Meet Our Team

Allen is a Partner in Hancock Askew’s Savannah office and has over 12 years of experience in public accounting. His primary focus lies in providing financial statement audits, reviews and compilations for a variety of industries, including both publicly traded and privately held companies. Allen also performs business valuation and transaction advisory services and has extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions, estate and gift tax, buy-sell agreements, purchase price allocations and impairment tests.

Before beginning his career at Hancock Askew, Allen graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Allen also serves as Treasurer of the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, Inc.

In memoriam of our lost Partner, colleague and friend.

September 28, 1971 – December 26, 2019

Carolyn is a Partner at Hancock Askew and has been serving clients for over 18 years in the areas of tax, financial planning and management services. Her clients include individuals, fiduciaries, partnerships and corporations. Carolyn specializes in high net worth individual tax, family-owned businesses, real estate, estate and gift tax, and fiduciary tax.

Carolyn is a graduate of the University of Alabama, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Tax Accounting. She began her career at Arthur Andersen’s Atlanta office and then went on to work for Deloitte in their Private Client Advisors Group before joining Hancock Askew in 2004. Carolyn is a member of both the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

An active member of the community, Carolyn is a member of the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, the Savannah Estate Planning Council, Armstrong Planned Giving Council and the Rotary Club of Savannah. She has also taken on the role of the Rotarians Play it Forward Treasurer. Carolyn was previously involved with the William Jay Society and 13th Colony, and has served on the Board of the Rape Crisis Center and was their Treasurer from 2006-2008.

Chad is a Partner at Hancock Askew and has 20 years of experience in public accounting. As a Partner, he leads the firms risk assurance and advisory practice, serves as a technical accounting expert and helps fast growing private companies with best practices pertaining to accounting policies and procedures. His experience includes Sarbanes-Oxley consultation, advising on technical accounting issues and assisting companies through the initial public offering process. Chad routinely holds seminars for fast-growing private companies pertaining to the IPO preparation and SEC requirements, and also on the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance process. He has consulted with more than 10 companies over the past 5 years on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

Chad received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia and his Master’s in Accounting from the University of Virginia. Before joining Hancock Askew, he spent eight years at EY in their Atlanta office, where he coordinated audits for both public and private companies, and worked more than one year at a firm that Chad founded that focused on technical accounting issues and best practices as it relates to process improvement. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Georgia Institute of Certified Public Accountants (GSCPA), the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), and the Institute of Internal Audit (IIA). Chad’s dual focus in both accounting and finance provides him a solid understanding of business and accounting fundamentals, which he uses to provide clients with value-added consultations in order to address their needs.

Greg Ameden is Partner at Hancock Askew and leads the firm’s Information Technology (IT) related internal audit, risk advisory, and System and Organization Controls (SOC) reporting services. He has over 15 years of experience working in various IT environments; most recently 10 years at public accounting and advisory firms. Advising and assisting many organizations from a range of industries has enabled Greg to develop a deep understanding of business processes, operational control, and risk management principles.

Greg helps Hancock Askew clients identify and evaluate IT risk, implement cost-effective controls and monitoring strategies, improve execution and performance, and provide assurance to their customers and other external parties. Some example areas where he can provide assistance include SOC examinations, enterprise and IT risk assessments, IT risk management programs, IT internal audit co-sourcing or augmentation, compliance examination readiness assessment and remediation, policies and procedures design and documentation, and design/oversight/execution of controls testing programs (e.g. for Sarbanes-Oxley).

Greg earned his BA in Communication Arts from Gordon College, and is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. Greg is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), and has obtained his A+ certification, which certifies the competence of service technicians in the computer industry.

Jodi is a Partner in Hancock Askew’s Atlanta office and has over 30 years of public accounting experience. Jodi began her career in Chicago at Price Waterhouse after graduating from Indiana University, with highest distinction, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. In her role, she oversees assurance and advisory services for numerous public and private companies and manages the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) Audit practice. Jodi specializes in audits, researching complex accounting and auditing issues, and SEC and financial reporting.

Jodi is deeply involved in the EBP community. She served on the Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) EBP Audit Quality Center, currently serves the AICPA’s Technical Standards Committee and is a conference speaker at AICPA events and State Society conferences. Jodi holds two advanced AIPCA Certifications, Advanced Defined Contribution and Advanced Defined Pension Plans. She is a founding member and active participant of the BDO Alliance EBP community and a member of the Alliance’s Women’s Resource Group Leadership Team.

Jodi is a Past President and Past Vice-President of WIPs (Women in Pensions) in Georgia. She also holds memberships in the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). Jodi is a licensed CPA in Georgia, Florida and Massachusetts.

John McElderry is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant with over 25 years of professional experience, including tax compliance and planning, mergers and acquisitions, disposal and sell side assistance, initial public offerings, financial statement audits, and SEC filings.

As partner at Hancock Askew, John advises high net worth individuals, as well as small businesses and their owners on financial and tax matters.  He assists small businesses and their owners with financial analysis and guidance on profitability and regulatory compliance as well as performing compilation, review and audit engagements for them.

Prior to joining our team, John started McElderry & Associates in 2005 and recently merged his company with Hancock Askew. Previously, John was a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young, where he served in the Transaction Advisory Services practice both in the Atlanta and London offices.  He planned, supervised, and participated in numerous acquisition and disposal transactions involving entities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Brazil, and China.

John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Georgia.    He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Kristen is Tax Partner at Hancock Askew and has over 18 years of public and private accounting experience. She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from University of Florida and Master of Accountancy from University of South Florida.

Kristen began her career with Deloitte in Atlanta where she had the opportunity to service several Fortune 500 companies. Following her time at Deloitte Kristen became the tax manager for a large, Atlanta based manufacturing company.

