses and business owners they work with.
Ryan Patterson is a Principal and for the past 9 years, he has specialized in tax and tax planning for small businesses and individuals. He works with a lot of taxpayers in the medical industry.
Ryan is passionate about taxes because he enjoys helping others find ways to minimize their tax liabilities.
In his spare time, Ryan enjoys playing sports with his 4 children, camping and exploring nature, and working in the yard.
Scott Nielson is a Principal in our Idaho Falls office. Prior to joining the Cooper Norman team, Scott worked for a few years at Deloitte in Salt Lake City. For most of that time Scott was part of the international tax department helping multinational companies through the complexities of doing business in foreign markets.
Job Titles:
- PARTNER
- CVA
- PARTNER, CHAIR of CONSTRUCTION and REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY
Terri Gazdik is a Partner and for the past 30 years has worked to develop our Construction Industry Team as well as assisting our Accounting and Auditing Services Team. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Terri is a Certified Valuation Analyst and a member of our Executive Committee.
Terri is passionate about growing the Construction Industry niche for our Company through developing others, providing education, and being a resource for the firm and the community.
In her spare time, Terri is focused on wildlife photography and spending time with her family traveling to new places.
Tim Anderson is a partner and for the past 30 years, he has worked on income and estate tax strategies for businesses and the families that own them.
Tim is passionate about aggressive tax planning because taxes represent one of the largest expenses businesses regularly pay. His work directly translates to more profit to business owners.
In his spare time, Tim enjoys hiking with his wife and anything on two wheels.
His ability to listen makes him a great part of the Cooper Norman family. He also illustrates our core values, which helps inspire and uplift others.
Job Titles:
- PRINCIPAL
- MACC
- Principal and
Education/Degrees
Masters of Accountancy, May 2010, Montana State University
Certifications
Tommy Gwinn is a Principal and CPA in our Pocatello office. Prior to joining the Cooper Norman team, Tommy was with Eide Bailly 3 years.