Outstanding Employees Recognized for Excellence in Service, Innovation, and Professional Leadership at Annual Firm Retreat
December 5, 2024 – Rea & Associates, a leading national business advisory and accounting firm, proudly announces the recipients of its 2024 Spotlight and Technical Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards, presented during the firm’s annual retreat on November 7-8, celebrate employees who demonstrate exceptional dedication to client service, innovation, community involvement, and professional excellence.
Mark McKinley, CPA, CEO of Rea & Associates, stated, “Our Spotlight Awards recognize team members who truly embody our firm’s values and commitment to excellence. This year’s recipients have shown remarkable dedication to our clients, our profession, and our communities.”
Award Recipients:
The Rea Way Award Charley Garwood is recognized for exemplifying the firm’s core values through his unwavering positivity and dedication to organizational excellence. As an ambassador for the firm, Garwood consistently demonstrates reliability and commitment to providing superior support, ensuring operational efficiency while maintaining an enthusiastic approach to his responsibilities.
Marcia Stutzman Award for Community Service Hannah Becker receives this honor for her exceptional commitment to community service and caring spirit. Her consistent volunteerism, genuine concern for others, and nurturing personality exemplify the award’s legacy of giving back to the community. Becker’s positive influence extends beyond her professional duties, setting an outstanding example of service and dedication.
Chet Stocker Award for Service to the Profession Lindsey Kiser is honored for her significant contributions to advancing the accounting profession. Her development of an innovative onboarding program has revolutionized how new employees learn to guide clients to success. Kiser’s leadership, approachability, and dedication to empowering both clients and colleagues demonstrate her commitment to elevating professional standards.
Richard Rea Award for Client Service Sandi Hinman earns this recognition for her extraordinary dedication to client service. Her humble approach, genuine care for clients and team members, and unwavering commitment to service with integrity reflect the principles established by the firm’s founder. Hinman’s personalized approach to customer service and willingness to support her teammates exemplify excellence in client relations.
Tim McDaniel Award for Innovation Renan Morais is celebrated for his innovative contributions to firm operations. His development of automation solutions has significantly enhanced efficiency for the administrative and IT teams, saving hundreds of work hours and streamlining processes. Morais’s creative approach and technical expertise continue the legacy of innovation championed by Tim McDaniel.
Technical Excellence Awards Rea recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to maintaining the firm’s high standards of technical expertise across core disciplines:
Christopher Axene is recognized for his extensive tax knowledge and dedication to mentoring. With over 20 years of experience at Rea, Axene’s comprehensive understanding of regulatory codes and ability to develop complex tax strategies has made him an invaluable resource for both clients and colleagues at all levels.
Andrew James is honored for his innovative improvements to firm processes, particularly in the 1099 project area. His proactive approach led to a 15% reduction in processing time while handling 25% more 1099s, demonstrating significant efficiency gains for the firm.
Brooke Johnson is acknowledged for her thorough investigation and resolution of payroll tax calculation issues. Her dedicated work with multiple clients and QuickBooks Online support led to system improvements that enhanced accuracy and client satisfaction.
Jacob Self is recognized for his expertise development in Uniform Grants Guidance (UGG) audits. His proactive approach to sharing knowledge has expanded the firm’s capacity in this technical area, improving scheduling flexibility and enhancing client service delivery.