HOULDSWORTH RUSSO COMPANY - Key Persons
Meet Christina Silic, a dedicated and enthusiastic Staff Accountant who joined HRC in 2023. As a part-time member of our team, Christina is eager to embark on a journey of professional growth and specialization in not-for-profit assurance work while she finishes her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting programs at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Prior to joining our firm, Christina spent the past two years as a tutor at the College of Southern Nevada, where she assisted students in math, chemistry, and elementary accounting. Through her guidance, Christina's students achieved improvements in their test scores and gained a deeper understanding of the subjects. Her commitment to education and helping others thrive is truly inspiring and these leadership skills will serve her well in our industry.
Christina's personal philosophy revolves around the belief that faithfulness is key in everything she does. She attributes her accomplishments to the unwavering support of her parents and the grace of God. It is this strong foundation that fuels her desire to utilize her math-related talents to contribute to charitable organizations and other entities that support our community.
When Christina isn't crunching numbers or teaching, she finds joy in exploring her diverse range of hobbies. She occasionally shares her love for Old English Country dancing by teaching others this traditional art form. Additionally, Christina enjoys playing piano, sewing historical costumes, and studying German.
Job Titles:
- Technical Support, Assurance
Often described as dependable and optimistic, Diana joined the HRC team in 2022 to add her customer service and multi-tasking skills to the administrative team. Watching her mother overcome hardships while growing up, Diana was always told to "make sure you're the hardest worker in the room." This attitude has served her well in a variety of administrative and customer-facing roles in her career.
Diana, her husband, and two children have been in Las Vegas since 1997. She loves Las Vegas because there is no need to leave the city for vacation because there is glamour and desert adventures all in one location. When not at work, Diana enjoys hiking, camping, and scrapbooking. She loves the Dallas Cowboys and anything purple!
Job Titles:
- Managing Principal, Southern Nevada
- Member of the HRC Team - While Attending Classes at the University of Nevada
Jackie started her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, an international Big 4 accounting firm. She joined HRC in 2010, working hard to rise through the ranks-she started as a staff member and now serves as a principal in the firm's Attest Department. In this capacity, she specializes in performing non-profit attest and compliance work, including Single Audits, FQHC, the New Market Tax Credit, and more.
A resourceful and diligent professional, Jackie's clients and coworkers alike know that they can turn to her for forward-thinking and reliable solutions. Her goal is to be a resource to her clients all year round, not just during the traditional busy times. Jackie was inspired to pursue a career in accounting by Dr. Charles "Tommy" Moores, an accounting professor under whom Jackie studied at the University of Nevada. She credits her success in the field to her perseverance.
Raised in Southern Florida and West Virginia, Jackie currently lives in Las Vegas with her husband-who is also a CPA-and their five children. The family also shares their home with two dogs, three cats, and three horses! Jackie enjoys living in Las Vegas because of the constant change and innovation that the city has to offer. In her free time, she most enjoys hiking, trying new wines, riding horses, and cooking-her favorite foods are mozzarella marinara and spaghetti bolognese.
I'm a middle child so I try to keep the peace and find myself saying "whatever you say" a lot! I play the violin. I'm inspired by those that stand for what they believe in even when it's not "popular
Job Titles:
- Managing Principal, Northern Nevada
Jessica joined the firm as an intern after completing her Master's degree from UNLV. She worked hard and distinguished herself, rapidly rising through the ranks and eventually stepping into the role of managing partner in 2017. As on of the leaders of the firm, she oversees operations, marketing, and community relations. On the accounting side, she leads the practice's client accounting and advisory services, nonprofit tax services, and assists with nonprofit audits. Jessica loves that she gets to work with many nonprofit clients in an advisory capacity, lending her audit and tax expertise to help them establish good governance and sort out issues related to unrelated business income.
A confident and decisive professional, Jessica is constantly in pursuit of continuous improvement-in fact, she considers this to be her personal motto! When asked about what inspired her to pursue a career in accounting, Jessica explained, "I'm naturally curious and enjoy taking complex ideas and making them usable. With accounting, I get to analyze financial information and help people-it's the best of both worlds!"
Raised in Hawaii, Jessica used to dance hula competitively (and still does so recreationally). She has lived in Nevada since 2001 and loves it for its diversity. She and her husband, George, have two young children, Bodhi and Asha, two dogs, and one cat. As a family, and what feels like a petting zoo in tow, they enjoy camping, hiking, and exploring the natural beauty of Nevada.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
Master of Science in Accounting, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
Joseph DePew is a highly skilled staff accountant in our assurance department, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a passion for innovation. Having initially joined our firm in 2020 as an accounting intern in 2020, in 2023 he rejoined the HRC team.
