Matt is the founding shareholder of the firm and continues to lead and grow it according to the professional standards and ethical principles upon which the firm was founded. Certified to practice in the State of Florida and deeply knowledgeable about tax law, Matt is especially skilled at representing taxpayers in front of the Internal Revenue Service and the Florida Department of Revenue. With over 38 years of public accounting experience, Matt provides very sage, forward-looking business advice. Before joining the practice his father established in 1974 on Tenth Street South, Matt began his career as a Controller, working for several local firms, thereby gaining insight into the area’s real estate and construction industries as early as the 1980s. These firms included a prestigious civil engineering company, a large real estate developer, and seven companies owned by a Dutch Industrialist that operated throughout the U.S. Matt is one of the few accountants to pass all four parts of the very rigorous CPA licensing exam at one time. Matt loves what he does for a living, but reserves his greatest pride for his two sons.

James earned his CPA license in early 2015. While at Stetson University, James received training by some of the University’s most prestigious faculty who emphasized experiential learning and real-world applicability. The Stetson University School of Business Administration is accredited by the AACSB in both business and accounting, the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide and one of only 35 private universities to hold this accreditation. James’ academic education was supplemented by his executive involvement in the financial operations of prominent campus organizations such as Pi Kappi Phi, where he served as Vice President of Finance and the Inter-Fraternity Council’s Vice President, Treasurer and Risk Management. He is a shareholder of the firm.

John, who earned his CPA license in 2018, has been with the firm for 15+ years during which he has developed a keen insight into the dynamics of a diverse set of industries. He has a natural affinity for tax law and is uniquely adept at identifying weaknesses and open-mindedly exploring alternatives that yield favorable results for clients. John is equally passionate about analyzing emerging financial issues that have no tax law precedent. John’s graduate work at FGCU included courses in Complex Organization Accounting, International Taxation, Corporation and Partnership Taxation, Taxation Research, Industry-specific Analytics and Statistics Business Ethics, TQM and Business Law. While at Hodges, one of Florida’s premier private universities, John made the Dean’s List during his junior and senior years. He is a shareholder of the firm.

Rod brings a deep banking and financial services insight to the firm, having worked for Fifth Third Bank analyzing financial statements, credit histories and being responsible for the daily operations of branch offices. Prior to his tenure at this diversified financial services company, Rod worked for DST Systems, Inc., a mutual fund transfer agent, as Client Account Manager, acting as the liaison between mutual fund clients and their family of funds. Previously, Rod served another local accounting firm in Naples where he spent seven years as a CPA.

Kellie brings a big practice perspective to the firm having worked as a Senior Audit Associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP where she gained a depth and breadth of knowledge that many professionals in the accounting field do not experience. The insights gained here have made her a skillful advisor, able to guide companies through complex tax and accounting matters. Kellie’s 20+ year career also includes working as an Assistant Controller for Private Capital Management, an Accounting Consultant for NeoMedia Technologies and a Senior of Financial Reporting, for Gartner Group, a global technology research and consulting firm where she managed intercompany transactions. At Gartner, Kellie was part of the team responsible for reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission and a member of the due diligence and integration teams tasked with evaluating and merging acquisitions in the U.S. and abroad. Kellie has been with our firm for 10+ years. She’s a mother of two girls and enjoys the work/life balance that the firm makes possible.

A tax senior with a diverse level of experience, Jeremy joins the firm coming from an independent full-service accounting firm in Fort Myers where he worked primarily on tax situations involving multiple states, multiple related entities and the owners’ related individual tax returns. He also has experience handling trust and estate work. In his capacity here, he earned a reputation for being the go-to tax software specialist at the firm, instructing employees on how to use the software especially as it related to annual changes in the software and its impact on inputs related to complex tax situations. Jeremy also handled most of the work the firm did related to the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) as well as a lot of IRS correspondence and notice responses. While at the Florida Department of Revenue, he served as Tax Auditor, auditing the books and records of taxpayers; primarily focused on sales tax, fuel tax, communications service tax and re-employment tax audits. This gives him a unique insight into what DOR auditors look for, allowing him to effectively counsel clients undergoing audits. Jeremy is the father of two wonderful boys, ages five and two with whom he spends most of his free time. He’s also an animal lover, favoring both dogs and cats.

