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• Meet Our Team

Jill H. Best, CPA, Manager

As a manager in the firm’s tax department, Jill specializes in strategic tax planning and preparation for individuals, partnerships, estates, and trusts. Her work spans across the majority of Kostin’s industry groups.

Jill earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Estate and Business Planning Council of Hartford.

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Laurette T. Bishop, CPA, Manager

With over 15 years of public accounting experience, Laurette shares her extensive knowledge of accounting-driven business solutions and strategic tax planning with individuals and closely held private businesses. Even though Laurette provides services across the majority of Kostin’s industry groups, she has extensive technical experience in the healthcare, retail and professional service industries.

Laurette graduated from Westfield State College, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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Matthew E. Bonin, CPA, Manager

As a manager in the firm’s Government Services Group, Matthew has significant experience providing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and consulting services to numerous municipalities, not-for-profit organizations .and closely held businesses.

Matt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Quinnipiac College. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Government Finance Officers Association. He serves as Treasurer and is a volunteer with the Niantic Fire Department.

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Dale C. Boutot, CPA, Manager

Dale started his relationship with Kostin as an associate accountant, and has since been promoted twice. In his current position, he focuses his accounting, auditing, business consulting and strategic tax planning work on industry groups including manufacturing, real estate, and wholesale & distribution. Mr. Boutot has developed extensive experience with Sarbanes-Oxley work where he performs documentation and testing of controls related to various organizational operations.

Dale is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Public Accountants.

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Kristen D. Brown, CPA, Manager

Since joining the firm in 1999, Kristen has developed extensive experience with accounting, auditing and reporting issues concerning not-for-profit, municipal, and manufacturing industries. Her work with not-for-profit organizations includes a focus on capital campaigns, lobbying issues and unrelated business income tax. In addition, she is experienced with Federal and State Single Audits.

Kristen is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada and the Connecticut Government Finance Officers Association. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland. Her role at the firm extends to developing and delivering the firm’s continuing professional education program for the not-for-profit and municipal groups.

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Michael P Conchieri, CPA/ABV, Manager

With over 30 years of public accounting experience, Mike combines his deep knowledge of accounting and tax issues with an intimate understanding of the business and personal goals of his clients to deliver results-driven work. His areas of expertise include business valuation, litigation support, and a wide range of management advisory services.

Mike is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Western New England College. a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), and has received an Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) designation. Mike is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts In addition to his professional affiliations, Mike is active in various civic and charitable organizations throughout Western Massachusetts.

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William T. Craig, CPA, Principal

Bill has been working with individuals and small to medium size companies for over 31 years. Although his experience spans across many industries, his practice focuses on healthcare, real estate, construction and professional services. Bill’s areas of expertise include identifying accounting-based solutions to business problems, strategic tax planning and compliance, business consulting and strategic planning.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Bill is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, Builders Association of Eastern Connecticut and Association for Long Term Care Financial Managers. He is a member of the Firm’s Healthcare Services, Real Estate and Construction Groups.

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Tracy A. Decker, CPA, Manager

Tracy has over 14 years experience providing accounting, auditing, tax and business consulting services to municipalities, real estate companies, professional services firms, individuals, government-regulated rental properties and closely-held private businesses.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Tracy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and joined the Firm in l995. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada and the Connecticut Government Finance Officers Association. Tracy is also past Membership Chair of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, past Treasurer of the Connecticut Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and past Treasurer of the Real Estate Exchange.

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MaryBeth DelVecchia, CPA, Manager

MaryBeth joined Kostin after 13 years of public accounting with a national accounting firm where she directed audit engagements for both public and private technology based clients. She has considerable experience with emerging and middle market companies in the software, biotechnology and communications industries. In addition to managing the audits for these clients, she has led teams on due diligence projects and initial/secondary public offering transactions. She is also experienced with testing of the design and operational effectiveness of public company internal control systems in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley standards.

MaryBeth has developed seasoned expertise in ensuring client service needs are met on a timely basis, recognizing complex technical issues and applying the appropriate steps for resolution. She currently manages several audit engagements for clients in various industries, and has been involved in managing audits for businesses that produce qualified entertainment content in the digital media space who are seeking tax credit. MaryBeth is also fully immersed in the Firm's Risk Assessment Group which is focused on understanding and implementing Private Company Standards for Audits and ensuring proper integration of these standards into the Firm’s audit plans.

