LEADERSHIP

Keith T. Towns has 30+ years of financial accounting experience. He has specialized in small business consulting, including month-end close, establishment of accounting policies and accounting system assessment.

Towns’ experience includes individuals in the sports & entertainment industry and real estate development industry as well as other diverse sectors of the business community. Mr. Towns holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

LEADERSHIP

James W. Lane has also served the accounting profession for 19 years. He worked his way from Administrative Staff Accountant turned Senior Tax Accountant with Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis, Missouri to Senior Associate and then Accounting Manager with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP.

Lane’s experience includes everything from non-profit organizations to public utilities. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Gene Hilliard has over 15 years of experience working in the financial services industry with companies including Bank of America, Charles Schwab and AssetMark Investment Services Inc.

As a member of the Emerge Financial Group Team, Gene serves our clients by analyzing their specific financial needs, designing a personalized program to fit those needs, and offering the added security that comes from his careful monitoring of each phase of their process.

Hilliard holds a Bachelor of Art’s degree and is pursuing the CFP designation.

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CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER

Henry Gusman is a leader when it comes to complex, independent internal audits. His strengths include the improvement of internal processes, risk management, corporate governance of internal processes and internal controls. He has a strong history of success in partering with management and working cross-departmentally to drive organizational improvements. Gusman has independently led and managed Internal Audit and Sarbanes-Oxley departments with budgets of over $6 million. He is particularly adept at managing geographically dispersed teams.

Mr. Gusman is a Certified Public Accountant with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, as well as other professional and community organizations.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Sonya Ruffin has many years of experience in marketing and public relations. She comes to Emerge Financial Group to round out services offered to our clients. Sonya specializes in communications initiatives that strengthen your presence in the global marketplace – including branding, graphic design, web development, social media, and media relations.

Ms. Ruffin has earned the distinction of Accredited in Public Relations (APR), a mark of distinction bestowed by the Universal Accreditation Board for public relations professionals.

Sonya has served in the transportation infrastructure, state government, entertainment, and non-profit industries.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

Czarina Reyes is a Certified Public Accountant who specializes in full-cycle accounting operations, financial reporting, and month-end close management. Her expertise spans accounts payable/receivable, balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement preparation. Dedicated to client success, she delivers accurate reporting, streamlined financial processes, and timely insights that drive informed business decisions.

Highly proficient in multi-client environments, Ms. Reyes manages high-volume transactions using industry-standard tools including QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, Bill.com, Ramp, Brex, and Rillet. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and reliability, she brings clarity and consistency to complex financial systems. Czarina holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy as well as the credentials of Certified Public Accountant and Certified Tax Technician.

SENIOR TAX PREPARER

Ronie Zhang is an experienced and knowledgeable accountant who can help you save money and grow your business. Along with her BBA, Ronie has over 25 years of experience in accounting management. This experience has given her a deep understanding of the complexities of both domestic and international finance and taxation. Ronie brought her expertise to bear as successful bookkeeper and tax preparer. Ms. Zhang is also an Enrolled Agent, which means she is licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

But Ronie is more than just a numbers whiz. She is a passionate professional who is dedicated to helping businesses succeed, and she enjoys finding creative solutions to complex tax problems.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Joann brings a powerful combination of analytical precision and strategic oversight to financial operations, backed by more than 15 years of diverse experience across accounting and financial services. Specializing in transforming complex, high-volume data into actionable business insights, she has built a distinguished career navigating high-stakes corporate environments. Her extensive background spans pivotal roles as an Internal Auditor, Chief Compliance Officer, and Senior Accountant, giving her a unique 360-degree view of risk management, corporate governance, and audit-ready bookkeeping.

Highly adept at streamlining workflows and modernizing financial systems, Joann holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and is fully credentialed as a certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and Xero Advisor. She excels at establishing rigorous internal controls while maintaining the flexibility needed to support growing businesses. Outside of balancing the books, Joann is an avid adventure traveler who thrives under pressure—a calm-under-fire mindset she lightheartedly attributes to her love of immersive K-Drama marathons.

ACCOUNT MANAGER

For Aniela, accounting is more than just balancing financial records, it’s a lifelong passion for numbers and a commitment to operational excellence. Originally from Venezuela, Aniela holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and has been deeply immersed in the financial sector since 2006. Beginning her professional journey as a bookkeeper within an accounting firm, she spent two decades mastering the critical nuances of business finance, evolving into a highly organized and reliable asset for multi-client environments.

Her robust skill set spans comprehensive payroll administration, meticulous accounts payable workflows, and efficient accounts receivable management. Known for her super detail-oriented approach, she takes pride in uncovering efficiencies and bringing order to complex data stacks. Aniela’s signature mark, "G2," reflects her deep-seated enthusiasm for numerical precision. As a professional who passionately loves learning new things and conquering new challenges, she is currently leveraging her extensive experience toward earning her CPA designation.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Penny brings over thirty years of banking experience to Emerge Financial Group. She started as a teller and worked her way to a supervisory role. She has also served as a supervisor in the Insurance, Research and Asset Recovery and Consumer Products areas of banking. She has worked for banking institutions such as Bank of the West, Bank of America and Napa Valley Bank. Penny is a proud mother of two and a grandmother of five whose favorite activities are those she shares with family and friends.

QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER

Linda Morgan Taylor has over 30 years of business experience in Telecommunications, having started as an Operator for Pacific Telephone Company and working through the ranks to a Supervisory position and later to a Management Position with AT&T. Her background includes management in Switched Services, Engineering and Operations departments. Also, she provided support to the Accounting Department with Budgets and Payroll Services within AT&T Company. Linda worked with a Law Firm assisting with Probate, Medical Malpractice and Criminal cases.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Driven by a commitment to growth, service, and excellence, this dedicated administrative professional leverages more than a decade of high-level support experience to streamline operations for executive leadership. LaTonya began her career as a Legal Assistant, spending over ten years working closely with attorneys to navigate complex cases, manage competing priorities, and master the nuances of confidentiality and relationship-building. Transitioning her versatile skill set into the financial sector, Ms. Wade now serves as Executive Assistant where she seamlessly manages executive schedules, coordinates projects, and facilitates critical communications. Celebrated for her meticulous attention to detail, calm under pressure, and dependability, she takes immense pride in acting as a trusted partner and resource who creates lasting value and helps the team she supports to succeed.

CO-FOUNDER, EMERITUS

Doris Chatman has 19 years of financial accounting experience. She specializes in small business consulting including month-end close, establishment of accounting policies and system assessment. Ms. Chatman has extensive experience in the technology and health care industries.

Chatman spent seven years at Arthur Andersen where she was a manager in Small Business Consulting. She also has served as a Finance Manager for Agilent Technologies. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting