Who We Are
We partner with our clients to form an understanding of their specific industries or individual situations. Together with our clients and their advisors, we craft a plan that will exceed their business and personal needs. We take an active role and address issues before they become problems.
Pennell CPA promotes a culture of continued learning and enhanced relationships that will drive client success. Our team is respectful, enthusiastic, and engaged with our clients. We exist to amaze those we serve.
Values
Our team members are committed to the core values of our organization: Service, Integrity, Quality, Knowledge, Leadership, and Enthusiasm.
Memberships
Pennell CPA is active within the community and is a member of the following organizations:
| Ada Business Association | Forest Hills Business Association | Grand Rapids Jaycees |
| EO West Michigan | Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce | Local First |
Meet the Team
Fred is the Managing Partner of Pennell CPA. He has spent two decades honing his expertise in tax strategies, which he developed alongside his unique experience in business operations, family and business advisory services, and corporate accounting. Fred’s entrepreneurial mindset is a valuable asset in building solutions for our business and individual clients.
Fred enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and his sons, Gavin and Hayden. He also enjoys cycling and being outdoors.
Education:
Saginaw Valley State University
Bachelor of Professional Accountancy
Lake Superior State University
Criminal Justice and Accounting
Memberships:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
Thomas joined Pennell CPA as a Partner. Thomas began his public accounting career with Ernst & Young, where he provided tax planning, compliance, and consulting services to entrepreneurs, affluent families, trusts, partnerships, and corporations. Since joining Pennell CPA, Thomas has continued to focus on working with entrepreneurs and business owners. Thomas is also a board member of the Ada Business Association.
Thomas enjoys spending time on Gun Lake with his wife, Amy, daughter, Ella and son, Elijah.
Education:
Michigan State University
Master of Science in Accounting
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Accounting
Memberships:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
Denice joined Pennell CPA with over 25 years of public accounting experience. She began her career with BDO before working at two other local firms over the years. Denice has tax planning and compliance experience with a broad range of clients from small business to high net worth individuals.
Denice enjoys spending time with her husband, Geoff and four children, Alex, Thomas, Katie and Mary. She also enjoys playing golf and spending time outdoors.
Education:
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Accounting
Memberships:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
Patrick Patton, CPA
PrincipalPat merged his own CPA firm with Pennell CPA. Pat has over 30 years of professional experience helping small businesses, individuals, trusts, and estates with tax and accounting matters.
Outside the office, Pat and his wife, Vicki, enjoy visiting grandchildren in Detroit and Seattle, cooking with friends, and activities at church.
Education:
University of Michigan
Master in Business Administration
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Accounting
Memberships:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
Ron joined Pennell CPA after serving as the Director of Domestic and International Tax at It Works Global, (It Works) a multinational company. Prior to It Works, Ron spent over 15 years working in public accounting. During this time, he created and implement tax planning strategies and performed various compliance services for entrepreneurs, small businesses and individuals. Ron currently spends much of his day consulting with clients and others in the public accounting field on multi-state tax concerns including sales, use and business taxation issues.
In addition to his day to day activities, Ron has taught several seminars on federal, and multi-state tax topics for businesses and individuals and was an adjunct professor with local universities, teaching in the areas of accounting and tax.
Ron is car guy who enjoys puttering with domestic and import sports cars. Ron is always on the lookout for the next one.
Education:
Western Michigan University
Masters of Business Administration
Aquinas College
Bachelors of Science in Business Administration
Memberships:
Michigan Associate of Certified Public Accountants
J. Scott Ward, J.D.
PrincipalScott joined Pennell CPA after working in public accounting and various Fortune 500 companies. He began public accounting at Ernst & Young and later Grant Thornton where he helped public and privately held corporations with tax compliance and utilizing R&D credits. Scott has worked for Verizon, The Walt Disney Company, and Wyndham Destinations, where he worked on federal and multistate and local tax compliance, tax audits, and SEC accounting for income taxes.
Scott enjoys cycling, spending time on the water, or just being outdoors.