MaryBeth is a graduate of the University of Connecticut having earned an MBA in Accounting as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and volunteers for various charitable organizations.

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Gerry S. Fawthrop, CPA, Principal

As a tax principal, Gerry provides strategic tax planning and tax accounting services to many of the firm’s corporate clients. He works across most all of the firm’s industry groups including real estate, construction, and manufacturing, healthcare with an emphasis on financial statement tax accounting and tax compliance services. Prior to joining the firm, Gerry served as a tax officer of a company trading on the NYSE. In this role he was responsible for the management of tax research and planning, and tax compliance for federal and multi-state operations. In addition, his experience includes work as a tax manager for a national accounting firm.

A graduate of Saint Michael College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Gerry is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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Stephen P. Gregory, J.D., Principal

Stephen is a principal at the firm and serves as tax attorney providing strategic tax planning services to many of the firm’s closely-held business clients and their owners. He serves a diverse group of clients with an emphasis on partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and tax-exempt organizations. Stephen is responsible for researching tax issues, structuring transactions, and advising clients on tax-exempt issues including, but not limited to, unrelated business activities, lobbying, tax-exempt status, and distribution planning.

A graduate of the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Mr. Gregory earned his Juris Doctorate at the University Of Connecticut School Of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

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Lorraine Halibozek, CPA, Manager

Lorraine has over 18 years of experience sharing her knowledge of accounting, tax, and consulting services with privately held businesses. She currently focuses most of her efforts serving the firm’s health care, professional services and real estate clients.

Her past professional experience includes work in both private and public accounting for large, medium and small size firms. Lorraine’s breadth of professional experience gives her a unique perspective when servicing the needs of her clients.

Lorraine graduated summa cum laude from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA). In addition, she is a member of the CSCPA’s Student Outreach and Career Awareness Committee.

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Valerie R. Hyde, CPA, Manager

Valerie’s depth of experience includes over 11 years of public accounting experience in governmental accounting, auditing and reporting, including State and Federal Single Audits. In addition, her experience includes providing accounting, tax, auditing and business consulting services to manufacturing and small business clients. Prior to joining Kostin, Valerie worked as a senior accountant at a publicly traded insurance company.

Valerie graduated from the University of Connecticut earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She earned her MBA from the University of Connecticut.  Valerie is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Connecticut Government Finance Officers Association.  She shares her depth of knowledge as a lecturer in the firm’s professional development training program.

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Jim P. Lyons, CPA, Principal

With over 11 years of experience in public accounting, Jim devotes the majority of his time to governmental audits and the firm’s municipal clients. As a principal within the Government Services Group, he has worked with all phases of governmental and not-for-profit accounting, auditing and reporting, including Federal and State Single Audits. Mr. Lyons is also experienced with auditing for water, sewer, transit and school districts.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bentley College and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Connecticut Government Finance Officers Association. Mr. Lyons is a frequent speaker and instructor on government auditing issues for firm’s professional development programs.

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Susan K. McLean, CPA, Manager

Susan joined the Kostin team in 2009 with over 25 years of professional accounting, auditing and business consulting experience. Her private industry experience, coupled with her public accounting experience serving not-for-profit, municipal, and manufacturing, wholesale and distribution clients contribute to her effectiveness helping our clients meet their personal and professional goals. As a result of her breadth of experience in various accounting settings--from small local accounting offices to large national firms--Susan is capable of sharing best practices that contribute to the success of her clients.

A graduate of Rollins College, Susan earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and is a Manager in our Not-for-Profit Group. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. Away from the office and in the community, Susan is an adamant supporter and fund-raiser for youth sports.

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Joseph S. Milardo, CPA, Manager

Joe has over twelve years of experience serving a variety of start-up, closely-held, private middle market and public companies in the manufacturing, distribution, real estate, retail, wholesale, service, and technology industries. He began his public accounting career at a large national accounting firm, and has held positions in industry as an Assistant Controller for a publicly traded high technology manufacturer and a Business Unit Controller for a division of a Fortune 100 manufacturer. As a Manager in the Firm's Audit and Accounting Department, Joe is responsible for the management, planning and supervision of accounting, audit and tax work for a variety of client companies and works closely with management and owners to provide accounting and business consulting services.