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Karolina joins the firm most recently from a Top 200 Regional CPA firm practicing in Naples where she prepared federal and state income tax returns for individuals, businesses, trusts, estates and non-profits and conducted tax related research. These responsibilities included reconciling bank accounts and posting journal entries across multiple business units. Prior to this, she served in a similar role at a multidisciplinary financial services firm in Naples that was ranked a Top 100 Accounting firm by Accounting Today magazine. Karolina’s role here included analyzing account information and reconciling financial discrepancies to maintain record integrity and compliance as well as performing month-end closing and reporting functions. Skilled in financial analysis with a methodical approach and meticulous attention to detail, Karolina considers herself a life-long learner committed to continuous self-directed learning.

During Dianne’s 30+ years of experience in accounting and financial services, she has earned a reputation for providing an outstanding level of personalized service to clients. With deep Midwestern roots, Dianne began her career in the banking industry in Missouri where she was a key member of the real estate lending department and held a Realtor’s License. She remained in this position at Mercantile Bank for 12 years before broadening her experience in accounting at a series of other employers in the Southeast that included public accounting and real estate firms, and a cement manufacturing company before settling in Florida. Dianne and her husband Jim have one daughter named Michele and two adorable grandchildren.

Tina’s more than 20 years experience in accounting includes positions as Controller, Staff Accountant and Accounting Supervisor in the construction and property management industries. Prior to joining our firm, Tina most recently served as the Controller for Gates Construction, a full-service general contracting, build and design firm where she prepared annual audits and annual operating expense budgets, monthly financial statements, weekly A/R reports and forecasts. Prior to her position as Gates, Tina served in accounting positions at another local accounting firm where she prepared individual and corporate tax returns and at R&P Property Management, producing monthly financial statements for multiple homeowner and condominium associations among other duties.

Lissi’s 20+ years of multi-functional experience in the financial services industry is highlighted by positions in research, control and client relations. Prior to joining the firm in 1999, Lissi served as a Research Processor for IMC Mortgage Company in Tampa and as an NSF Processor for Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation. Earlier in her career, Lissi managed the daily balancing differences for 165 bank tellers at NationsBank and she served Belk Lindsey in an Auditing position while overseeing customer service. While Lissi’s keen analytical skills are appreciated by her colleagues, her exceptionally personable demeanor is appreciated by the firm’s clients.

Noely brings deep operational expertise and exceptional client relations skills to the firm. She most recently served as Contract Administrator for one of the largest hurricane protection companies in the state of Florida where she coordinated permits, scheduled inspections and engaged both customers and homeowners associations. Prior to this role, Noely served as the company’s Legal Manager where she prepared, recorded, notarized and processed notices of terminations, contractors’ affidavits and coordinated with title companies, attorneys, mortgage lenders and homeowners to facilitate clearing/closing requirements. Earlier in her career, Noely served in the roles of Office Assistant, Permit Coordinator and Accounting Assistant for a luxury remodeling design and build firm in Southwest Florida. She was also Vice President of Programing and Vice President of Finance & Operations for the Delta Gamma Women’s Fraternity at Florida Gulf Coast University. Noely is fluent in both Spanish and English.

For more than 25 years, Patti Soldavini has pushed the boundaries of marketing and creativity to connect brands with audiences to help businesses grow. A sharp strategic thinker and creative catalyst she’s built a dynamic career in B2C and B2B industries working on both the client and agency sides for both established and progressive brands. Most recently, Patti served as Global Head, Strategy for SGK, a global packaging and brand experience company. Earlier in her career, she served in leadership positions at the New York Cable Marketing Co-op, working with marketing leaders at HBO, CNN, Discovery and MTV; in creative leadership positions at industry-leading Home Shopping Network during the company’s heady growth years; in marketing research and communications roles at pharma information leader IMS Health (now IQVIA) and in market research and public relations roles at WHT, the first pay TV network on the East Coast. Patti is passionate about the intersection of creativity, technology and psychology and currently leads Outfox Consulting, from which she serves as an advisor to the principals of Matthew J. Soldavini, PA. and any clients seeking marketing consulting. She is proud to be associated with the family firm in this capacity.