Melanie is a CPA with 35 years of experience in public accounting in the assurance area serving nonprofit organizations and privately and publicly held companies in the manufacturing, distribution, technology, professional services, and restaurant industries. Melanie began her career with BDO USA in 1987 in Orlando. In 2000, she was one of three partners that acquired the Orlando practice from BDO and became an Alliance Member firm and a founding partner of Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP, where she served as the Director of Assurance Services. In 2015, the firm merged back into BDO USA and Melanie assumed the role of BDO’s Office Managing Partner for Assurance Services in Orlando. She has a long history of community service and has held various leadership positions in numerous nonprofit organizations in the Central Florida area. Currently, Melanie is responsible for the firm’s relationship with CPA Alliance member firms in the Southeast region, including building their connections with the 12 BDO offices in the same footprint. Melanie obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Central Florida.

In her off hours: I enjoy yoga and attending yoga retreats in other countries, as well as biking, swimming, watching tennis and football (college and NFL) and traveling with my husband, David. We have two Pomeranians, Layla and Fergie.

Unique fact: I am a former amateur triathlete and played various Disney characters (including Chip and Dale), performing in shows, parades and meet-and-greets for Walt Disney World while in college.

Ed has over 15 years of experience working in the accounting profession. For 10 of those years, Ed has served CPA firms as clients. He worked as a tax accountant for Baker Tilly focused on tax credits and incentives before becoming a regional director for an international accounting network. He eventually started his own advisory firm offering practice management consulting services to accounting firms from his home base in Michigan. Most recently, he was the Director of Client Services for Leading Edge Alliance. Ed received his bachelor’s degree in business management from DePaul University.

In his off hours: I enjoy hiking, biking, reading biographies and spending time with my kids Isabella (4), James (3), and Madelyn (1).

Unique fact: My longest hike was up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at over 19,000 ft above sea level.

Melissa has almost 30 years of business development and relationship management experience in the professional services industry. While she has worked for a variety of accounting/consulting, finance, and legal firms, Melissa returns to BDO after having served as the West Region Business Development Director earlier in her career from 2001-2010. Most recently, she was the founder of a professional coaching business for emerging leaders and, prior to that, the vice president of business development for a legal services firm in San Francisco. She received her bachelor’s degree from Swansea University and a master’s degree from The University of Manchester, England.

In her off hours: I enjoy everything our town (Bend) has to offer. From skiing in the winter, to paddleboarding and mountain biking in the summer, I do it all while keeping up with my two boys, ages 12 and 10.

Unique fact: I once spent 48 hours stuck on a mountain in a snowstorm whiteout. I was very happy to be rescued!

Andy is a CPA and attorney with more than 30 years of experience in public accounting, including extensive experience in developing compensation structures for private and public entities and not-for-profit entities. He has consulted on compensation and benefit plan design and implementation, including design and implementation of executive compensation programs and qualified and nonqualified retirement plans including Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Previously, Andy was the leader of BDO’s Global Employer Services group and Southeast Tax Regional Managing Partner and, most recently, BDO’s National Tax Office – Advisory Managing Partner. Currently, he oversees tax resources for Alliance firms and helps educate members on tax consultative cross-serving opportunities. Andy obtained his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Florida, his J.D. from Mercer University, and his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida.

Steph has over 15 years of experience in marketing and business development. Her background includes marketing campaigns, event management, marketing strategy, website development and social media. Currently, she serves as a BRN Relationship Director facilitating and leveraging interaction among BRN firms, CPA Alliance firms and BDO offices. Prior to her position with the Alliance, Steph worked as a marketing manager for a Top 200 accounting firm in Kansas. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

In her off hours … My husband, Brock, is a Division II college football coach and our two sons, Kellan (9) and Porter (7), play baseball, soccer, basketball and flag football. Needless to say, I don’t have a ton of time for much else in this season of life, but I also enjoy cooking, gardening, reading and traveling.

Unique fact: Our household has a rather diverse sports following. Between having grown up in northeast Pennsylvania, my husband’s family being from Ohio, and having lived in Kansas for over 12 years, you’ll find us cheering for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers, the Cincinnati Reds, the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Kansas City Chiefs, and University of Kansas basketball, and the Washburn Ichabods.

Heather has over 20 years of experience in account management within the accounting industry. She has helped her CPA clients grow their practices and increase efficiency through process improvement technology, workflow and accounting tools, and client accounting services software. Currently, she serves as a BRN Relationship Director focused on the Southeast region. Prior to her position with the Alliance, Heather was a Senior Partner Development Manager at Intuit. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from West Virginia University. 

In her off hours: I love traveling with family and friends. In my free time, I’m usually planning my next trip. I also enjoy yoga and watching my son play soccer.  

Unique fact: I have worked with the BDO Alliance USA throughout my career as a BRN member at CCH, Intuit, XCM, and Botkeeper. I’m excited to be part of the Alliance team. 

Danielle has over 20 years of experience in administration and project management. Currently, she serves as a BRN Relationship Manager, working closely with the entire BRN relationship team on member needs. Prior to her position with the Alliance, Danielle was a long-time employee in BDO’s New York City office where she worked with senior leadership to effectively run the Assurance practice, keeping them organized, informed and prepared for anything that came their way. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Albany. 

In her off hours … Danielle loves spending time with good friends, enjoying trendy restaurants, traveling to beach destinations and also spending time with her ‘fur-friends’ volunteering when she can at a local animal shelter. 

Unique fact: I hated the gym, never kept a consistent routine, never committed to going for longer than a few months … until one day, I walked into an Orange Theory Fitness studio and joined on the spot! Three years and counting, I have attended 500 classes and, most recently, enjoyed being voted Member of the Month! Fitness has become my ‘rock.’

Taylor has over 10 years of experience working in banking, wealth management and fintech, primarily in client relationship and customer success roles. She has helped clients in all areas of service, including onboarding, reviews, financial plans, and software implementation, to help ensure their success. Currently, she serves as a BRN Relationship Manager, working closely with the entire BRN relationship team on member needs. Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in finance from Utah Valley University and her Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Utah University.

In her off hours: You can find me with friends, family or outdoors. During the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and exploring new ski resorts or catching a flight to somewhere warm/sunny. In the summer, you can find me road biking, hiking, playing pickleball, or at the lake.

Unique fact: I was born and raised in Las Vegas and my Nevada pride runs deep! I find beauty in the desert and I’m always seeking blue skies. 

Jessica has over 10 years of experience in marketing and operations. Her background includes branding, public relations, creative design, marketing strategy and project management. Currently, she serves as a Marketing Manager working on digital marketing projects, including marketing automation, social media and reporting, as well as branding, design and collateral. Prior to her position with the Alliance, Jessica worked as a program director in the healthcare industry in addition to a marketing position at a regional accounting firm. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications and business from the University of South Carolina.

In her off hours … You will find me chasing after my 3 year old son Mac and tiny tot Lucy! I enjoy a good book, kayaking the local rivers of South Carolina, and cheering on my beloved Gamecocks. I am a strong believer in good coffee, the color yellow, and a firm handshake.

Unique fact: I have attended three Cher concerts (and counting)!