Loni Woodley, CPA is the Managing Partner of ATLAS CPAs & Advisors PLLC, an ATLAS Navigators LLC Firm. Before ATLAS came to be, Loni cut his teeth in public accounting as a Senior Manager at McGladery. Loni then spent time as a CFO for a large organization before starting and becoming Partner at the first ATLAS location in Colorado, then known as Accounting For Success. One location quickly grew to two which quickly grew to now 17 locations ten years later through successful mergers and acquisitions. Throughout his years in public accounting, Loni has honed his skills in accounting and tax, merging in other offices, Partners and key team members and transforming ATLAS to what it is today. ATLAS is now focused on the greater need of its clients, as a true advisory and consultative partner to help them steady their day-to-day while focusing on the big picture. The promise of ATLAS to clients is to give their business the same attention they do and the firm was built around the motto, Advisors That Listen And Serve. When Loni is not working with clients, he enjoys cheering on his two kids' alma mater, Oklahoma State, spending time with his wife and friends. He also enjoys time 10,000+ feet above as a pilot of a small airplane.

After growing up in New Delhi, India, Nitin Gupta, CPA moved to the states in 1990. Nitin began as a bookkeeper and transitioned to tax work in 1993 in California. In 2003, he left the LA traffic behind and moved to Phoenix, AZ where he saw a need for a well versed CPA to advise clients. He has over 25 years of experience in all accounting services on the personal and business side. After merging his firm with ATLAS in 2017, Nitin has contributed to the growth of ATLAS on the merger and acquisition side as well as the addition of new service lines within the firm. Nitin has a passion for consulting and helping his clients grow and achieve their personal and business goals. He continues to live his life on his steadfast belief to never forget where one comes from.

Eric is the partner in charge of the ATLAS firm in Denver and works with the other Colorado ATLAS firms. He is also a partner in the firm’s affiliate Capital Advisors LLC handling business brokerage transactions. Prior to entering public accounting in 1987, Eric worked as the CFO for a distribution company. This gave him a strong foundation in dealing with the financial issues that business owners need help with to succeed. His passion for helping business owners led him to develop the Atlas outsourced CFO services department, giving assistance with financial management, budget and cash flow planning, ownership transition issues and human resource matters. Eric completed his undergraduate work at the University of Colorado Boulder and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Eric lives in southeast Denver with his wife Sally. He enjoys travel adventures with her and is a long time running enthusiast. He gets an immense amount of satisfaction in striving to have a positive impact on everyone he knows – be it through business, family, friendships, or his longtime volunteer work for peace initiatives.

Karl M. Killmer, CPA, CVA, is a Regional Managing Partner of ATLAS CPAs & Advisors PLLC, an ATLAS Navigators LLC Firm. Before ATLAS came to be, Karl cut his teeth in public accounting as a Partner-in-Charge at the Casper Office of McGladery & Pullen LLP. Karl then spent time as a member of Macy & Associates, LLC, before starting and becoming Partner-in-Charge of Killmer & Associates, P.C. In 2020, Karl became a Partner-in-Charge of the Casper office for ATLAS CPAs & Advisors PLLC. Karl is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Wyoming Society of Certified Public Accountants (WSCPA), and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA). Karl Killmer is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Valuation Analyst with over 40 years’ experience in auditing, cost accounting, income tax preparation and planning, business and strategic planning, estate planning, income tax analysis, and related financial consultation services. When Karl is not working with clients, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoys the occasional round of golf, boating and reading.

Bio coming soon!

Brendan J. Kennedy is a highly recognized Business Valuation Expert within the state of Arizona and is a partner with ATLAS CPAs and Advisors PLLC. Mr. Kennedy is responsible for all business valuation and litigation support services within the firm and brings over 35 years in finance and accounting, with emphasis in business valuation, litigation support, financial analysis and presentation, forecasting, and mergers and acquisitions. He serves clients in many different industries including manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, retail, healthcare, law, real estate and other professional services. Mr. Kennedy has also testified as an expert witness in the area of business valuation and economic damages in both state and federal courts. Mr. Kennedy’s certifications and credentials are a testament to his devotion to the profession to which he has dedicated his career. Below is a list of Mr. Kennedy’s academic achievements, professional credentials and affiliations. Academic Achievements and Professional Credentials - Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), American Institute of CPAs, 2008 - Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), American Society of Appraisers, 2004 - Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), American Institute of CPAs, 1999 - Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, 1998 - Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Arizona, 1985 - Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Iowa State University, 1983 Brendan grew up on a farm in Northwest Iowa along with his mom and 10 brothers and sisters. At 93 his mom still lives on the farm but she likes to spend a bit of time in Phoenix in the winter.

Kelli Berardi joined the ATLAS Partner ranks in September of 2019 right before finishing her Masters in Accounting and Finance. Kelli is a Partner in our Arizona offices, splitting time between the Northwest Phoenix and Scottsdale offices, while also working on projects for clients across the firm's locations. When she's not working with the tax team or clients, you can find her watching all the forensic and true crime shows. She's a self-proclaimed true crime junky!