In 2022, Joseph graduated cum laude from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he earned a BSBA of Accounting and a BSBA of Economics. As an Honors Graduate, he actively participates in UNLV Alumni and became a member of Beta Alpha Psi, showcasing his dedication to professional development and networking.
Before joining HRC, Joseph gained diverse experience in various roles. He worked at a start-up company, where he honed his skills in financial management. Additionally, he had the opportunity to collaborate with a renowned Las Vegas comedian, combining his financial expertise with his natural humor. Moreover, Joseph also contributed his talents in finance at The Venetian, further expanding his knowledge in the field.
Joseph's colleagues often describe him as both innovative and funny, which speaks to his ability to think creatively and bring a lighthearted atmosphere to the workplace. With a personal service philosophy centered around honesty, Jospeh believes in setting realistic expectations and being transparent about his capabilities with clients and colleagues alike.
His success can be attributed to his love for puzzles, as well as his artistic talents that enable him to think outside the box and find unique solutions to complex problems. Additionally, Joseph's passion for food and cooking was ignited during a memorable visit to New Orleans in his youth, inspiring him to recreate Cajun dishes like Gumbo, Dirty Rice, and Crab. His culinary adventures have since become an ongoing love affair, making him a skilled home chef.
In his leisure time, Joseph indulges in playing tabletop role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and GURPS, enjoying immersive adventures with friends. He also has a knack for 3D printing and painting miniatures, showcasing his artistic side and attention to detail.
As a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, Joseph finds immense joy in the city's vibrant culinary scene, which offers a multitude of diverse and exceptional dining experiences. He cherishes the opportunity to explore new flavors and cuisines in his hometown.
Joseph shares his home with two beloved feline companions, Bingley and Circe, who bring him companionship and warmth. Their presence adds joy and a sense of tranquility to his daily life.
In summary, Joseph is a dedicated and innovative staff accountant with a passion for both numbers and humor. With a commitment to honesty and a track record of excellence, he continues to make significant contributions to HRC's assurance department.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Economics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Joseph's success can be attributed to his love for puzzles, as well as his artistic talents that enable him to think outside the box and find unique solutions to complex problems.
I love people and am a flagrant extrovert but my passion is to listen, support, and encourage those who need a catalyst to change.
My favorite quote is "You can't have a better tomorrow if you keep thinking about yesterday." It reminds me that if I dwell on my mistakes, they will effect me in the future.
Krista comes to HRC with a diverse background in both public and private accounting. She started her career in public accounting in tax and quickly moved through the ranks before moving to private industry. She spent 5 years working in government contracting, construction, and service industries where her ability to problem-solve saved companies time and money in sales tax audits, cost segregation, and updating policies and procedures. Eventually, Krista missed the excitement of taxes and public accounting and found her best fit with HRC.
Krista is known as an approachable and driven team player who is always patient and willing to help. Her success in accounting can be attributed to her resilience and drive and her willingness to work towards a goal, regardless of obstacles in the way.
Away from the office, Krista, her husband, and their children enjoy paddle boarding, reading, baking, and board games. The family is made whole with Annie and Grace (golden retrievers) and Cheesecake (a spotted leopard gecko). As a member of our Northern Nevada office, Krista enjoys the Sparks/Reno area because it still has a small town feel even though it is growing.
Education
Bachelors of Science in Accounting, University of Nevada, Reno
Masters of Science in Accounting, Liberty University
Job Titles:
- Experienced Senior Accountant
With two decades of professional accounting experience under her belt, Kunie is an incredibly valuable asset to HRC and its clients. As a senior accountant in the firm's Audit Department, she specializes in serving not-for-profit organizations. In addition to audits, Kunie performs bookkeeping, tax, and attest services for small to mid-size non-profits and tax returns for individuals. Prior to joining HRC in 2005, she spent five years as an accounts receivable clerk and office supervisor with a Japanese food wholesaler.
Kunie's combination of curiosity and experience make her great at her job. She strives to put herself in each client's shoes in order to best understand their unique situation. Kunie is sincere and honest-attributes to which she credits her professional success. In the course of her life, she has experienced two big earthquakes, which has greatly impacted her outlook. As a result, she seeks to never put off until tomorrow what she can do today. After all, she knows that everything can change in a minute.
Raised in Kyoto, Japan, Kunie currently lives in Henderson, Nevada. Her favorite book, Gone With the Wind, sparked her interest in the U.S. and is one of the reasons she moved to this country. In her free time, Kunie enjoys watching cat videos and playing golf-two times she has managed to hit a hole-in-one!