Joe graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, he has been active in various civic organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Morris Foundation in Waterbury, CT.

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Matthew J. Nick, J.D., Principal

Matt serves as a tax attorney specializing in state and local taxation. He joined the Firm in 1990, and has over 19 years of experience advising clients on state tax legislation. He works with state tax issues arising from multi-state business enterprises. His invaluable knowledge of state tax issues ensures that our clients will have the best possible tax advice.

Mr. Nick is a co-leader of the firm's Digital Media Group. The firm’s Digital Media Group has extensive experience with production companies and is an expert on Connecticut's Digital Media and Motion Picture Tax Credit Program. The Group serves as an advisor to Connecticut's Film Division and assisted in the development of the audit instructions and related forms for the tax credit. As a group co-leader, Mr. Nick advises on the tax credit process and serves as a consultant to production companies. Mr. Nick is a member of the Southeastern Connecticut Film Commission.

Matt graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Tax Section; and the Connecticut Bar Association, Tax Section. He is a board member of United Cerebral Palsy; Treasurer and Board member of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and Board member of the Builders Association of Eastern Connecticut. He also serves on the Connecticut Business and Industry's Standing Tax Committee.

Matt is a frequent lecturer, and instructor for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the National Business Institute, Associated Builders and Contractors, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Lorman Educational Services.

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Jason D. Patras, CPA, Manager

Jason has over eight years of public accounting experience. He joined Kostin, Ruffkess & Company, LLC in July 2000 as an Associate Accountant and has since developed an extensive knowledge of employee benefit plans. Jason serves as a team member of the firm’s Employee Benefit Plans Group where he performs audits of numerous defined contributions and defined benefit plans. His role extends to developing and delivering the firm’s continuing professional education program for the Employee Benefit Plans Group. Jason is experienced in servicing the unique needs of general contractors, manufacturing companies, not-for-profit entities, broker/dealers in securities, and real estate entities.

A graduate of Bryant University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Jason also earned a Master of Science degree in Accounting at the University of Connecticut. Jason is a member of the Accounting Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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Scott J. Provost, CPA, CCIFP, Manager

As a member of the firm's Construction Services Group, Scott is responsible for providing accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services to closely held private companies in the construction industry. Specifically, Scott manages audits and reviews for general contractors, subcontractors and homebuilders. He assists clients in financial statement analysis related to bonding and business tax planning. Scott is experienced with various construction related software programs and performs contractor cost certifications for regulatory agencies such as CHFA.

Having earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut, he also holds the designation of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional. Scott is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association (CICPAC). In addition, he is a member of the AGC/CCIA Young Contractors Forum and currently serves as the organization's Treasurer.

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J. Arthur Rizy, CPA, Principal

Art has over 27 years of experience providing accounting and auditing services to clients with particular emphasis on audits and reviews with tax compliance for closely-held businesses in manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail, and biomass energy. In addition, he participates in the firm's attest function quality control.

A 1982 graduate of the State University of New York College at Brockport with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Art joined the Firm in 1985 and became a Principal in 1999. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Accounting and Reporting Standards Committee of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is an active member of the Cromwell, Connecticut Boy Scouts Troop Committee and serves as their treasurer.

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Kimberly Stomper, CPA, Chief Operating Officer

As Kostin's Chief Operating Officer, Kim provides sage leadership and direction to the firm’s financial operations. She is a member of the firm’s Management Group where she contributes strategic direction to Kostin’s daily operations and its long term growth strategy.

Kim's 19 years of professional experience include 5 years in the private sector serving as the financial controller of a nationwide alternative energy company, 8 years with Kostin on the client service staff providing both tax and assurance services to clients in various industries and for the past 6 years as a member of the firm's internal management team.

Kim’s past experience servicing clients combined with her current responsibilities as one of the firm’s leaders, gives her a unique perspective when it comes to both supporting the firm’s mission of delivering exceptional client service and providing professional development coaching to the client service team members.

Kim earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. Kim is a participating member of The Leading Edge Alliance’s Firm Administrator & Chief Operating Officer Specialized Interest Group.

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Michelle Syc, CISA, CEH, MsAIT, Information Systems Auditor

Michelle has over five years of experience in information systems design and analysis. Her background includes information system security and computer software training and she is a lecturer and developer of training programs at the Firm.

