Weaver Promotes 16 Professionals to Partner

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 23, 2022) – Weaver, the 35th largest public accounting and advisory firm in the United States, is pleased to announce the promotion of 16 team members, across five offices, to its partnership ranks. Effective June 1, the new partners are Jordan Baker, Greg Dean, Craig Epstein, Blake Fuqua, Trip Hillman, Tigran Hovsapyan, James Jones, Alexis Kennedy, Meredith McKeehan, Mayur Naik, David Nolan, Morgan Page, Tim Savage, Brian Teefey, Deanna Warren and Scott Winkler. 

“We are thrilled to welcome this class of incredibly talented professionals to our partnership,” said Weaver CEO and Managing Partner, John Mackel, CPA. “Each is immensely skilled and has demonstrated outstanding dedication and leadership to our clients and employees. Reflecting the strength of the firm, they represent our many different practice groups, industry groups and locations. We thank them for their commitment to Weaver and know that each will be integral to the firm’s continued success.”  

Jordan Baker, Austin, Texas

Partner, Energy Compliance Services 

Jordan has more than nine years of experience performing engagements on all kinds of transportation fuels and the environmental credits surrounding them. This includes work under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and Gasoline requirements, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, and Quality Assurance Plans for Renewable Natural Gas and liquid fuels. A Certified Internal Auditor, Jordan received a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Southwestern University. 

Greg Dean, Houston, Texas

Partner, Assurance Services

With more than ten years of experience, Greg performs financial statement audits and reviews for private companies. His background is in the oil and gas (upstream and midstream), oilfield services and manufacturing industries. He has experience with International Finance Reporting Standards, as well as auditing business combinations, asset acquisitions and divestitures, and various forms of investments accounted for as cost method, equity method or consolidation, including VIEs. Greg is an active member of Young Professionals in Energy, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TXCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He earned a Master of Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Texas Christian University.

Craig Epstein, Houston, Texas

Partner, International Tax Services

Craig has more than 12 years of experience in public accounting and offers extensive knowledge of complex tax issues, including tax planning and managing tax exposure for U.S. multinational and foreign-owned companies and individuals. His professional background encompasses numerous areas of international tax, including tax compliance, tax provision reviews and audit support, as well as cross-border restructuring and tax planning. A Certified Public Accountant, Craig received a Bachelor of Science in accounting with minors in management information systems and economics from the University of Delaware. He earned his Master of Taxation from Villanova University School of Law.

Blake Fuqua, Dallas, Texas

Partner, State and Local Tax Services

Blake has more than 14 years of experience in state and local tax matters. He navigates a broad range of state and local tax issues including sales tax recovery, audit defense, taxability consulting, voluntary disclosure agreements, tax process improvements and sales tax compliance. He works with clients across several industries including manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, retail and technology. Blake is a certified member (CMI) of the Institute of Professionals in Taxation, which recognizes professional achievement in sales and use taxation. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Oklahoma State University.

Trip Hillman, Dallas, Texas

Partner, IT Advisory Services

Trip has more than a decade of hands-on experience evaluating cybersecurity in a broad range of IT environments. He has consulted with Fortune 100 companies, private equity groups, small enterprises and government entities on security and compliance, and has performed and led more than 200 substantial assessments across hundreds of unique IT environments. He also performs cyber risk assessments, cybersecurity compliance assessments, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests to help companies improve their cybersecurity posture. Trip’s certifications include Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA), GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE), GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN), and the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management information systems from Baylor University.

Tigran Hovasapyan, Los Angeles, California

Partner, Assurance Services

Tigran has more than ten years of experience in public accounting and focuses on audits of financial services clients, including private equity, venture capital and real estate. Additionally, Tigran has experience with registered funds and other audits under PCAOB standards. He has directed and managed audits of alternative investment fund complexes with assets under management ranging from $50 million to $15 billion. He is a member of the AICPA as well as the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CALCPA), Los Angeles chapter. Tigran is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of California and earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and accounting from the University of California, Santa Barbara.   

James Jones, Midland, Texas

Partner, Assurance Services

With a focus on audit, review and agreed-upon procedures engagements, James has more than a decade of experience in public accounting. He works with a wide variety of clients in the energy industry, including companies in the oil and gas, oilfield services, and renewables sectors. His experience includes audits and reviews of privately owned, private equity backed and publicly traded companies. James also performs consulting and litigation support services related to the model form accounting procedures developed by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Society (COPAS). James is an active member of the AICPA, TXCPA and the Petroleum Accountants Society of the Permian Basin. He earned a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Brigham Young University, Idaho and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Idaho.