Before making the jump into the public accounting world and after graduating from Concordia College in MN with his BA in Accounting, Kelly was a Controller and CFO of a residential construction company for 11 years. Kelly now has over 13 years of public accounting experience, 7 of those with ATLAS. Kelly grew at ATLAS as a Manager in our Denver office then switched to the Colorado Springs office as a Partner after that, all while getting to know our team and clients well. Outside of the office walls, Kelly enjoys watching sports, playing golf and spending time with his wife, 3 daughters and dogs. Kelly Kleven, CPA, is a member of the AICPA and COCPA.

Bio coming soon!

Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Colorado State University. Prior to joining our firm, she was an accountant in the private industry for eight years. She and her husband own L1 Automotive, an automotive repair business in Northern Colorado, giving her invaluable and unique insight into the day-to-day challenges and responsibilities faced by the small business owner. A member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Colorado Society of CPAs, Nicole says her favorite part of her career with ATLAS is working with, and getting to know, the wonderful clients that we serve–getting acquainted with their families and watching them change and grow every year. Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons at home in the foothills of Larimer County, where they love seeing the wildlife native to the area. As a family they enjoy camping, boating and 4-wheeling. Favorite vacation destinations include Moab and Lake Powell in Utah.

Michael Abbate is an ATLAS LPG (Lifestyle Planning Group) Partner. Michael’s background spans 23 years of industry experience, which began on institutional capital markets and commodities trading floors around the world, including New York, Chicago, London and Paris. He made the switch to individual and small business planning and consulting nearly 15 years ago, desiring to connect with clients on a personal level that impacted their families and businesses, rather than overnight and across the oceans.

Gary Mitchell, CPA, is a Tax Partner out of our Amarillo location. With 35 years of experience, his specialties are income taxation and planning for commercial entities, corporations, individuals and trusts, including S-corporations, closely held companies and accounting method changes. Gary stays very involved in his community as Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Amarillo, a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and more.

Thomas Justiss, CPA, is a Partner out of our Amarillo, TX office. Thomas has been with the Amarillo location since 1999. With 22 years of experience, he has extensive expertise in tax and accounting services for clients. Thomas has been married for 24 years, has one child and two bulldogs. Outside the office and working with clients, he enjoys time with family and friends, hiking and exploring the mountains, travel and always loves good food and whiskey.

Darla Chappell, CPA, is a Tax Partner in our Floydada, TX location and works with several CMMS offices in Texas and across ATLAS. With over 35 years of experience in preparing individual, partnership, corporation and trust tax returns, Darla is also a member of the Texas Society of Public Accountants. Her husband has farmed for many years and she has extensive experience in working with farmers, tax planning and the tax laws associated with agriculture.

Ray Pendergast, CPA is a Tax Partner in West Texas (our CMMS locations). As a Certified Public Account, he has more than 37 years of experience working in a variety of sectors including education, research, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and wealth-management. He enjoys working in partnership with his clients to maximize their position through the use of quality financial, accounting and tax information. When Ray is not working, he can be found in the company of family and friends.

Barb joined ATLAS as a Partner with the merger of our Longmont, CO office. She earned her Bachelor of Science with a Major in Accounting from Colorado State University in 2000 and has been engaged in the practice of accounting since 1995. In 2002, Barb founded the former firm with her mom, Mary Naud. Since then, the firm joined ATLAS in 2020. Barb is a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs and the AICPA. In addition to her expertise in tax planning, preparation and accounting for individuals and small businesses, Barb has years of experience in performing non-profit and government audits. Barb has three children—two girls and a boy. She is an active volunteer at her kids’ schools and loves traveling, camping and skiing with her family and friends

Tyler Scott is joined ATLAS as part of a merger with our Cincinnati locations. He strives to cultivate clients’ success through delivering exceptional accounting and advisory services. No matter the size or type of clients, all receive a promise – we will understand your priorities and solve problems together. This philosophy and personalized attention have enabled the firm to expand in the Cincinnati area, and others, serving a full array of accounting services to a diverse mix of businesses and families. Tyler has a passion for coaching owners of closely held businesses. He thrives on supporting their financial wellness and finds great satisfaction when those relationships spawn referrals to other individuals, a true measure of being a trusted advisor. Tyler has grown his breadth of financial knowledge by moving through roles in these functions since he joined the former firm in 2009, forming the basis for business advisory expertise. Tyler is a life-long resident of Cincinnati and a graduate of The University of Cincinnati. He has a natural curiosity about applications of math and science in the world around us, and enjoys relaxing on a golf course or listening to his extensive music collection.

Katrina Owens, CPA, joined the rank of ATLAS Partner in January 2022 as an Audit Partner out of the Amarillo, TX office. Prior to joining the Amarillo office, she was in private accounting for 11 years. With 22 years of experience, she has extensive experience in auditing and accounting. Katrina completed her degrees in Bachelor of Business Administration and her Master of Professional Accounting at West Texas A&M University. She currently lives in Amarillo with her husband Dustin. When away from the office, Katrina enjoys traveling with her husband and son and spending time with family and friends.

