People On The Move

New partner at MMA

Shannon Bachara Salinas has been promoted to partner at Mathieson, Moyski, Austin & Co. of Lisle.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shannon to the leadership team,” said Ron Austin, CPA and managing partner. “Her exceptional dedication and expertise have significantly impacted the growth of our firm.”

Salinas, originally from Schaumburg, joined the firm in 2015 and has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, focusing on audits servicing insurance risk pools, employee benefit plans, professional services, construction contractors, and not-for-profit organizations.

She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Illinois CPA Society. She now lives in Phoenix.

Jeff Brandt appointed as CEO of Xamin

Lincolnshire-based Xamin, a leading IT consulting company and subsidiary of Mowery & Schoenfeld, tapped Jeff Brandt to replace the company’s founder and former CEO Jonathan Smith starting Dec. 11.

This transition reflects the company's commitment to driving innovation, expanding service offerings, and further solidifying its position as a key player in the IT services and consulting industry.

“Jonathan Smith and Pete Smothers (co-founders) have built a successful business atop a foundation of well-trained, reliable, and courteous colleagues who have consistently delivered and supported a host of IT solutions for years,” said Brandt. “I am fortunate to join a company with so many strengths.”

Brandt brings more than 30 years of experience, most recently as the president of William Frick & Company, having successfully spearheaded growth strategies, operational enhancements, and client satisfaction initiatives in his previous roles.

Xamin also hired Suraj Prakash as its chief technology officer. Prakash will maintain oversight of the company’s core products while developing and delivering technologies to help Xamin’s clients extract the most value from their technology investment.

Porte Brown names five new partners

Elk Grove Village-based Porte Brown LLC accounting firm recently named five new partners: Antonino Bondi, Danielle Ciechanski, Mark Dekhtyar, William Rothmann, and Rachel VonDrasek.

Bondi, of Elk Grove Village, leads Porte Brown’s Retirement Services Practice Group. He has more than 17 years experience providing tax consulting, Third Party Administration, accounting, and advisory services for individuals and closely held businesses. He is a licensed CPA and serves as treasurer for the GOA Regional Business Association and Rotary Club of Elk Grove and is a trustee of the Maria SS Laurentana Society.

Ciechanski, of Plainfield, leads Porte Brown’s Elevate365 Outsourced Accounting & Advisory Services team. She has more than 14 years experience of providing accounting, advisory, and audit services to closely held businesses and not-for-profit organizations. She also is a member of the audit services and nonprofit industry teams and is based in the firm’s Woodridge office. She was awarded the Illinois CPA Society’s Excel Bronze Medal for her outstanding achievement on the CPA Exam and was recognized in 2021 as a Woman to Watch by the Illinois CPA Society. She also is a licensed CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Illinois CPA Society.

Dekhtyar, of Hawthorn Woods, is a member of Porte Brown’s accounting team in the Elk Grove Village office. He also leads the firm’s training and development department. He has more than 11 years experience providing tax consulting and accounting services for individuals and closely held businesses. He is a licensed CPA and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Dekhtyar serves as treasurer for the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce. He also is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Latvian-American Chamber of Commerce.

Rothmann, of Volo, is a member of Porte Brown’s Tax Department and is the partner in charge of the firm’s McHenry office. He has more than 16 years experience providing tax consulting and accounting services for individuals and closely held businesses. He also is a member of the firm’s multi-state practice group and provides multi-state compliance and research to the firm’s clients. He is a licensed CPA.

VonDrasek, of Inverness, leads Porte Brown’s Multi State Tax Department where she provides multi-state compliance and research to the firm’s clients. She also is a member of the tax services team and works out of the firm’s headquarters in Elk Grove Village. She has more than 18 years experience providing tax consulting and accounting services for individuals and closely held businesses. She previously was a tax manager at Plante Moran for nearly five years. She is a licensed CPA and serves as treasurer for the Schaumburg Business Association. She also is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.