Alexis Kennedy, Fort Worth, Texas

Partner, IT Advisory Services

Alexis has more than 13 years of experience evaluating IT security in a broad range of environments. She consults with companies of all sizes on security compliance, and performs and leads audits across multiple industries and technology platforms. Her experience includes executing and reporting on SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements, as well as testing entity-level controls for businesses in the health care, professional and business services, technology services and financial services industries. Alexis is a member of the AICPA and Information System Audit and Control Association (ISACA) North Texas chapter. She is a CPA in the states of Texas and Michigan, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), a Certified ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and Certified HITRUST CSF Practitioner (CCSFP). Alexis earned a Master of Science in accounting and information systems and a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Michigan State University.

Meredith McKeehan, Midland, Texas

Partner, Assurance Services

With more than nine years of experience in public accounting, Meredith performs and leads audit, review and compilation engagements for a wide variety of clients in the energy, construction, manufacturing and not-for-profit industries. Her energy and construction experience includes general contractors and electrical and instrumentation grid construction. In the not-for-profit sector, she has served private clubs, foundations and museums. A Certified Public Accountant, Meredith is an active member of the AICPA and TXCPA. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Texas State University. 

Mayur Naik, Dallas, Texas

Partner, State and Local Tax Services

With 14 years of experience in public accounting, Mayur specializes in state and local tax including tax recovery, audit defense, tax process improvements, managed audits and compliance in a wide variety of industries, such as energy, renewables, manufacturing, technology, airline, telecommunications and government. Mayur is a certified member (CMI) of the Institute of Professionals in Taxation. He graduated with two Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from St. Edward’s University, one in accounting and the other in international business.

David Nolan, Houston, Texas

Partner, Tax Services

Focused on corporate and partnership tax planning and compliance, David has more than ten years of experience in public accounting with specialized experience in international, multistate, and opportunity zone planning and compliance matters. A Certified Public Accountant, David is an alumnus of Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business accounting and a Master of Accountancy.

Morgan Page, Houston, Texas

Partner, Digital Transformation and Automation Services

Morgan will serve as a partner in Weaver’s newly formed practice group, Digital Transformation and Automation Services. With more than 13 years of public accounting and industry experience, he works with organizations at all stages of their digital transformation journey, defining and delivering results that are sustainable, scalable and aligned with the needs of the organization. Morgan programs in multiple languages and regularly operates as a subject matter advisor on data visualizations, process automations, application implementations, performing technical analyses and developing data models. He is a Certified Internal Auditor and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Texas, Dallas.

Tim Savage, Dallas, Texas

Partner, Tax Services

Tim provides tax compliance and consulting services for businesses of all sizes. He has ten years of tax accounting experience serving complex public companies, crypto investment funds, startups and closely held entities. Tim leads the blockchain and digital assets practice at Weaver, keeping current with the rapidly evolving industry trends, economic landscape and accounting regulations. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Texas and a Certified Blockchain Finance Professional with the Blockchain Council. He is a member of the AICPA and the TXCPA. Tim earned both a Bachelor and Master of Accountancy from Abilene Christian University.

Brian Teefey, Dallas, Texas

Partner, Transaction Advisory Services

Brian has more than 12 years of experience in professional services, advising clients on accounting, finance and business processes. He has assisted private equity firms, investment banks, owner-operators and strategic middle-market clients on various buy-side and sell-side engagements. His work includes quality of earnings analyses, working capital analyses, carve-out and add-on acquisitions, business process and purchase agreement reviews, and evaluation of internal control structures for various industries. Brian is an active member of the AICPA and earned both a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Kansas.

Deanna Warren, Houston, Texas

Partner, Tax Services

With nearly a decade of public accounting experience, Deanna specializes in tax compliance and planning for corporations, estates, individuals, partnerships, and trusts. She also focuses on gift and estate tax matters. Deanna is a member of the Houston Estate and Financial Forum as well as the Wednesday Tax Forum. A Certified Public Accountant, she is also a member of the AICPA and the TXCPA. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Accountancy from Texas State University in San Marcos.

Scott Winkler, Dallas, Texas

Partner, Assurance Services

Scott has more than ten years of public accounting experience with an emphasis in performing audit and advisory services for investment companies and other entities in the financial services industry. He has particular experience with a variety of private equity, venture, real estate and fund of funds clients, and has directed and managed audits of alternative asset fund complexes with assets under management between $5 million and $20 billion. A Certified Public Accountant, Scott earned a master’s degree in finance and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M University.