Her work for clients includes reviewing information system controls to identify weaknesses, designing of testing procedures to investigate weaknesses, and providing recommendations to further enhance the control structure of the IT environment focusing on its interaction with the financial reporting system.

Her expertise focuses on the security of the IT architecture at the network level, operating system vulnerabilities, database and application controls; logical access administration; backup/recovery and contingency planning; as well as IT-related organizational policies and procedures.

Michelle performs electronic data extraction and analysis to help create efficiencies in auditing large volumes of data. She analyzes client data for misstatements of accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, and other balance sheet accounts, utilizes software to review client financial data for fraudulent activity, and to stratify client data for sampling and testing purposes.

Ms. Syc is a board member and membership chairperson of the Connecticut Chapter of the Information System Audit and Control Association (ISACA). She is also a member of the Connecticut Chapter High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) and the Connecticut Chapter Certified Fraud Examiners (CT CFE). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems at the University of Connecticut.

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Mark S. Taub, Director of Marketing

Driven by the next challenge and sustained by results, Mark passionately leads organizations to new levels of growth and prosperity. With close to 25 years of experience, Mark’s distinguished career is rooted in starting and growing postsecondary education services companies, and then, applying that knowledge to other service industries. His strength lies in strategically taking ideas from concept, through research and development and to market. As such, Mark makes it possible for organizations to realize unparalleled growth.

Through the development and implementation of Kostin’s multi-dimensional marketing and communications program, Mark and his team design innovative initiatives to support the firm’s over-arching strategic business plan.

Successfully growing up with and later leading his family’s business, and then selling it to a publicly traded company and transitioning employees to the acquiring company is another area of expertise for Mark. He excels in team building and coaching.

What’s more, Mark understands the short- and long-term demands of business leaders, while also having a unique insight into managers without financial expertise. He not only knows the benchmarks to create, what to do, and how to measure the outcomes, but he can simplify it, so that what needs to be done is clear and easy to understand.

Mark earned a bachelor of arts degree in International Trade from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn., and a master’s in business administration from the University of Hartford, Hartford, Conn. This knowledge coupled with his hands-on work experience offers clients a professional who understands the role marketing and business development play to the ever-important bottom line.

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John J. Turgeon, CPA, Principal

John has over 26 years of professional experience - including several leadership roles - concentrating in the areas human resource management, operations, and professional recruitment. He currently devotes a significant portion of his time assisting with the management of the firm, its strategic planning initiatives, managing its recruitment efforts and the professional development of its people. Additionally, as leader of the firm’s Human Resources Consulting Group, he provides services to clients in a variety of areas including leadership retreat facilitation, executive coaching, performance improvement planning, professional recruitment assistance, and policy formulation

John graduated from Western New England College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Accounting. Most recently he completed the Leading Change and Organizational Renewal Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School. John is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut where he previously served as Treasurer and Vice President. He is Immediate Past President of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA) where he previously held the offices of Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Prior to his Board appointments, John served as past chair and member on a number of the CSCPA’s committees including its Human Resources, Strategic Planning and Governance Structure committees. Additionally, he serves on the Western New England College Accounting Department Advisory Board. Over the years, he has received special recognition from the University of Connecticut, INROADS of Greater Hartford & Springfield, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Dale Carnegie.

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Lindsey A. Wright, Manager

Lindsey brings over 30 years of employee benefit plan related experience to her position at Kostin. As a Manager in the Firm’s Employee Benefit Plans Group, she serves as the central point of contact between our employee benefit plan audit clients and our audit team. Prior to joining the firm, Lindsey was a Manager at a large national accounting firm where she was responsible for managing the administrative aspects of audit engagements involving the completion of over 200 employee benefit plan audits. Lindsey also has an extensive background in Employee Benefit Trust Administration. She worked as a Corporate Trust Officer at a large bank and was responsible for coordinating the overall employee benefit trust administration and for developing policies and procedures for the Employee Benefit Trust Division.

Ms. Wright is a graduate of Ithaca College with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology. She has completed several of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist classes, as well as Cannon Trust Financial School EBT I, II, III, and IV certifications. She is a former charter member of the Las Vegas chapter of the Western Pension Conference and a past member of the Southern Nevada Estate Council. She is currently a member of the Employee Benefits Committee for the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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