Thomas N. Gearhart, Jr., a practicing CPA for almost forty years, has focused on helping his clients achieve their objectives and keep more of what they earn. Thom is a Partner and manages ATLAS full-service locations in Woodland Park and North Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thom has published articles in regional publications and is frequently asked to speak on a variety of topics. He is a Certified Tax Strategist (CTS), a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives (FACMPE) and is a member of the Medical Group Management Association, American Institute of CPAs, Colorado Society of CPAs, holds active CPA licenses in Colorado and Illinois, and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He is an avid racquetball player. Thom graduated from Brigham Young University in 1977 earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Thom and his lovely wife Teresa have eight children and twenty-five grandchildren.

Before joining ATLAS CPAs and Advisors, Nancy Rix led the Dickerson Rix and Company team in the area of audit and assurance with 30-plus years of public and private experience. In 2002 she and LouAnna Dickerson partnered to create Dickerson Rix and Co. Nancy grew the audit side of the practice at Dickerson Rix, adding both nonprofit and for-profit clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to private practice, Nancy spent five years as a Senior Manager and then Director with Ernst and Young, LLP and PriceWaterhouse Coopers, LLP, respectively, in their Chicago based specialty transaction services groups. She led world-wide buy-side and sell-side engagements in a variety of industries. Her clients included financial as well as strategic buyers and sellers. From 1992 to 1994, she was Assistant Controller for a publicly owned manufacturing firm and was responsible for SEC filings, banking relationships and internal reporting. Early in her public accounting career, she spent two years working for the CFO of Bank of America as a technical analyst responsible for dealings with the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Nancy began her career in 1984 as a member of the audit staff of Arthur Young and Company. There, Nancy serviced large multi-nationals and high technology corporations.

Lou Anna Dickerson was the founding partner of Dickerson Rix and Company. She has 40-plus years of experience in the accounting field, primarily serving closely held corporations and high net worth individuals. LouAnna gained her experience working in the tax department of the predecessor to Deloitte and Touche, LLP, Touche Ross and Co. She also served both publicly owned multi-nationals as well as closely held corporations. She has been the tax manager for a Fortune 500 company. She was a tax manager with a large regional firm in Cincinnati, Ohio, counseling clients on a broad range of issues, including divestitures, acquisitions and compliance. In 1976, LouAnna began practicing as a CPA working for a regional firm in San Jose, California. LouAnna is an active member of the Rancho Bernardo Rotary Club, and she is past Treasurer for the San Diego Foundation’s Rancho Bernardo Satellite chapter and the Blue Sky Ecological Preserve Foundation.

Elaine K. Pressler, CPA/ABV, joined ATLAS as a Partner in our Akron and Canton, Ohio offices in January 2023. She has more than 30 years of experience in the practice of Public Accounting, with areas of expertise in small business advisory services, business and individual tax return preparation, business valuations, firm management, and more. “I enjoy helping small businesses with many diverse issues, and getting to know my clients’ needs so that I am able to help them on their business journey, while saving their tax dollars.” Elaine graduated with a BA from Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, with triple majors of Accounting, Finance, and Business Management. In addition to having her CPA (Certified Public Accountant), she has also earned and maintained her ABV licensure (Accredited in Business Valuations.) Elaine first developed an interest in accounting during a high school course. She enjoyed the class immensely, and excelled quickly. Her love of accounting only deepened as she pursued higher education, and a career path devoted to accounting services, and fulfilling the needs of her clients. Over the years, Elaine has worked in a variety of positions which contribute to her vast knowledge and expertise in business, tax, and accounting. She spent 15 years in finance in the life insurance industry, as a controller, CFO, and operations principal. She then owned and operated E.K. Pressler & Co. CPAs, her tax and accounting practice in Ohio, for many years before joining forces with Shields-Blice. As a principal at the firm, Elaine worked alongside the well-respected owner, Scott Shields, for nearly 10 years. Shields-Blice merged with ATLAS CPAs & Advisors PLLC in 2022. Upon Scott’s retirement, Elaine was asked to step in as Partner for ATLAS’s northeastern Ohio offices. As a Partner of ATLAS, Elaine seeks to serve those around her – whether that be her clients, her staff, or her peers. It is her passion to help others, find answers, and pursue growth. Elaine places a high value on client relationships, communication, and serving her clients’ unique needs as best she can. She spent many years working alongside auditors, attorneys, investment professionals, bankers, and more; and several years working with regional CPA firms. She understands the importance of having connections that serve her clients. There are many areas of expertise that can be found within ATLAS. By having a direct connection to these valuable resources, Elaine is able to expand the network she had already developed, to provide her clients with more holistic care. “My greatest joy in life is my family” – When away from the office, Elaine enjoys spending time with her 3 adult children and their families, including 3 grandchildren.