Education:
Michigan State University College of Law
Juris Doctor, Concentration in Tax
University of Phoenix Florida
Bachelors of Science in Business, Accounting
Memberships:
The State Bar of Michigan
The Florida Bar
Brian serves our commercial and real estate clients with accounting and tax return preparation. Brian’s experience includes bookkeeping, accounting, and individual and business tax compliance. Brian holds an MBA from Davenport University.
bfurness@pennellcpa.com
Linda Duhon
Payroll ManagerLinda has spent over 20 years working in the payroll field. Her experience includes payroll processing, payroll tax filing, new client implementations of various payroll modules, including, Human Resource Management, Benefit Enrollment, Recruitment and Time & Attendance. Prior to joining our Pennell team, Linda worked as the Director of Payroll Operations at a large regional CPA firm. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Accounting from Grand Valley State University.
lduhon@pennellcpa.com
Katie provides tax compliance, accounting, and payroll services to both our individual and business clients. Prior to joining our team, Katie worked as an auditor at a large regional CPA firm. Katie’s industry experience includes construction, restaurants, municipalities, and universities. Katie holds an MBA from Davenport University.
kmadison@pennellcpa.com
Laureen Roman
Senior AccountantLaureen has over 20 years of experience in accounting and tax services. She enjoys working closely with our clients to understand their particular situations and provide tailored support. Laureen supports our clients with accounting, tax, and family office services. She is proficient with both Sage 50 Accounting and QuickBooks software systems.
lroman@pennellcpa.com
Alissa Molina, CPA
Staff AccountantAlissa supports our clients with individual and business tax compliance and accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Spring Arbor University. Alissa enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking tacos and drawing.
amolina@pennellcpa.com
Amber Kaludis
Senior AccountantAmber supports our clients with individual and business tax compliance, accounting and family office services. She holds an MBA from Davenport University.
akaludis@pennellcpa.com
Austin Roberts
Staff AccountantAustin supports our clients with individual and business tax compliance. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. Austin is a Cavalry Scout/Infantrymen with United Stated Army National Guard. Austin interned with Pennell CPA during the 2019 tax season and has returned for the 2020 tax season.
aroberts@pennellcpa.com
Danielle Nauta
Staff AccountantDanielle supports our clients with business and individual tax compliance and accounting. She holds a Masters of Accountancy from Davenport University.
dnauta@pennellcpa.com
Jarred Riley
Senior AccountantJarred supports our clients with individual and business tax compliance and accounting. He holds an MBA from Davenport University.
jriley@pennellcpa.com
Katherine Christian
Staff AccountantKatherine supports our clients with individual and business tax compliance and accounting services. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Accountancy from Davenport University.
kchristian@pennellcpa.com
Courtney Pontious
Staff Accountant
Courtney supports our clients with business and individual tax compliance and accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Transylvania University.
Courtney enjoys being on the water and spending time with her friends and family.
Matthew Sulkanen
Staff AccountantMatthew supports our clients with individual and business tax compliance and accounting. He holds a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy and Economics Minor from Aquinas College. Matthew enjoys golfing, country music, and spending time with friends and family.
msulkanen@pennellcpa.com
Adam Holka, MBA
Director of Operations
Adam joined Pennell CPA after finding his niche in public accounting operations. His background is in operations, process improvement, and project management. His is comfortable aligning and implementing new processes or ideas with key stakeholders. Adam obtained his bachelor’s degree from Aurora University (IL) while he was a four-year Captain of the Men’s Lacrosse team. Early in his career, he simultaneously worked full time and completed his MBA from Elmhurst University (IL).
When Adam is not spending time with his wife Lisa, and sons Wesley and Calvin, you can find him at the golf course or in the weight room.
Angela Sikkema
Director of First ImpressionsAngela serves clients and the office through scheduling and handling administrative matters.
asikkema@pennellcpa.com
Colby Craig
Business Support ManagerColby supports the staff and serves our clients with her management and customer service background. In her free time Colby enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family.
ccraig@pennellcpa.com
Jennifer Pennell
Director of First ImpressionsJennifer helped create Pennell CPA from the beginning. She has prior experience as a bank branch manager. During peak seasons, Jennifer manages the flow of work through the office, and is often the first person to greet our clients. In the off season, you will find Jennifer at many community events, sharing her talents and the "culture of service" prevalent in our firm.
jpennell@pennellcpa.com
Conner Pitsch
Operations GeneralistConner supports the staff and serves our clients with his customers service background. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing sports and spending time with his wife Hannah, friends, and family.
cpitsch@pennellcpa.com