Education
Bachelor of Art in Business Administration, Kyoto Sangyo University, Japan
Lynette's expertise as an auditor of nonprofits makes her a valuable asset. She initially joined HRC in 2007, bringing with her over a decade of valuable experience. She spent 12 years on the HRC team before accepting an opportunity outside of the firm in 2019. But Lynette didn't stay away for long-she returned to HRC less than a year later. In her current capacity as a senior accountant, she is responsible for planning, directing, and completing audits, reviews, and compilations for both private companies and non-profit organizations.
The strong example of hard work set by Lynette's parents has been an inspiration throughout her life. Their model and expectations motivated her to apply herself both in school and on the job. As a result, Lynette has developed a strong reputation as a reliable accounting professional. She is an accomplished professional who excels at performing accurate and detail-oriented tasks both independently and as a member of team.
Born and raised in Longmont, Colorado, Lynette has lived in Henderson, Nevada since 1993. She and her husband of 31 years, Kevin, have two adult daughters, Erin and Rachel, and two cats. Lynette's favorite thing about living in Henderson is that it never snows. Outside of the office, her hobbies include traveling and reading. She also enjoys running and likes to participate in races of many lengths, ranging from 5Ks to half marathons.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Arizona State University
Associate of Applied Science, Front Range Community College
My parents have been an inspiration throughout my life of hard work and perserverance.
In her early 30's, Margaret decided to make a change to the trajectory of her career. She returned to college to study accounting and graduated in 2013. She joined HRC in 2015 and has spent most of her professional accounting career serving the firm. As Assurance Manager, Ruebush will perform financial statement and single audits and provide staff training. She serves both non-profit and for-profit organizations, including governmental and healthcare entities, but considers non-profits to be her specialty. Prior to joining HRC, Margaret spent 18 months serving at a CPA firm that performed audit and review services for publicly traded companies.
Returning to college for a second degree as a non-traditional student and changing her career trajectory revitalized Margaret's love of learning and dedication to excellence. It reminded her of her love for math and numbers. Margaret is determined and patient in both her professional and private lives. She seeks to always treat others as she would want to be treated-a characteristic to which she attributes her professional success. Before entering the accounting industry, Margaret earned a degree in Fisheries Science and worked jobs that had her "trekking around in the rivers of Virginia in waders."
Margaret was raised in Virginia, though she lived in Italy from ages two through six. She now resides in Henderson with her husband. They have one adult son and one adorable cat "daughter" named Pickles. Margaret loves the Las Vegas area because it offers a community full of strength, resiliency, and support. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and listening to audiobooks.
Education
Bachelor of Accountancy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries Science, Virginia Tech, Virginia
Meet Tom Oliver, a dedicated Staff Accountant in the Tax Department who recently made the move from Rochester, NY to join our firm in 2023. Tom brings experience in preparing tax returns, specializing in real estate companies, small and medium businesses, and individual clients.
Known for his integrity, Tom is often described by others as a great person with a commitment to giving his best effort. His personal philosophy revolves around the idea that in order to expect the best in return, one must give 110% for others to live their best lives. This principle guides his approach to both professional and personal interactions.
Tom credits his success to the support of his family, friends, exceptional education, and amazing co-workers. Drawing inspiration from family members who have found fulfillment in the field of accounting, Tom was motivated to pursue a career in this industry.
Having worked in a steel factory earlier in his life, Tom learned the importance of prioritizing team safety, followed by a focus on the quality and quantity of the product. This experience instilled in him a strong belief in the value of a team-oriented and safety-first business philosophy, which he carries with him in all his professional endeavors.
Outside of the office, Tom is an avid hiker, drawing inspiration from his favorite book, "The Revenant." This tale resonates with him, particularly its powerful message about letting go of things beyond one's control.
Now happily settled in Las Vegas, Tom is enjoying the community, diverse cuisine, and entertainment options the city has to offer. And, of course, he's making the most of the fantastic golf, hiking and skiing opportunities that the area provides.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY
Associate of Science, Business Administration, Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY
"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt
In 2020, Melissa joined HRC, establishing her professional accounting career with the firm. She currently serves as a staff accountant in the firm's Assurance department. Her knowledge of accounting systems and software has been a big help to her clients. Her professional experience includes assisting a company integrate new software, resulting in increased efficiency and greater precision in data collections.
A dependable and driven professional, Melissa believes that the client always comes first. She is constantly in pursuit of further learning. She chose to pursue a career in accounting because of an interest in business and a desire to help businesses meet their goals. She attributes her career success to her ambition to accomplish her goals and a strong work ethic.
Born in Santa Barbara, California but raised in West Virginia, Melissa currently lives in Las Vegas. She enjoys the city because it offers a wide variety of fun activities. In her free time, Melissa's hobbies include reading and running.
