Weaver Promotes 12 Professionals to Partner

HOUSTON (June 2, 2026) — National accounting and advisory firm, Weaver, has promoted 12 professionals to partner, effective June 1, 2026. The new partner class represents a diverse group of leaders across the firm’s audit, tax and advisory service lines and reflects Weaver’s continued investment in developing talent, serving clients and supporting growth across its markets.  

The new partners are Robert Crotty, Freddy Fernandez, Matt Higginbotham, Kaci Howell, David Lange, Meghan Matthews, Selina McUmber, Sean Perry, Rawan Sakatan, Rich Steen, Jeff Wada and Rob Whearty. 

“These new partners have consistently demonstrated leadership, a commitment to our culture and a dedication to serving clients at the highest level,” said CEO and Managing Partner John Mackel. “Each of these team members has played an important role in the growth of our firm while helping develop our people, strengthen client relationships and expand the services we provide. We are proud to recognize this important career milestone and look forward to their continued contributions in the years ahead.” 

Additional information on each partner is available via the links below. 

Robert Crotty, CPA | Dallas, Texas

Partner, Tax – Financial Services

Robert Crotty has nearly a decade of experience managing complex tax engagements from planning through completion, addressing a wide range of federal, state and international reporting requirements. He focuses on tax services for alternative investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds and hybrid investment structures. In addition to serving clients across the investment management, real estate and energy sectors, Robert plays a key role in enhancing operational efficiency and training initiatives within Weaver’s investment funds tax team.

 

Freddy Fernandez, CPA | Dallas, Texas

Partner, Audit – Financial Services

Freddy Fernandez has more than 10 years of public accounting experience and has spent his career at Weaver serving clients in the investment management and financial services industries. He leads financial statement audits for private equity, hedge, venture capital and real estate funds, as well as broker-dealers and other investment-related entities. Freddy’s experience includes working with complex investment portfolios and valuation methodologies across a broad range of asset classes and fund structures. He has played a key role in the continued growth and expansion of Weaver’s Financial Services practice in Dallas.

 

Matt Higginbotham, CPA | Woodland Hills, California

Partner, Audit – Financial Services

Matt Higginbotham has more than a decade of experience serving clients in the alternative investment and financial services industries across the United States and Europe. He leads audits for private equity, venture capital and hedge funds ranging from newly launched entities to large multinational organizations with significant assets under management. Matt also has extensive experience evaluating complex investments and valuation methodologies, particularly for Level 3 assets and other specialized financial instruments.

 

Kaci Howell, CPA, ABV, CVA | Virtual Office

Partner, Financial Advisory – Valuation Services

Kaci Howell has nearly 20 years of experience providing valuation services for both public and private companies across a variety of industries, with a strong foundation in financial reporting and fair value analyses. She has played a significant role in the continued development of the firm’s valuation practice over her tenure at Weaver. Kaci also serves the firm in a broader operational capacity, working closely with FAS leadership to create visibility into performance, support decision-making and promote consistency and appropriate risk management, while contributing across the Advisory practice through National Office initiatives.

 

David Lange, CIA, CBDA | Dallas, Texas

Partner, Governance, Risk and Compliance Services

David Lange has 20 years of experience helping organizations strengthen and evolve their risk, governance and assurance functions. He works primarily with clients in the commercial, asset management and digital assets sectors, advising on SOX program design and remediation, internal audit and broader risk management strategies. David is recognized for helping leadership teams align financial, operational and technology risk considerations across the organization while building programs designed to support long-term growth and changing business needs.

 

Meghan Matthews, CPA | Dallas, Texas

Partner, Tax – Financial Services

Meghan Matthews has more than a decade of public accounting experience focused on tax compliance and consulting services for the alternative investment industry. She works with private equity, hedge and venture capital funds, along with related management entities, providing tailored tax advisory and compliance support across the investment lifecycle. Meghan also advises general partners and high-net-worth individuals on complex tax matters connected to fund operations and investment activities.

 

Selina McUmber, MAI, CRE, MRICS | Fort Worth, Texas

Partner, Financial Advisory – Real Estate Valuation Services

Selina McUmber has more than 20 years of experience providing commercial real estate valuation services for financial reporting and lending purposes. Her focus areas cover the valuation of office, industrial, retail, multifamily and mixed-use properties across the United States and Latin America, and she serves a wide range of institutional and investment-focused clients. Selina also works closely with Weaver’s national real estate industry team to support valuation engagements for real estate investment funds and other specialized assets.

 

Sean Perry, CPA | Little Falls, New Jersey

Partner, Audit – Labor and Benefits

Sean Perry has more than 20 years of public accounting experience, with a focus on employee benefit plan audits over the last 15 years. He serves clients across industries including financial services, technology, entertainment, commercial and retail, leading audits for both single-employer and multiemployer plans. Sean’s experience spans defined contribution, defined benefit, health and welfare plans and ESOP engagements, where he helps clients navigate complex reporting and compliance requirements.

 

Rawan Sakatan, CPA | Pasadena, California

Partner, Audit – Commercial

Rawan Sakatan has more than 10 years of public accounting experience providing assurance services across the energy, manufacturing, consumer products and technology sectors. She has significant experience leading audits for both public and private companies and is currently leading and expanding the beauty and wellness practice. In addition to client service, Rawan contributes to firmwide learning and development initiatives and supports the continued growth of Weaver’s India audit practice.

 

Rich Steen, EA | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Partner, Tax – Provisions

Rich Steen has more than 14 years of experience in tax provision and compliance services, including time in both public accounting and industry roles. He primarily works with corporate clients in the manufacturing, financial services and insurance sectors, and has significant experience in the leasing and automotive sectors. He provides full-service support for tax provision calculations, compliance processes and corporate income tax reporting requirements. Rich also helps develop streamlined processes and technical guidance that enhance efficiency and consistency across income tax engagements.

 

Jeff Wada, CPA | Dallas, Texas

Partner, Audit – Public Sector

Jeff Wada has more than 12 years of public accounting experience serving government entities and public sector organizations. His work focuses on financial statement audits and single audits for municipalities, school districts, counties and public retirement systems, while also supporting clients with ACFR preparation and compliance requirements. In addition to his client service responsibilities, Jeff contributes to Weaver’s quality and risk management efforts and is recognized for his ability to simplify complex accounting and regulatory guidance.

 

Rob Whearty, CPA | Austin, Texas

Partner, Tax – Private Client Services

Rob Whearty has more than 12 years of experience providing tax planning and advisory services to privately held businesses, high-net-worth individuals and family groups. His work spans a broad range of areas including business structuring, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, estate and gift planning and individual taxation. Rob also advises clients across industries including private equity, hospitality, real estate and professional services while supporting complex tax matters for executives, family offices and business owners.