Kristen focuses on providing one stop solutions for small to mid-size companies and high net worth individuals. Her expertise includes accounting, bookkeeping, corporate income tax preparation and state and local tax consulting. Kristen’s experience provides a unique insight for her clients, taking into consideration the appropriate accounting treatment for transactions as well as the tax implications that will come into play.

Kristen is a CPA in Florida and is also a Qualified Practitioner in Florida’s Certified Audit Program for sales and use tax. This designation has allowed her to perform sales and use tax audits for several clients on behalf of the Florida Department of Revenue.

Kristen also sits on the board of directors for The Florida Wildlife Corridor and is a member of the leadership council for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Michael is Managing Partner at Hancock Askew and has over 25 years of experience. He has coordinated audits for SEC registrants and privately held companies, including several Fortune 1,000 companies. His services include providing managed accounting and reporting for public equity and debt offerings, business combinations and dispositions; advising internal audit departments on plans and strategies to enhance corporate governance.

Before joining Hancock Askew, Michael spent 13 years with Ernst & Young and 2 years with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in Accounting and is licensed to practice accounting in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. Michael is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Michael is also licensed to determine the value of a business and other projects that need valuation techniques, he is a member of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts.

Michael is passionate about his clients and focuses on helping them address issues and providing advice and consultations. He serves on the Board of the Union Mission of Savannah, Savannah Chamber of Commerce and St. Peter the Apostle Parish and School. He is also a member of the Savannah Executives Association, Savannah CFO Council, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and Legatus.

Michael is a Partner at Hancock Askew and holds over 18 years of experience in public accounting. He serves corporations (both public and private) and partnerships in the areas of income tax and audit services and manages relationships with some of the Firm’s largest clients.  Some industries he specializes in include retail, financial institutions, construction, manufacturing and nonprofit organizations.  Michael has a number of clients with foreign ownership and is well versed in the issues facing companies in this space.  He also serves as engagement partner or quality control partner on both private and public ERISA audits.

Michael received his Bachelor of Arts from Armstrong State University, a Master of Arts from the University of South Carolina and completed an accounting concentration at Georgia Southern University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Patricia is a Partner with over 21 years of experience. She manages individual, entity, nonprofit and trust tax filings, as well as financial statement reviews and compilations. She also has experience with international taxation compliance and planning as it relates to inbound taxation of foreign investors with U.S. income or activities. Patricia’s industry expertise includes real estate, manufacturing and distribution, restaurants and hospitality as well as entrepreneurial or privately-owned businesses.

Patricia is involved in various civic and community organizations. She is Board Member and Treasurer for the Zoo Miami Foundation and a member of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. She is also the President of the Home and School Board of St. Timothy Parish School.

Patricia graduated from Florida International University with a Masters of Accounting. She is a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Russell heads up Hancock Askew’s Atlanta office Business Services Group. He specializes in providing accounting and tax advice to the firm’s closely held business clients and the individuals who own them. He has a particular interest in consulting and coaching business owners in the day to day decisions of running their businesses in order to achieve both their business and personal goals.

Russell received his B.S. in Finance from Auburn University in 1984. While employed at Bank of America (formerly Bank South), he received his B.B.A. in Accounting from Georgia State University. Shortly thereafter, Russell joined the audit staff of Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC). Russell is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of    Certified Public Accountants.

Russell is an Organizer and sat on the Board of Directors for KeyWorth Bank prior to merger with Renasant Bank. He has also served in various leadership roles in the Norcross and Johns Creek Communities where he lives.

Stephen is a Partner at Hancock Askew. He manages a diverse array of tax clients ranging from high wealth individuals, trusts and estates, partnerships and corporations. His extensive experience includes tax compliance and planning for individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts and estates; tax and consulting services for small, mid-sized and large businesses; mergers and acquisitions; business succession planning; and federal and state campaign compliance. Stephen serves clients in a variety of industries including medical practices, professional service firms, insurance agencies, construction companies, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and franchises.

Growing up in a large family of accountants, Stephen followed in his family’s footsteps. He studied at the University of Georgia and graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy in Taxation. He joined Hancock Askew full-time in 2006, after completing a previous internship with the Firm. He is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, Stephen serves on the Boards of the Savannah Community Foundation, GRACE Scholars, and is a founding member and past president of the Fine Gael Society.

Eddie is a Tax Partner in the Atlanta office and currently leads the firm’s tax services for high net worth individuals and families. He specializes in providing proactive tax planning and compliance services for high net worth individuals, retirees, business owners, trusts, estates and charitable entities. In addition, he has extensive experience working with executives with stock-based compensation including stock options, deferred compensation, restricted and performance stock awards and other compensation benefits.

Eddie is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy in Tax. He began his career at Ernst & Young in their Tax Department/PFC Group and was a founding Partner of the firm Jackson, Reece and Scott. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he holds a Personal Financial Specialist designation with the AICPA in recognition of his broad experience and expertise working with the financial needs of high wealth families.

Billy is a Partner at Hancock Askew and the Managing Partner of the firm’s Savannah office.  He has 33 years of experience working in both public accounting and the private sector. Billy’s areas of expertise are corporate and individual income tax planning, business consulting and transaction advice, succession planning and trusts and estates. His business clients include those in construction, manufacturing, retail and service industries.

Billy is a graduate of Georgia Southern University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He has spent his entire career in the accounting profession, twenty-seven years in public accounting as well six years as a controller in the private sector.  Billy is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountant. In addition, he is active in his church and serves on the Board of various community organizations.

As an advisor to his clients, Billy focuses on going above and beyond to help them add value to their business and create a better quality of life for themselves and their families.