Since 2017, Melissa has been a valuable member of the HRC team. She currently serves as a senior accountant and works in the firm's Client Accounting and Advisory Services department. She specializes in financial reporting, new technology implementation, and best practices for HRC's clients.
Melissa believes strongly in the value of "paying it forward"-that is, giving back to the people and communities around her. Her clients and coworkers alike appreciate her friendly attitude and firm commitment to punctuality. Melissa was inspired to pursue a career in accounting by a college professor. She attributes her success in the field to her amazing support system, including her sister Jill, who is a great inspiration to her.
A resident of North Las Vegas, Melissa is mother to four incredible children of whom she is very proud. She loves living in Las Vegas because there is always something fun to do. She enjoys spending her free time camping, fishing, and practicing photography. Melissa likes to read, too-her favorite book is Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
Education:
Master of Science in Accounting, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Weber State
I am a mother to 4 incredible children that make me proud every day. I'm inspired by my sister Jill because she is as close to perfect as you can get.
"A good advisor is passionate about what their clients do, not just the services they can provide. Care about your client's business as if it were your own." - Stephen Matthew
In 2020, Stephen joined the HRC team, bringing with him a wealth of valuable experience in both public and private accounting. He currently serves the firm as a Principal. An experienced and eager professional, Stephen established his accounting career when he joined Deloitte directly out of college, serving in the firm's audit practice. He spent five years in public accounting before transitioning into the private sphere. Stephen served Everi Holdings, Inc. from 2014 to 2020, working as a director in both corporate finance and internal audit. He spent a brief time as a corporate controller for a Henderson, Nevada automotive parts distributor before transitioning back into public accounting by joining HRC.
Stephen loves working in an organization that encourages teamwork, allows for a balanced and innovative work environment, and provides challenging work. He has a history of playing an integral role in large projects. In 2014 he drafted an integrated 10-K and assisted in accounting for the acquisition and debt financing for a $1.2 billion acquisition. In 2018, he performed an internal audit department quality assessment review, which included drafting a department policies and procedures manual, managing the assessment process, and obtaining the highest-level score for general conformance. He has also taken part in several significant system transitions during his career.
Stephen grew up in Hanover Park, Illinois. He met his wife, Jacqueline - also a member of the HRC team - while attending classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. They currently live in Las Vegas with their five children, three cats, three horses, and two dogs.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Western Illinois University
Taylor is known to her peers as an observant and fast learner. Taylor joined HRC in 2022 after previous work experience providing non-profit bookkeeping services. She is known to her peers as an observant and fast learner, and her personal service philosophy is "always strive to exceed your clients' expectations - you can't have pride in bare minimum work." This philosophy is built from a strong work ethic gained by persevering through hardships in her past. Taylor attributes her success to her desire to honor her family name.
The youngest of three siblings, Taylor enjoys trying new restaurants, music events, and festivals in Las Vegas. As a native to Las Vegas, she appreciates the active city and ability to have a never-ending list of new things to try.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
My favorite quote is "It could be worse" because no matter how hard a circumstance is that you are facing, it could always be much more unpleasant.
Job Titles:
- Director of Administration
In 2022, Teri returned to HRC, rejoining our team as the Director of Administration following a five-year hiatus. From 2007 to 2018, she had been an invaluable asset as our Firm Administrator. Teri succinctly captures her role with a powerful statement: "I am here to eliminate any obstacles that hinder success." Her extensive experience and expertise make her an ideal fit for this crucial position.
Teri's professional journey began in the retail industry, where she initially found fulfillment at Macy's before achieving her career goal of becoming a buyer for TJ Maxx. However, she soon realized that this role did not align with her true passion and failed to bring her genuine happiness. Taking a bold step, she took a couple of years to explore personal interests before transitioning into administrative roles within several startup companies. It was during this time that Teri discovered her exceptional organizational and project management skills, recognizing their immense value.
Beyond her professional achievements, Teri possesses a zest for life and a remarkable range of interests. She has amassed over 350,000 miles on motorcycles, embarking on thrilling journeys from Alaska to Mexico and exploring the scenic landscapes of the northwest. For 22 years, Teri actively participated as a member of the inflation and pilot teams responsible for the giant helium balloons in the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Moreover, she serves as a member of flight crews for numerous hot air balloon pilots, delighting in attending festivals across the country. A Jersey girl at heart, Teri has previously resided in Las Vegas, southern Oregon, Carson City and is happy to be back in Las Vegas and away from the snow!
Teri's diverse experiences, unwavering dedication, and passion for overcoming challenges make her an invaluable asset to our team at HRC. With her leadership, we are confident in our ability to tackle any obstacles and achieve unprecedented success.
Teri sums up her position with this statement: "I'm here to remove obstacles to success."