DARNALL SIKES & FREDERICK - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Ben has worked with a variety of clients including individuals, small businesses, and corporations. His clients range in industries, including oil and gas, health care, law, construction, real estate, and insurance to name a few. Ben takes pride in working closely with his clients to give them peace of mind and act as a guide to better grow their businesses. Ben is a 2011 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Since joining the firm in 2011, Ben has excelled with client relations and leadership. He currently serves as a member of the Firm's Tax and Leadership Committee. Ben is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. He has served as the President and Treasurer for the Beaver Club of Lafayette (a non-profit civic club) and also volunteers his time with the UL-Lafayette Alumni Association.

Bennett joined Darnall, Sikes & Frederick in 2013, and currently serves as a member of the firm's Audit Process Committee. As a Certified Public Accountant, Bennett's practice is focused primarily on financial statement audits and employee benefit plan audits, as well as reviews, compilations and small business consulting. Bennett also has experience in the areas of individual and business taxation and tax planning. Before joining the firm, Bennett graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in December 2012, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He became licensed as a CPA soon after. Bennett is a member of both the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Bennett prides himself on helping his clients to better understand their financial statements to achieve and exceed their financial goals.

Brandon joined Darnall, Sikes & Frederick in 2009, and currently serves as a member of the firm's Audit Committee. As a Certified Public Accountant, Brandon's practice is focused primarily on financial statement audits, reviews, and compilations, as well as small business consulting and forensic accounting engagements. Brandon also has extensive experience in the areas of individual and business taxation and tax planning. Before joining the firm, Brandon graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in May 2009, with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Accounting and Finance. He became licensed as a CPA in June 2010. Brandon is a member of both the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Brandon prides himself on helping his clients to better understand their financial statements and assisting them in using that knowledge to achieve and exceed their financial goals.

Christie Dunn joined the firm in 2023. She brings a wealth of experience to the table with a 30+ year career predominantly focused on auditing diverse entities such as for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, and governmental bodies. Her expertise is centered around financial audits, reviews, and compilations, spanning these sectors. Additionally, she specializes in governmental, and small business consulting and management advisory services, with a drive to equip clients with insights and techniques essential for their ongoing success. A proud graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1991, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Christie has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant since 1993. She holds memberships with prestigious organizations including the AICPA and the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants. Her active involvement encompasses various CPA committees, notably those focused on governmental and not-for-profit accounting and auditing. Currently, Christie contributes to the LCPA Ethics Committee and previously served on the LCPA Peer Review Committee. She even took the helm as President of the Board of the Acadiana Chapter of the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants. Christie's engagement extends beyond the professional realm, as she volunteers with several local nonprofits in the Acadiana area. Christie's dedication shines through in her commitment to help clients attain their objectives, offering tailored guidance and strategies. Renowned for her exceptional client care, she consistently goes the extra mile to provide timely and personalized attention.

Christy joined Darnall, Sikes, & Frederick in 2004, and has more than 20 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant. Her experience includes extensive tax planning and preparation for both business and individuals. She is also experienced in succession consulting, planning and preparation for estates, trusts, and gifts. She is passionate about providing her client with personalized service and helping to simplify her client's accounting needs. Christy graduated from Mississippi State University where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy in 1994, and summa cum laude with a Master of Professional Accountancy in 1996. She became a Certified Public Accountant in 1998 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana Society of CPA's.

Claire joined Darnall, Sikes & Frederick in 2013 where she specializes in individual and business taxation, accounting services, and business consultation. She works with clients in numerous areas, including oil and gas field services, medical corporations, and retail businesses. Claire is also experienced in working with not-for-profit organizations. Claire graduated from Nicholls State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She continued on at Nicholls to earn her Master of Business Administration the following year. In 2016 Claire earned her CPA certification and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. Claire is currently serving on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. She was honored for her service by being named Louisiana Volunteer of the Year in 2022. Claire enjoys getting to know her clients so that she can work effectively alongside them. Her goal is to provide each client with personalized services designed to answer their own unique individual and business needs.

A sharp, results-oriented outlook on his clients' personal finance and business needs characterizes Clay's core values as a shareholder with Darnall, Sikes & Frederick. In addition to being a senior shareholder with the firm, Clay also serves on the Firm's Executive Committee and is the Chairman of the Management Advisory Committee. Clay specializes in income taxation and business consulting. Since graduating from University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1981, Clay has developed a broad base of clients. He is a member of the AICPA, the LCPA and also a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) with the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, a designation that indicates a high level of expertise and experience in business valuation, which he has used to serve clients in industries ranging from retail to chemical distributors. Clay possesses the kind of in-depth knowledge needed to provide his clients with the very best financial advice. He has passed the FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 exams and is a registered representative of Avantax Investment Services SM.

In addition to being the managing partner of the Eunice office of Darnall, Sikes & Frederick, Danny also serves on the firm's Financial Services Committee and the Auditing Committee. Danny possesses extensive experience in estate planning, audits, financial services, and money management. Since earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette), he has spent over 30 years helping his clients in realizing their business and personal finance goals. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (SLCPA.) He has passed the FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 exams and is a registered representative of Avantax Investment Services SM. Danny focuses on creating robust, long-term client relationships through in-depth, one-on-one consultation. Once Danny knows his client's personal and professional needs, he has a framework for developing a financial plan which best fits the client's goals.

Jenifer graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in December 2010 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 2012. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. Jenifer began her career with Darnall, Sikes & Frederick in 2011. She focuses mostly on individual, business, and multi-state taxation and has extensive experience with non-profit taxation. She strives to provide her clients with the tools and information necessary to achieve their business goals.

Kyle has been in the accounting profession since 2002, providing him with a broad knowledge base in the areas of construction contractors, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities. His goal is to provide clients with advice and skills necessary to achieving their objectives and continuing their success. He joined Darnall, Sikes & Frederick after graduating Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Kyle's practice has focused on financial statement audits, reviews, compilations and tax planning services. He has also developed a specific skill set in the areas of forensic accounting and fraud examinations. To complement this, Kyle completed the requirements to become a Certified Fraud Examiner in November of 2016. Kyle's professional involvements include memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Kyle has previously served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Lafayette Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Job Titles:

• Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Rachel joined Darnall, Sikes & Frederick in August 2003. Rachel enjoys the challenge of helping clients identify and solve problems, and teaching them how to develop their accounting expertise. She has recently become a member of the firm's Leadership Committee, where she is dedicated to facilitating the growth and success of the firm. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from McNeese State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and has been a practicing Certified Public Accountant since August 2005. In her time with the firm, she has gained extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of audit, review, and compilation engagements for a wide variety of entities. Rachel is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner of the Lafayette

A forward-thinking CPA with over 30 years of professional experience, Stephanie is the managing partner of the Lafayette branch. She exemplifies Darnall, Sikes & Frederick's philosophy of building lasting client relationships through personalized customer service. Stephanie serves on the Tax Committee, Management Advisory Committee, and Financial Services Committee. A Summa Cum Laude graduate from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) with a Bachelor of Science degree, Stephanie consistently offers her clients top-notch business consulting and tax planning services. Stephanie is a member of the AICPA, the SLCPA, the Consulting Services Section and Information Section of the AICPA, and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. She has passed the FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 exams and is a registered representative of Avantax Investment Services SM. Stephanie strives to build client relationships which last through the lifespan of a business, from locating start-up financing through to the sale of the company. She has extensive experience advising closely-held companies in areas of taxation, management, and restructuring.